tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27939552.post5446325805488594124..comments2023-11-02T07:54:22.317+00:00Comments on Unenlightened Commentary.: Why Gordon Brown Has Struggled.Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02263275229285861236noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27939552.post-29145197213600189652009-06-07T22:49:00.919+01:002009-06-07T22:49:00.919+01:00With those hyenas behind him with their stilettos,...With those hyenas behind him with their stilettos, is it any wonder he's buckling?James Highamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14525082702330365464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27939552.post-41355172195630713592009-06-07T18:05:59.136+01:002009-06-07T18:05:59.136+01:00The big difference between Susan Boyle and Gordon ...The big difference between Susan Boyle and Gordon Brown is that Boyle has faced the voters.Rosshttp://fountain.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27939552.post-19467227308435249402009-06-07T16:44:55.043+01:002009-06-07T16:44:55.043+01:00'Especially when everyone reinforces the hubri...<i>'Especially when everyone reinforces the hubris by agreeing with them'.</i>(Ross)<br /><br />I had resolved not to comment on the media car-crash that was Susan Boyle, but the analogy with Brown, although oft-repeated, is particularly relevant here. <br /><br />Without any proper vocal training, she did not perceive her limitations - how could she? - and consequently believed the media myth that she had a voice of the highest calibre.<br /><br />It suited the judges to pretend that she was truly exceptional, just as it suited Blair to show people that he was supported by a financial wizard - a Merlin to his King Arthur - in the Camelot of Cool Britannia.<br /><br />Brown fell for one of the biggest PR stunts of all time.Macheathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04451439759398780345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27939552.post-57125961912893208832009-06-07T11:27:34.560+01:002009-06-07T11:27:34.560+01:00"Its a dangerous thing when someone thinks th...<i>"Its a dangerous thing when someone thinks they are responsible for success when they are not. "</i>.<br /><br />Especially when everyone reinforces the hubris by agreeing with them.Rosshttp://fountain.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27939552.post-76230245305178826302009-06-07T11:26:10.938+01:002009-06-07T11:26:10.938+01:00"Ironically it might turn out that Brown real...<i>"Ironically it might turn out that Brown really did save the economy, but it'll be far too late for him to benefit."</i>.<br /><br />Yeah, I'm not convinced by the idea of spending even more money but if it does work then the beneficiary will be George Osborne who will then regard himself as an economic genius.Rosshttp://fountain.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27939552.post-26244918195028330272009-06-07T11:19:48.769+01:002009-06-07T11:19:48.769+01:00You've hit the nail right on the head - GB was...You've hit the nail right on the head - GB was lucky to become Chancellor just as the economy was starting to get going again after the early 90s recession. For political reasons he was forced to match Tory spending for 3 years. By then the economy was booming, and he could spend the proceeds, and more. Traditionally the UK economy would have hit the inflation buffers when a boom got out of hand, but Gordo got lucky again, with the China effect. Loads of cheap imported goods kept inflation down, and interest rates similarly.<br /><br />Basically a trained monkey could have run the UK economy in the years 1997-2007. Its easy when the money rolls in regardless of how much you spend. Gordon was regarded as some sort economic genius, when in reality all his tinkering made no difference whatsoever. If anything probably made things worse, as was found out when the tripartite regulation system failed to spot the dangers of Northern Rock.<br /><br />Its a dangerous thing when someone thinks they are responsible for success when they are not. It gives them a false reality. As we can see now with Gordo........sobersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27939552.post-25869628449835239552009-06-06T23:27:37.308+01:002009-06-06T23:27:37.308+01:00This is a good post. I stick to my Brian Clough/Pe...This is a good post. I stick to my Brian Clough/Peter Taylor view that Blair and Brown together worked well, and apart not, but your Finance Minister suggestion is not a bad one. Also, I'm not sure about Canada but in the UK there was a large constituency willing to believe the economy was doing very well, across the political spectrum. Ironically it might turn out that Brown really did save the economy, but it'll be far too late for him to benefit.Matthewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13214026669109045616noreply@blogger.com