Home Thoughts While Abroad
While Gordon Brown (MP for Fife) stomps around South Africa somewhere - on some world economic development delegation.
Commentators at home are increasingly dismsissive about his chances of replacing Dominique Strauss-Khan as head of the Washington-based IMF.
Here's what Martin Kettle had to say in yesterday's normally Labour-friendly Guardian:
"If Gordon Brown were not Gordon Brown he might be, as he would like to be, the man for this hour. But Brown is unappointable. He has done nothing to cultivate the leaders whose goodwill and trust he would need. He is instinctively uncollegiate in a job that requires immense persuasive skills. And he can’t be trusted not to use the IMF as a bully pulpit against Cameron and Osborne.
A more intriguing UK outsider, in every sense – and absolutely guaranteed to have Brown chewing the carpet – is Peter Mandelson. China has asked if the former business secretary and EU trade commissioner would take the job. Mandelson is definitely interested. The coalition might be open to it too. Germany and France are another matter. Mandelson nevertheless ticks a lot of boxes."
Now Gordon Brown will be unhappy enough that he's considered an 'also ran' in the DS-K stakes, but he could soon be punching holes in the walls - if Peter Mandelson comes along and sweeps past him on the rails.
Maybe, just maybe - New Labour's 'dark horse' (aka Prince of Darkness) might be worth a flutter.
Commentators at home are increasingly dismsissive about his chances of replacing Dominique Strauss-Khan as head of the Washington-based IMF.
Here's what Martin Kettle had to say in yesterday's normally Labour-friendly Guardian:
"If Gordon Brown were not Gordon Brown he might be, as he would like to be, the man for this hour. But Brown is unappointable. He has done nothing to cultivate the leaders whose goodwill and trust he would need. He is instinctively uncollegiate in a job that requires immense persuasive skills. And he can’t be trusted not to use the IMF as a bully pulpit against Cameron and Osborne.
A more intriguing UK outsider, in every sense – and absolutely guaranteed to have Brown chewing the carpet – is Peter Mandelson. China has asked if the former business secretary and EU trade commissioner would take the job. Mandelson is definitely interested. The coalition might be open to it too. Germany and France are another matter. Mandelson nevertheless ticks a lot of boxes."
Now Gordon Brown will be unhappy enough that he's considered an 'also ran' in the DS-K stakes, but he could soon be punching holes in the walls - if Peter Mandelson comes along and sweeps past him on the rails.
Maybe, just maybe - New Labour's 'dark horse' (aka Prince of Darkness) might be worth a flutter.
