Between Brown's coronation and crucifixion

Posted on Thursday 29th May, 2008

by Soni Daniel


I still have a June 30, 2007 edition of The Economist, whose cover welcomed the new government under the headline of "Brown's Coronation." The magazine predicted: "Gordon Brown has the makings of a disappointing prime minister-and also of a fine one." It did not end there. It predicted that the PM was going to lead his party to a defeat.

I cannot say if Brown’s media aides read that edition of the magazine or if they gave him any advice on how to prove the prophecies wrong.

As it stands, it doesn't seem like Brown has done much to avert the disaster that is about to sweep him and his party off the comfort zone of 10 Downing Street.

With two straight electoral losses in a month, and a barrage of unresolved issues over taxes, Northern Rock, and the police threatening a protest over 2.5% pay, it appears as if the curtain is slowly but finally being drawn on Labour by the same people who set the stage for the party to mount the leadership stage last year.

The loss of the London mayoral post by Labour's Ken Livingstone on May 1 to the Conservative candidate Boris Johnson and the defeat of Labour's Tamsin Dunwoody by Tory Edward Timpson in Crewe and Nantwich on May 23 prompted one of the broadsheets to call it ‘Labour's wipeout'. Maybe. Or maybe not.

No doubt, Brown did well as Chancellor of the Exchequer to have kept the British economy in a healthy state for several years. But managing the treasury under someone else’s premiership is a completely different ballgame from leading the country yourself. Brown's previous successes have been blighted by his current blunders, one of which, is his waffling on the 10p tax that has alienated voters.

As a leader, Brown handled the electoral defeat with equanimity, while insisting that he remains the best hand to move Britain forward. That is how a good statesman should act, although it is clear that Tory leader David Cameron may be very close to defeating him, if it came to a general vote.

It is not the impending defeat of Labour by the Conservatives in general election that might haunt Brown for some to come, but the backstage furore by close associates would also hurt him.

Like someone on a hangman's noose, Brown's fate now hangs on how far he can appease voters and reduce the popularity of David Cameron in a short time. If he fails and the jeremiads against his performance continue, then the inevitable end could come faster than expected.

What is baffling is the speed with which Brown's coronation has turned into crucifixion, even before he spends a full year at No. 10. Perhaps someone with a political Midas touch could lend a hand to Brown before his party's fortune turns to dust.