Gordon Brown...

[Futurama]

I've never been one for polotics, I actually laughed in my mums face when she told me to go and vote. For the British and those outside the UK alike; what do you think of Gordon Brown being the PM so far?

 

 

 

My personal opinion is, I can see him being a strong leader. Let's face it, most of us thought he was a bit of a pillock when he was in Tony Blair's shadow - picking his nose in the house of commons, being a constant moody git, etc. But after a few weeks in power my opinion of him has risen sharply, and i'm starting to believe he's exactely what we need - a strong, no bullcrap PM who tackles issues head on - especially his views on immigration, as he's on about sending 4,000 immigrated convicts home. I'm not racist, and i've a bunch of ethnic mates, but it baffles me how 4,000 foreign convicts were allowed into the country in the first place. 4,000 skilled people with a clean criminal record after jobs I can understand, but not convicts. Now i'm not kicking up a row about this subject in particular, but it's just an example of how I believe he could set things right in this country a little.

 

 

 

What are your views? :)

[angryjoe]

I pretty much agree with you although I have always liked him. He was the best treasurer that we have ever had and i believe he will be a solid pm aswell.

[1_man_army]

I've met him twice actually; he gave a speech at my old school building for an event then a year later opened the new building (this was around 3 and a half years ago). In fact where I am he's about alot because he's our contituency MP and because he's from a town quite near mine.

 

 

 

To be honest he just struck as a typical politician; quite controlled, somewhat defensive and evasive when cornered in debate but surprisingly affable and charming (which threw me offguard).

 

 

 

So far though I'd have to say he's done quite well. He was thrown in at the deep end with the attempted attacks on London and Glasgow (which Alex Salmond dealt with well also) but he came out of it looking like a strong leader. He's been surprisingly frank in his foreign relations - there was a lot of strong 'diplomatic' speak with Russia over refusing to extradite Lugovoy and again that made him look good.

 

 

 

That being said there are alot of things I disagree with him on; his stance on an independence referendum (which is inevitable), his attempts to re-classify cannabis (which I think won't help tackle drug abuse and won't hurt dealers) as well as his plans to re-evaluate the super-casino issue (which would mean that millions would now be wasted on a scheme that never makes it to fruition).

 

 

 

I'd try to give a more comprehensive discussion of his policies and what I like/dislike about them but I only got 4 and a half hours sleep last night so I'm going to have a siesta(sp?).

[Ginger_Warrior]

TBH, it baffles me why Scotland feels a need for its own independance. It has so much more gain from being part of a bigger Britain than being on its own. This will in turn damage your economy, and make Alan Salmond look like a complete idiot for even suggesting the idea. If I'm perfectly honest, the whole issue of independance has little logic to it, and was just a gimmick for the SNP to get into power. It actually worries me you elected a nationalist party into power... deeply. :|

 

 

 

The left is need for a strong leader. Someone who will be seen to actively question the right-wing conservatism of America. I actually think it's this that's hurt the Labour Party most. It almost seemed like Tony Blair has right-wing when he got along with Bush so well. The way that Brown looked much more comfortable with the Un than he did with Bush's antics in the golf buggy will go down well with a lot of left-wing voters, who were previously disillusioned to the Liberal Democrats after the almost blind cooperation with Bush.

 

 

 

As for the Tories, he's dealt with them incredibly well. Pushing on issues like drugs, which Cameron simply doesn't feel comfortable with. He may not be good at PMQs, but that really doesn't matter anymore. After the Blair era, and looking at how Cameron's gimmecky approach to policy has backfired massively, I think it's fair to say people are fed up with that side of politics. The fact is the Tories can't take Labour at a General Election. In fact, I actually think the Labour party's actually gaining in popularity, something which hasn't happened to a government since WWII.

 

 

 

So, all in all, I think Brown, and the Labour Party in general, is doing a fantastic job at this moment.

[1_man_army]

1)TBH, it baffles me why Scotland feels a need for its own independance......

 

 

 

2)The left is need for a strong leader......

 

 

 

3)As for the Tories....

 

 

 

 

 

 

1) I really don't want to take this post off-topic (which is why it was a single sentence in my first post) but what I will say without throwing the thread in another direction is that the independence movement isn't fundamentally about what is to gain/lose from being a nation, it's more to do with choosing completely our (our as in Scotland's) own in path in the world rather than being lead by what alot of Scots consider another nation.

 

Calling independence an SNP gimmick is baseless when you consider that it is, and always has been the key principle of the party rather than a new flashy election-run policy. The economic issue is a rather contentious one, Labour lost alot of credibility during the election because of their 'creative' accounting and their innability to trash every SNP policy without making clear their own - politics should be about what you can do for the nation instead of blasting everybody elses ideas.

 

 

 

2) I think Brown is already somewhat distancing himself from the Bush administration. I noticed in his speech in Washington he said they had "full and frank discussions" which is diplomatic speak for "we had a disagreement." To be honest though there's no need to do anything drastic an relation to USA just yet as there will be a new administration in place in a while so it's probably best to just hold out untill then and not rock the boat too much.

 

 

 

3) The Tories are done, the 'Cameron Effect' was just a little honeymoon period for them while Blair was drowning in Iraq and the cash for peerages scandal, in that time they made gains because of Blair not Cameron.

 

The problem for Cameron is that he is too like Blair, all PR and spin but with little or no conviction who the public will ultimately see as yet another cynical leader who will do all he can to get elected. What were the Tories thinking electing him, people are sick of Blair and the go and elct his clone. Cleaner, greener, caring, sharing Conservative Party - don't make me laugh.

 

 

 

 

 

edit - I hate all this numbering rubbish but I needed to form my post so that it was clear what I was reffering to.

[Bubsa]

Distancing himself from Blair's last 18 months has instantly won him many friends, obviously. Let's be honest though, during the Labour glory years (97-01), Brown was pretty much running the country anyway.

[Echofish]

He went to my school to play tennis in a suit, what a guy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope he won't end up being glued to Bush like Blair did.

[Bobbington]

It's a shame that we have lost him as a chanceler, I have to admit he was darn good for our economy......

 

 

 

However I am not casting judgment on him as a PM yet, he seems a bit left wing to me though. I personally think the country needs a short blast of right wing polotics to straighten it out..... Brown cant delive it.

 

 

 

I am also annoyed at him for giving Ruth Kelly another job..... She is one of my local MP's and is awfull! brown put her in charge of Transport...... she cant even drive!

[Harrington]

I really like Gordon Brown. He's pretty hardline, but that's exactly what this country needs right now.

 

 

 

A lot of people are moaning as he's the leader unelect, but do we care? Seems like he's doinga great job, and his polices are solid. What's the alternative... the Tories? I think not.

[Ginger_Warrior]

I really like Gordon Brown. He's pretty hardline, but that's exactly what this country needs right now.

 

 

 

A lot of people are moaning as he's the leader unelect, but do we care? Seems like he's doinga great job, and his polices are solid. What's the alternative... the Tories? I think not.

 

Lol... I actually find that argument funny since we at no point elect a leader in this country. The party who has the most confidence of the House of Commons elects their own leader, and then (s)he becomes Prime Minister, not the other way round.

[ltb2006]

I think he could be a good pm. He knows what he is doing,has been in the cabinet a while too so hopefully he can put some things right.

[megakiller32]

Although he hasn't done anything wrong yet, i have a bad feeling about him.....

[Potter_Pkr]

I quite like Gordon Brown. However I feel that he has had a hard start ever since becoming PM. The floods happening over the UK, the conflict between Russia & UK (something about expulsion of some people from the country?), and some other events which I can't remember :|

 

 

 

But, I think he'll do a great job.

[angryjoe]

Although he hasn't done anything wrong yet, i have a bad feeling about him.....

That's because your an idiot that listens to everything you see on TV. :P

[baron8000]

He's better than Blair, then again... well I won't for labourites sakes'

[Bubsa]

I really like Gordon Brown. He's pretty hardline, but that's exactly what this country needs right now.

 

 

 

A lot of people are moaning as he's the leader unelect, but do we care? Seems like he's doinga great job, and his polices are solid. What's the alternative... the Tories? I think not.

 

Lol... I actually find that argument funny since we at no point elect a leader in this country. The party who has the most confidence of the House of Commons elects their own leader, and then (s)he becomes Prime Minister, not the other way round.

 

 

 

I think he's talking in regards to the lack of a leadership race and/or vote for the Labour party.

[Bobbington]

I really like Gordon Brown. He's pretty hardline, but that's exactly what this country needs right now.

 

 

 

A lot of people are moaning as he's the leader unelect, but do we care? Seems like he's doinga great job, and his polices are solid. What's the alternative... the Tories? I think not.

 

Lol... I actually find that argument funny since we at no point elect a leader in this country. The party who has the most confidence of the House of Commons elects their own leader, and then (s)he becomes Prime Minister, not the other way round.

 

 

 

I think he's talking in regards to the lack of a leadership race and/or vote for the Labour party.

 

 

 

Also no matter what we are meant to do a large percentage of peopel vote for who they want to be prime minister and not who they actually want to elect...... to a certain extent I put though into that side of it too.

 

 

 

Anybody even noticed the Monster raving luney party have some actual good polocies? :P

[Ginger_Warrior]

I really like Gordon Brown. He's pretty hardline, but that's exactly what this country needs right now.

 

 

 

A lot of people are moaning as he's the leader unelect, but do we care? Seems like he's doinga great job, and his polices are solid. What's the alternative... the Tories? I think not.

 

Lol... I actually find that argument funny since we at no point elect a leader in this country. The party who has the most confidence of the House of Commons elects their own leader, and then (s)he becomes Prime Minister, not the other way round.

 

 

 

I think he's talking in regards to the lack of a leadership race and/or vote for the Labour party.

 

The Labour Party had a leadership contest... no-one else was strong enough to run against Brown. I don't really see a problem with that, unfortunetely the Daily Mail does, but I didn't see them complaining when Tory Prime Ministers have come into power in a similar fashion.

[mrmyk]

gordan brown does seem quite good i have to admit. Subtle moves like wearing a suit when George Bush wanted to wear casual and then forcing Bush to wear a suit as well show him as a good leader.

[Bobbington]

[hide=quotes]

I really like Gordon Brown. He's pretty hardline, but that's exactly what this country needs right now.

 

 

 

A lot of people are moaning as he's the leader unelect, but do we care? Seems like he's doinga great job, and his polices are solid. What's the alternative... the Tories? I think not.

 

Lol... I actually find that argument funny since we at no point elect a leader in this country. The party who has the most confidence of the House of Commons elects their own leader, and then (s)he becomes Prime Minister, not the other way round.

 

 

 

I think he's talking in regards to the lack of a leadership race and/or vote for the Labour party.

[/hide]

 

The Labour Party had a leadership contest... no-one else was strong enough to run against Brown. I don't really see a problem with that, unfortunetely the Daily Mail does, but I didn't see them complaining when Tory Prime Ministers have come into power in a similar fashion.

 

 

 

What is that that the Daily mail doesnt have a problem with! :P

[StrOwez]

I like him, he seems to know where he stands.

 

 

 

Also his voice is powerful 8-)

[Bubsa]

[hide=quotes]

I really like Gordon Brown. He's pretty hardline, but that's exactly what this country needs right now.

 

 

 

A lot of people are moaning as he's the leader unelect, but do we care? Seems like he's doinga great job, and his polices are solid. What's the alternative... the Tories? I think not.

 

Lol... I actually find that argument funny since we at no point elect a leader in this country. The party who has the most confidence of the House of Commons elects their own leader, and then (s)he becomes Prime Minister, not the other way round.

 

 

 

I think he's talking in regards to the lack of a leadership race and/or vote for the Labour party.

[/hide]

 

 

 

The Labour Party had a leadership contest... no-one else was strong enough to run against Brown. I don't really see a problem with that, unfortunetely the Daily Mail does, but I didn't see them complaining when Tory Prime Ministers have come into power in a similar fashion.

 

 

 

What is that that the Daily mail doesnt have a problem with! :P

 

 

 

Well said, sir. Well said.

 

The leadership contest didn't get anywhere near the stage the vice-leadership did, I think that was the OP's grievance.

[cryztalwing]

The new European Union Treaty has been designed to "keep the advances" of the old constitution "that we would not have dared present directly", a senior Brussels figure has admitted.

 

 

 

Hans-Gert Poettering, president of the European Parliament and a close ally of the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, made the admission in a letter to Val̮̩̉̉ry Giscard d'Estaing, the architect of the discarded EU Constitution.

 

 

 

Mr Poettering stressed that the new treaty, while complicated, would preserve the constitution by a different, more indirect method.

 

 

 

Responding to the claim, Mark Francois, the Conservatives' spokesman on Europe, said: "Hans-Gert Poettering has exposed the cynical fraud Gordon Brown is trying to foist on the British people.

 

 

 

"All Mr Brown's talk about trust and consultation will be uncovered as pure spin if he does not keep his promise to give the British people the final say in a referendum." Adding to the criticism of the Government yesterday was a Labour MP who helped draw up the EU constitution, which was rejected by French and Dutch voters two years ago.

 

 

 

advertisementGisela Stuart, MP for Birmingham Edgbaston, told the Commons it was "extremely misleading" to suggest that the Treaty gave more power back to member states than the abadoned constitution.

 

 

 

She added: "If we are so confident that it is good, we should have the confidence to ask the people."

 

 

 

ÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ãââ Some 25,550 people have now signed up to The Daily Telegraph campaign for the British people to be given a say on the treaty. This includes 15,878 readers who have returned the cut-out coupons.

 

 

 

http://prisonplanet.com/articles/july2007/280707EU.htm

[Antrune_II]

Have all of you completely forgotten the pensions crises this tool has got the country into? Borrowing billions from pension funds which now leave the majority of us (young people) having to save for our pensions because Brown is too idiotic to finance the country.

[Ginger_Warrior]

Have all of you completely forgotten the pensions crises this tool has got the country into? Borrowing billions from pension funds which now leave the majority of us (young people) having to save for our pensions because Brown is too idiotic to finance the country.

 

What? I'll admit that it is a crisis, and it's not exactly something I'd expect from the Labour Party of all politcal parties, but isn't the whole idea that we are supposed to put money into our pension funds anyway? We wouldn't need to have state pension funds if young people weren't so idiotic not to put money in them in the first place.

 

 

 

Also. The longest period of sustained growth since the IR, sustained for ten years. Added to that all the other financial help he has provided impoverished or poor families in the UK. I think it's slightly unfair to say he's too idiotic to finance the country...