RickInOz

It is a sad day indeed. The inevitable has happened and now it seems Gordon is destined to move next door in June.

Whatever happened to democracy? The Labour party was founded on a priniciple of representing the working class and common person. A core tenet was it’s role in providing a voice to those it represented. The current lack of competition for the party leadership smacks of the worst kind of hereditary system that socialists are supposed to abhor.

Jack Straw was quoted as saying it was great that the party had united around Mr Brown. I suspect a more likely reason why there are no challengers is that the cabinet and other ministers are scared of losing their portfolios, and have come to a tacit agreement with him. While Labour MPs were happy to keep quiet, there may have been a different attitiude from the unions and other party members. Many of the chancellor’s policies have alienated and marginalised the party left. Unfortunately we will never know who the wider party would have voted for, as the sycophantic MPs ensured that they never had a say.

This might not be the disaster it first appears. To give Tony credit, he is charismatic, at ease with others and has been a good ambassador for the country. By comparison Brown is introverted, sullen and always looks uncomfortable at meetings and conferences. He is far less adept at handling the media, and doesn’t have the same charm that Blair used to deflect difficult questions. The final nail in his coffin may be Brown’s inability to separate himself from mistakes made earlier in Labour’s tenure. He still represents the worst excesses, spin and sleaze that have plagued the government. He will also regret his wholehearted support for the Iraq War as the situation in that country slides further and further into chaos. Next year George Bush leaves the Oval Office and Brown will find himself increasingly isolated if a Democrat wins the presidential race.

Regrettably Labour will likely remain in power as David Cameron has failed to capitalise properly on their mistakes, and despite some early popularity, is not getting the widespread support he will need to seize power. It is a bad indeed to be British.