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Gordon Brown today rejected persistent rumours that he could quit on health grounds, saying: “I'm healthy.”
The Prime Minister tried to shrug off doubts that he would stay to fight the next election, telling the BBC: “I'm fit. I run a lot to keep fit. Any hope that my health is a problem for me — I keep going, I have got a job to do.”
It was claimed at the weekend that Tony Blair and others think Mr Brown could retire before the election and cite ill-health. Asked about those claims in an exclusive Evening Standard interview today, former Home Secretary Charles Clarke said he hoped they would prove correct. Urging the Prime Minister to quit, he said: “I think his own dignity ought to look to that kind of solution.”
Mr Brown was also hit by the shock resignation of a government aide. Labour MP Stephen Hesford quit in protest that Baroness Scotland was allowed to keep her job despite being fined £5,000 for employing an illegal immigrant.
Mr Hesford was the PPS, or Commons aide, to the Government's law ministers, including Baroness Scotland herself. He said someone in her position should have resigned. He raised doubts about the Prime Minister's judgment in his resignation letter, saying: “I cannot support the decision which allows her to remain in office.”
Mr Brown was forced to tackle the leadership question in New York, where he was addressing the United Nations General Assembly.
In other interviews, the Prime Minister insisted he was “pretty determined and resolute” to carry on, adding: “I mean, for goodness sake, I wouldn't be having this interview with you if I wasn't determined to get my message across to the British people.
“I hope that people will see by my actions, the determination I have to work not just on behalf of the Labour Party but on the behalf of the British people.” Challenged to give a “cast-iron guarantee” that he will be leader at the election, he responded: “The issue at the moment is that the Labour Party has to take this country through a very difficult time and I think we'll be judged by results.”
He dismissed reports that Mr Blair dubbed him “a quitter, not a fighter” who might stand down at the last minute. “I don't think Tony Blair has ever said that,” Mr Brown told the New Statesman.
Asked about dire opinion polls showing Labour trailing and that he is no longer trusted by voters, Mr Brown told BBC 5 Live he was confident his ratings would recover with the economy. “I think the British people are a fair and decent people,” he said. “If you are sitting at home worrying about your job or the business you work for ... then you are going to suspend your judgment. I understand that. But we will prove over the next few months that we have taken the right decisions.”
But Mr Clarke, a long-standing critic, called on Labour ministers and MPs to confront the likelihood of a defeat under Mr Brown so severe that the party would not recover for years. “Are we just going to stand by and watch the whole Labour ship crash onto the rocks of May 2010 and sink for a very long time?” he asked.
Read the full exclusive interview:
Charles Clarke is in despair with his friends. Not because they keep on refusing to heed his advice and dump Gordon Brown but, he says, because they have given up.
“Some people are now just fighting a battle about what happens after we lose the election,” he told the Standard. “There's a fatalism there.”
He is talking about fellow modernisers, allies of former premier Tony Blair who have abandoned hope of winning the election next year and are reduced to manoeuvring to influence the manifesto for the election after that.
“They say prepare to battle for 2015, make sure the policies and leader are in place',” he continues. “I understand that but there will not be a 2015 if we get hammered in 2010. And on current show, we will be.”
Leaning back on the sofa in his cosily cluttered Commons office, Mr Clarke is in the familiar position of outrider and spokesman for those Labour MPs and ministers who think their party needs major surgery but are afraid to speak out.
His wake-up call is directed also at the Left, which he says never liked New Labour and sees the next battle as “to win control of the defeated Labour Party”. They are making, he believes a mistake that could harm Labour for a generation.
“You have a kind of joint view that it's all over,” he says. “That fatalism is absolutely suicidal for Labour. What makes it worse is that a lot of people in our party aren't facing up to how serious a defeat would be.
“I think we would be out for 10 to 15 years and forget what it was like for progressives during the Tory years under Margaret Thatcher.
“Those who believe there is some kind of pendulum where we go out this year and come back next are completely and utterly wrong.”
The former Home Secretary will tonight use a speech to the Blairite group Progress to argue that victory is still possible with a new strategy.
Arriving at his Commons den, he remarks that the Central line is running so much better than 12 years ago. But with improvements in policing and London secondary schools, he says, it is part of a story of Labour achievements that has been forgotten by voters post-recession.
Step one, therefore, is to explain what went wrong and admit to mistakes rather than reeling out statistics that are no longer listened to.
Step two is to sort out “the conduct of our politics” by imposing new rules on expenses by Christmas and agreeing new laws on party funding before that issue “comes back and bites us”.
Then, Labour must purge itself of “all those games and tricks and spin and manipulation which was symbolised by Damian McBride [the former No 10 aide]”. He adds: “There are still elements of it in our party.”
And most important, spell out a clear vision for the future. “People don't vote for the past,” he says. “But we are not showing the vision and strong leadership at the moment. We need to.”
His own suggestions are to focus on green issues, be forthrightly pro-Europe and set out reforms to improve public services. Then the party could start to put pressure on David Cameron's Conservatives who, he said, “haven't done remotely the level of work we did before 1997”.
Mr Clarke is not suggesting Labour retreat into a comfort zone of warm promises. Instead, he wants to be up- front about raising taxes and axing major spending items like Trident. The former Education Secretary who brought in tuition fees also makes the controversial case for co-payment, or user charges, for public services.
The stumbling block is a Prime Minister who, Clarke says, has convinced himself voters will eventually reward him for getting Britain through the recession, at which point the Tories will conveniently “implode” on internal divisions.
A chance to rebuild, according to Blairites, will come not at next week's party conference but when MPs assemble at the Commons on 12 October and ponder their chances of saving their seats.
Mr Clarke hopes rumours that Mr Brown might quit, perhaps claiming poor health, will come true. “I don't think Gordon will lead Labour into the next election. I think his own dignity ought to look to that kind of solution.”
Dramatically, he endorses rumours that London Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell was among ministers who came close to quitting on the night in June that James Purnell resigned, seeking to force Mr Brown out. “I have been told it is true, I'm not saying by who. I'm sure there were several.” Ms Jowell's spokesman has denied the reports.
Mr Clarke dismisses John Prescott's jibe that Mr Brown's potential rivals are all pygmies as “pathetic”.
“I think there are certainly four or five people in the current Cabinet who are capable of leading the party,” he says.
Mr Clarke's worries deepened over the summer with the Lockerbie bomber release, which he called “deplorable” and “morally wrong”.
“I was at the memorial service in Lockerbie and I remember it very, very vividly,” he says, sounding angry. “I also met Colonel Gaddafi in his tent as Home Secretary and I know exactly what kind of person he is. It brings the country into disrepute when you have the President of the United States phoning up and saying it is wrong. It was a breach of faith.”
Downing Street's reactions are continually behind the curve, he says. “The Downing Street operation is the weakest I've seen ever in my life.”
In addition, Mr Brown has failed to honour pledges given to the Parliamentary party in June to govern in a more open and collegiate manner, according to Mr Clarke.
“I said to the PLP that I believed he should go and I haven't changed my mind,” he says. “People have to make their judgments . . . and that certainly applies to members of the current Cabinet and MPs.
“Are we just going to stand by and watch the whole Labour ship crash on to the rocks of May 2010 and sink for a very long time. Or are we going to try and do what we can to stop that happening?”
Reader views (64)
It's about time Marr asked a slightly controversial question of a Labour MP as he is usually licking their boots. The question of Brown's health has been widely reported in the media and it is not only a matter of public interest but also a matter of great importanceand concern. Unfortunately Brown is never going to tell the truth and it is a bit thick that a corrupt politician called Lord Mandelson should get on his high horse and make derogatory comments about the BBC who, after all is said and done, is the propoganda mouthpiece of the government and will be campaigning on Labour's behalf at the next election.
- Roger, Winchester, England
I hope that brown and Bono walz of into the sunset together. They both have no idea of what it is like living in the real recession.They are both patronising and nasty pieces of work. So I want a general election now and I want Bono to leave the world stage and live his old age out tending to his garden.
- James Brown, London England
Kirsty, Dorset -
How fast the memory fades. Margaret Thatcher was most definitely far more unpopular (and deservedly so) than Gordon Brown.
- Peace Maker, Battersea
Runner? - he's the fattest runner I've ever seen.
- Adam, London
I have reached the conclusion that the sad, allegedly mad, infinitely bad womble currently cluttering up Downing Street with his paranoid spoutings, is to be seriously pitied, notwithstanding the fact that he is a very, very nasty piece of work.
"World Statesman of the Year"? Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!
Which does not say much for the rest of the rabble living in multi-million pound homes, whilst peeps are forced to live in poverty and who are afraid, just like peeps in the UK are.
Rumour has it that a space has been created in the House of Frauds for Gormless Brown - I suppose he will sit next to Meddleslime and Baroness Scotland, she who makes the laws for Joe Public and a different set of laws for Ladies, Lords and MP's.
No wonder 8,000 peeps are vacating the UK EVERY WEEK for a better life abroad.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe Compound, EUSSR
Crash Gordon quitting yes. Dignity never. And what a joke about naming him Great statesman of the year?!! Haha
- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London
Brown of course is typical Labour; never resign unless the situation is desperate. I want him to cling to office to asure us of the biggest election disaster of all time. Pity the country has to suffer in the meantime.
- Michael, London, UK
Pass the sick bucket please, Brown and that most over rated crooner of a 'rock-star', what's his name now? The mind boggles, it looks like they are about to have a full on Frenchy, how apt that the two should fade into oblivion together, not a chance though, Bono will be at every photo opportunity, preserving his massive, vacuos ego, while Brown will cling onto the nine month long crumbling cliff that is his last hand hold before political oblivion.
- William Ear, Waltham Cross
Gordon Brown "Statesman of the Year" HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!! Best joke I've heard for ages.
- Neil, London, UK
He's so dumb he doesn't even realise when people are giving him a chance to get out and save whatever respect he still thinks we have for him!!!!
AMAZING!
- St, London
It is a shame voters have such short memories but unsurprisingly liebour have only done what they did last time they were in power when we virtually had to go to the IMF on our hands and knees.
The vast increase in public sector workers since 1997 is unsustainable. We just do not have the tax receipts to pay for it and the exercise has repaid the party faithful for their years in the
wilderness.
Whatever party inherit this legacy is accepting a poison chalice. Labour need to go now and give us all a fighting chance of repairing their mess. Give us a general election now; afterall if brown thinks he is the right person and the public agree, he will be voted back in.
- Jonnie, Uk
I'm sick of both these applause junkies.
- William Isaac, London England
Doesn'tt say much for the other world leaders,if he's considered the best the others must be really bad
- Linda, italy
in honour of his performance, the Railway Museum in York have renamed a Steam Locomotive in his honour! THe Flying Scotsman will have the F removed!
- Gary, wycombe
Regretfully, eloquent that I have no doubt I am, I would not know where to start in summing up this appalling excuse for an individual.
Churchill must be spinning in his grave.
Whereas I was not previously convinced there can now be very little doubt that Brown is mentally unstable.
I only hope that this does not result in what would be wholly undue sympathy from the British Public.
- Chris Ridings, Bath, United Kingdom.
Looking at that picture of Gordon Brown and Bono, I'm not sure who I feel most sorry for for having to be anywhere near the other!
Both pompous, self-righteous, blinded by their own ego, both trying to change the world to fit their own agenda, both famous for entertaining crowds of sycophants! I could go on forever, so I think I'll just call it a stalemate.
- Steven, London
Brown has no dignity, no honour, is ill educated, vindictive because he isn't up to debate etc etc.
If he had dignity and honour, was better educated and through that reasonable, he would realise the mess he and his insufferable predecessor have made of this country, and would resign before he is kicked out next year.
- Anil Chatterjee, Manchester
Brown is a symbol of modern Britain. Temporary, extremely fragile and afraid of the future.
- Geoff Herbert, Melbourne, Australia
Anna SE9,
If Brown is a politician of integrity why did renege on his manifesto pledge to hold a referendum of the EU Constitution, why did he claim the UK is a good position to weather the recession when it obviously is not and why did he claim to have abolshed boom and bust when all he was doing was borrowing money and turning the UK economy in to something akin to a Banana republic.
- Andrew, Ely UK
Why doesn't Charles Clarke tell us who he thinks is capable of leading Labour to victory in 2010? Probably because he knows no such person exists.
- Austen, London
We are governed by donkeys
- Anthony, uk
“The issue at the moment is that the Labour Party has to take this country through a very difficult time and I think we'll be judged by results.”
But it was the labour party who put the UK into difficult times and you will be judged. You were the former chancellor who said "light touch" on city regulation, let them regulate themselves. You sold
half of Britain's gold reserves, 395 tones at apprx.USD200 10 years ago. Todays price is USD 1,000.
You created the boom that led to the bursting of the bubble.
- Frank, Copenhagen, Denmark
Mulling over my earlier post, the questions that arise are:
(a) What evidence is there of Brown's "courage in defending freedom and human rights"? These, if anything, have been significantly eroded during the time of Brown's unelected tenure in Downing Street!
(b)What "intellectual and compassionate leadership" was in evidence?
And so the mutual admiration society bandwagon rolls on...like a Breughel painting of peasants dancing into the Inferno!
- Edward Thompson, Bedfordshire
The vast majority of Middle-England are wondering what has yet to be unearthed about Blair, Brown, Mandelson and their cabal. Absolutely nothing is inconceivable with this lot of schemers. It is now cystal clear they are pure connivers where finance and economies are concerned and as for immigration control and crime and punishment just take a look at the composition of our prison population. Oh! and there still remains the mystery of Dr. Kelly.
- Robert Trigger., Hull, East Yorks.,
It's not clear who is being made World Statesman of the Year?
Bonio, for his atonal catawauling? Or Gormless Clown, for his masterful stewardship of the Good Ship UK Economy into the icefields of recession?
Either way, the readers of Nuts magazine should have known better.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, the Scottish one
The Fopdoodle from Fyfe defended by Mendacious Meddleslime. This is reality satire at its best!! Clarke is wrong, utterly wrong. Fopdoodle must stay where he is. He is the best form of entertainment since Smilin' Jim "Crisis, What Crisis?" Callaghan.
What is so sad is that there is no-one left in UK politics of any quality or character - just look at the LibDem clowns - a bag of ferrets would produce better policies. As for the Tories, well, quite. UKIP, BNP, Greens and the other raggle taggle failures of life - any ideas, anyone?
In my dreams, we have an Army Coup, clear out the Augean Miasma known as Westminster and start again. Sadly, of course, this cannot happen as the Fopdoodle from Fyfe has emasculated the (Dis)Armed Forces to the point where we are unable even to mount an invasion of Lundy Island and win....
- David Low, Cirencester, England
The myth thatBrown was a fine Chancellor has to be debunked. Consider this. In the period from 1997 to the time of the sub-prime crisis, how many Finance Ministers across the world screwed up? Apart from Zimbabwe's, none. you didn't have to be good to succeed. The conditions allowed it. What Brown brought to the table, with Blair's help, was a profligate government that has stood us in poor stead. Sorry, world, history will rate Brown and his NuLabour crew near the bottom of the class. The World Statesman of the Year? What a joke from the developed world's worst politician.
- Browned Off, London NW11
Come next June, Brown and NuLiebour will be wiped off the face of the earth.
- David, Fleet UK
Clarke has his own agenda and has been sniping for a long time now.
The Brown strategy is clear and though flawed he has no alternative.
Clearly the UK is recovering from recession and his hope is based on the opinion of the floating voters (not the majority that post here) the the plan is that he is seen as a better alternative to Cameron/Osborne...
the momentum is against him but the big difference between now and 97, is that then people moved to Blair and new Labour - now people seem to be rejecting Brown but there is no great confidence in the Tories and particularly Osborne. His crebility is seriously flawed. Even Cabel has looked stupid recently with an ill thought out plan for a property tax...
One question for Osborne and Cameron is whether they stick to their inheritance tax commitment in light of the current state of public finances...does anyone know the plicy on this?
- Martin_Clerkenwell, london
Anna, London SE9
"Brown is one of the few politicians of integrity left"
WHAT planet are you on Anna? Brown doesn't know how to spell the word "integrity" let alone practice it. I know he SAYS he "Saved the world", but if you believe anything Brown says then you really must have a very poor grasp of reality. Brown has "Spun" and lied so much over the last 12 years (as Chancellor and now "unelected" PM - remember he wasn't even elected as Leader by his own party)I don't think he'd recognise truth & integrity if it slapped him in the face. You might be proud to support him Anna, but I'm afraid you're in a VERY, VERY small minority - thank goodness!!
- Malcolm, London
Following next Junes general election, NuLiebour will be out of office forever.
- David, Fleet UK
He has to be the most hated Prime Minister in history....
- Kirsty, Dorset
I agree with the Bloke from Lambeth. -And who would Charles Clarke see as an alternative? -Himself? -Don't make me larf!
- Huggy, Cumbernauld Scotland
Hopefully Charles Clarke is underestimating Labour's wilderness years - I'm certainly hoping for more than 18 years this time!!
Who on earth dreamed up 'World Statesman of the Year'? Who on earth voted for the Scottish idiot?
- Robert Eve, Marlborough
I used to think that Labour would be unelectable for a generation, but now think it could be two.
- Phil Jones, London UK
Everyone is frightened of Bully Brown - physically frightened; and also frightened - physically frightened - of his whips like Nick Brown.
Those against Brown dare not act alone - they too need to be led - you have to understand - they are physically frightened !!! Until Mr Clarke brings this out nothing will happen - they are all frightened!
- Peter Brady, Buxton
The problem is for Brown or the Labour party to dump spin, that master of the dark arts Voldermort/Mandelson would have to go. And Brown sees him as saving his premiership! If some had had the courage to resign on mass, as was planned, then perhaps things might be different, but the trappings of office and the fact that Brown will cling to no 10 till he is dragged out still clinging by the fingertips, mean that the whole sorry mess will dumped for years.
As to any improvements, yes these we needed but Brown borrowed when times were good (not forgetting Enron accounting of PFI) and then says we can spend our way out of recession! Well the bills have to be paid, me and generaton to come will be paying them.
- Alister, Aberdeen uk
I think above all, that everything that could be said about Brown has been said here, one way or another. I am now so heartily sick of him, his Cabinet and New Labour that the next General Election cannot come quickly enough. That is the one time I get to "pull a trigger" legally and this time I won't miss!
That said, anyone of us who was in Brown's place, particularly with opinion polls being pretty awful and consistently so, would cling on to power in a Micawberesque-fashion, hoping for something to turn up. Not very dignified but there are so few MPs who actually know what dignity or integrity is, let alone show any signs of having it.
- Captain Black Of The Mysterons, London, England
I don't confess to being a fan of Mr Brown. However, I do feel a tad sorry for him. He jumped aboard a ship that was already sinking...
He has made some mistakes but I do feel he has tried his best in a 'no win' situation.
It's all very well saying he should quit but what are the alternatives? Which muppet are you confident about ?!
- Sanjay, Hounslow, UK
I don't agree that Brown should resign. On the contrary, I believe that he should be made to stay, so that the electorate have the opportunity to mark his report card and that of the Labour misadministration.
Allowing him to resign would be to allow him to do what he's done all his life - run from anything remotely resembling a fight. He's not known as Bottler for nothing
- Rainer Unsinn, Titting, Germany
Brown's biggest sin is that he is not show biz enough for present media tastes. He took all the right decisions last year and averted the the banking sytem failing and cash machines drying up and now even the CBI says we will be out of recession later this year. Brown is one of the few politicians of integrity left and I am proud to support him.
- Anna, London SE9
Who voted for Gordon Brown to be crowned World Statesman of the Year?
The man is an appalling, self deluded, dithering excuse of a politician - God knows what the other candidates were like if this sick joke of a man was the winner.
- Darryl, London
Mr Brown was presented with the award back in March 2009 at the British Embassy in Washington:
Presenting Brown with a silver honey bowl in the shape of an apple at the British embassy in Washington, the foundation's founder, Rabbi Arthur Schneier, hailed "your courage in defending freedom and human rights ... and also your key intellectual and compassionate leadership in these critical times, when financial upheavals raised societal tensions and international tensions".
There are obviously people who are completely blind to the shortcomings of Gordon Brown.
- Edward Thompson, Bedfordshire
'Gordon Brown embraces U2 star Bono after being named World Statesman of the Year in New York today'
Sorry to be bit slow, but which of this gruesome pair of egomaniacs was getting an award? Who voted? Nobody I know, for sure.
Congratulations on the sleazy photo, though: you can almost hear the slurping.
- Mdj E10, london uk
For all his millions you would think Bono could afford a decent hair colourist.
- Paul L, Glasgow
Brown may be bad, he may have his faults, but the sad fact for the British electorate is that the others on offer are far worse. The result of the next general election is by no means pre-determined.
- Bloke, Lambeth
Dignity is not something this joke of an unelected PM or his unelected cronies have as proved by Meddlesome Mandy or Baroness Scotland or whatever ridiculous title she "styled" for herself - although looking at her, style should not be used in the same sentence.
- David, soton
If Tony Blair becomes EU president,then the current Prime Minsiter's position would be utterly untennable. That's the tag for a Brown resignation,although of course he might only cite ill health or some such spinning fudge....
- William Grierson, Kimpton-UK
i could not believe the picture of u2 bono with the prime minister. apart from the millions bono earns for his self and so he spends a few bob here and there for his own ego why as he got to be with world leaders
other people give away millions and we never hear of them.
Do think he could have a decent operation to have those sun glasses removed must be very awkward in bed
- Terence Mccarthy, South Africa
Who on earth named him "World Statesman of the Year" What World is that? I once met Bono in his Hotel in Dublin and the only thing I noticed was his terrible hair dye job, Can you imagine those two on some rostrum in NY. One with pancack makeup and the other with silly hair.
- Marty, Swansea Wales
Exactly. Pa Broone should resign whilst he still has some dignity left, else we will see the same scenes when Thatcher leaving Number Ten in tears after being ousted by John Major. Mr Broone in tears throwing cell phones about after being ousted by Mr Ed 'balls' Balls, or Milipede.
Mr McRuin should think of his future. He has a young family to think about, before he is gurneyed out of Number Ten to be taken to a Funny Farm.
- Uncle Vanya, East Anglia Area UK
Hopefully that idiot Clarke stays out of politics to.
- Dave, london
Never mind..only 9 more months and the horrible useless Government will be consigned to history.
- Kev, st albans
"Brown should quit for his own dignity"
I think the answer is in the statement, Brown no longer has any dignity, he's ballsed everything up and is clinging on by his fingernails to the extent even his closest advisors seem to only be there under the maxim "keep your friends close but your enemies closer still".
- Bob, Cheam
@Robert Thornton
Tell me about it! I like U2 but I swear I am sick to the back teeth of seeing him with world leaders, being treated like he's an important diplomat or something.
- Kevin T, Beckenham, Kent
It has been rumoured that Gordon Brown may have a degree of Autism/Asperbers. If so Clarke's comment will soar over his head and Mandleson and Co are well armoured against taking notice of anyone else, public included.
- J Robertson, London
He's right and he's wrong. Yes, Brown is catastrophically inept and will preside over a major party electoral wipeout that will make Major's defeat look gentle.
However to blame that on Brown alone is to give him too much credit. The reason Liebour will disappear from the minds of sentient voters for at least a generation is because for 12 years they've delivered a masterclass in every kind of leadership failure: governmental, diplomatic, economic, social and moral. You name it...they've messed it up and then lied to obscure their failure.
Historians will assess their legacy as: 1 illegal war (Blair), 1 undermining of the UK constitutional structure, 1 successful disbanding of UK exam/syllabus integrity so that British qualifications are now meaningless, 2 reinstatements of a disgraced cabinet minister after 2 scandals (Mandy), 1 corrupt legislative deal (no tobacco ad ban on your industry if you give £1m to Labour), 2 corrupt legal enquiries (Dr Kelly suicide, suspended Saudi arms deal case), the total destruction of national pensions, and bankrupting the country for no reward through selling off gold supply, introduction of PFI etc. And finally alienating the US too.
We are in a political No Mans Land of Labour's making. The country voted in vacuous, PR-driven politicians with bogus ideas - now we reap the whirlwind and witness 9 months of a dying, flaccid and debunked government.
- David, London
I don't know what Clarke has ever offered as a member of Parliament. It will be a matter of complete indifference when he loses his seat at the next election. Perhaps his cosy clutter should be boxed up now in readiness so that there is no undue delay when he is thrown out of office.
- Peace Maker, Battersea
Interesting but who are the left who feel they can take control of the labour party after the elction John Mcdonnell, Jeremy corbyn?I can see Jon Cruddas or Ed Miliband doing deals with the Liberals and unting Compass and Progress, But the left are mistaken if they think theat teh public will warm to them after the election
- Jack, Upminster
At least Charles Clarke tells it as it is.
It is wholly apparent that, at long last, the penny has finally dropped in the House of Conmen, as hundreds of current MP's will be thrown onto the dole heap come the next general election.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe Compound, EUSSR
Yes for all of our sakes, Gutless Brown the liar and coward MUST resign on health grounds - Mental Health that is!
Coward Brown has shown himself to be a dithering,incompetent,spineless,gutless and morally bankrupt excuse of an (UNELECTED) sociopathic Prime Minister who is suffering from delusions of grandeur believing he "saved the world" and that public spending would "rise in 2011 by 0%".
I am disgusted with this megalomaniac's bullying and stubborn attitude - he is completely clueless as he has shown with this latest outrage regarding Baroness Scotland.
Has anyone noticed that Brown has dithered and remained cowardly silent for ages on SERIOUS issues like:
-Our brave soldiers dying in Afghanistan
-The release of the convicted mass-murderin terrorist (Lockerbie Bomber)
-Uncontrolled pan-EU immigration
-Prisoners in the UK being given outrageously lenient sentences
All this yet he comments immediately on :
- defending the smug law-breaker Baroness Scotland
- the death of pointless media grabber Jade Goody
- endless other inane media gimmicks which he thinks will show he is "in touch with the people"
GENERAL ELECTION.......NOW!!!!
- Daniel Howard, London, UK
Is Bono everyones groupie? He's a pop star for Christ's sake.
- Robert Thornton, Malaga, Spain
Only a generation? I think we are all hoping it will be longer than that.
- Ken, Bexleyheath
Bottler Brown "World Statesman of the Year?" Some sicko is having a laugh.
- Ted, London
