Bully or not, Gordon Brown is Labour’s liability

Most Westminster observers agree that Gordon Brown has a temper, and that he loses it more often than, say, Tony Blair. The important point is what this says about Mr Brown's style as a leader: he is inflexible, authoritarian and resents criticism. That makes a difference to the way he governs. To take just one London example: Mr Brown bludgeoned through the Public Private Partnership scheme for the Tube, over the advice of civil servants, industry experts and the opposition of the Mayor. He simply refused to accept he might be wrong. Now that scheme is falling apart.

All the signs are that voters understand this is the kind of leader he is. Today's ICM poll puts the Tory lead at seven points, confirming the recent tightening of polls. That raises the possibility of a hung Parliament and is cause for concern for David Cameron: he should have gained much greater traction by now. Yet 42 per cent of those surveyed name him as their favoured Prime Minister, with just 28 per cent supporting Mr Brown. Even among those who voted Labour in 2005, only just over half favour the present PM. There is also evidence that the Tories are doing better in marginals than in national opinion polls.

The Conservatives have yet to convince voters of what they stand for and how — except for not being Labour — they would be different. But Mr Brown remains the crucial weakness of Labour's offer, and that cannot be a happy prospect for the party as it prepares its campaign.

Flight of fancy

There is an air of unreality to the strike plans at British Airways, heavily endorsed yesterday by cabin crew belonging to the Unite union. BA managed to avert a 12-day strike at Christmas after a court ruled there had been irregularities in the ballot. But the dispute continues, over BA's proposed reduction in the number of cabin crew, along with a pay freeze. While the union's position is perhaps understandable, it is deeply wrong-headed.

At issue is nothing less than BA's survival. Earlier this month, the airline reported third-quarter losses which take its total losses for the first three quarters of the financial year to £342 million; they follow heavy losses in 2008. It has been hit badly by the recession and has proved less quick to adapt than some competitors. It also has a £3.7 billion deficit in its two pension funds. It should be clear that the airline needs to cut its costs drastically.

Yet Unite has resisted the modest staffing reductions proposed by the company. Its members are already some of the best paid in the industry. Its first duty is to protect its members — but that becomes a nonsense if, in doing so, it damages or even destroys the business and their jobs.

A strike now could be devastating for BA, driving away passengers and investors. Unite should think again.

Cross with Crossrail

Crossrail is a vital project for London, and no one has been as vocal in their support for the Heathrow-to-Stratford rail link as this newspaper. However, as a London Assembly report warns, Crossrail's heavy-handed approach to evicting some businesses and residents in Soho, to make way for the Tottenham Court Road station, do the project no credit. London needs Crossrail — but there can be no excuse for treating those affected by this enterprise without respect.