(19.9.08 02:03) Great entry! I'm torn on this issue. I agree with you, the fact that we've ended up with Gordo as PM without any say, at any level, in the matter whatsoever is a shambles. However, I do also think that there is this growing ‘bash-Gordon’ camp that resembles a tabloid assault on Britney Spears. It’s getting rather sad. You say that Harriet Harman was defending the indefensible, but what exactly is the indefensible? Forgive me for my lack of understanding here, but what has this bloke actually done wrong which he is solely responsible for? I agreed with much of what that Simon Wolfson bloke (? – the Next Chief) said - a lot of the arguments against the PM are about his lack of character, charm and ‘visible’ leadership skills, when really, his whole camp is split and Labour have lost their way. The current economic situation is certainly not just Gordon’s fault is it? Could David Campbell or Nick Clegg magic away the popularity-dinting global “credit crunch”? I somehow doubt it; especially given it was the Tories who set us on this very long, privatised road to ruin that appears to have finally come full circle. I also agree with Harman’s point that now is certainly not the time for a change of leadership – without pin-pointing what it is that the PM has actually done wrong, there really is little point shaking up the leadership when we have global banks, brokers and god knows what else collapsing each week. I doubt very much that many people would want to oust a manager, company director or start playing hierarchy for the fun of it during such turbulent times in any organisation, so why in No.10? Of course, Gordo is unpopular at the moment, of course the polls show it…everyone wants a face to blame (quite literally, looking at your blog photo), but ‘the polls’ have long been saying that Starbucks is unpopular and I still (unfortunately) see plenty of people walking in there.

Rebecca / Website (19.9.08 13:03) Why at times of crisis do people always want to make rash decisions? I am no fan of Mr Brown, but I think kicking him out now would be disastrous. This is completely the wrong time for a new leader to come into power. Things will not magically get better because David Miliband, (or heaven help us David Cameron), are in change. Now is the time for people to bite their tongue, put their own ambitions on the back burner, and focus on getting this country back on an even keel.

amillionpieces / Website (19.9.08 17:12) I've been saying since Gordon assumed power that he should be gotten rid off, it should have never gotten this far. I agree there is a band wagon but there are also many people who've been calling for his head since before he even stepped up to the plate. It would be stupid for us now to stop and say "we've never rated you as a leader, lead us on." "Defending the indefensible" was a bad phrase, I just mean the way politicians deny the obvious all the time, they refuse to answer questions because they say they're not true, they deny facts, they put words in the electorates mouth and tell us what we think. Not just labour politicians they all do it and it's so annoying. As for things Gordon has done wrong: ten years of mismanaging an economy and window dressing it to look good; assumes control without being elected as anything other than MP for fife, then signs the Lisbon treaty - an unelected leader giving away power to a non democratic EU Council; He failed over Northern Rock and it cost us all; He's failed to show strong leadership; He was supposed to be an end to spin and lies, a man who'd stand on principle, yet he's shown none of that.

amillionpieces / Website (19.9.08 17:12) Yes, the economic crisis is global and not his fault, but his poor managment of the economy has not helped this and has left many people in a very bad situation financially. He promised an end to cyclical boom and bust yet he built an economy on silly amounts of debt so that when bust does come (and it always does) we're in a bad position to handle it. The worst thing, however, is that he is a divisive leader; You both rightly say (in as many words) that we need unity to face the present problems. This can never exist under Gordon Brown - It never has, and it won't suddenly start to happen, as long as he stays as leader we'll have a government paralysed by it's own divisiveness. I don't think anyone else can take over the Labour Party and fix the economy over night but I do think that a leadership election or a General election is required so that people can get behind someone with a mandate to govern.

Bun / Website (19.9.08 22:37) Agreed, he should be gone. He cannot represent this country properly, that's for sure. He is weak. In business he would have been a classic COO; but he patently can't do CEO. I loathe, hate, despise and invariably revile most of the current Labour party ministers. David 'the young pretender' Milliband makes me want to laugh; out loud. Harriet Harman should go the way all witches went in times gone by. She is singularly detestable. Hillary Benn is a nincompoop (was listening to him on R4 the other morning). Alistair Darling couldn't organise a piss-up in a brewery. Once upon a time we had 'statesmen'; these days, we don't. I am on countdown for this bunch of chancers to be voted out. How they hoodwinked people for so long is amazing (or maybe it isn't, Alastair Campbell and Tony Blair were responsible for that and with those two now out of the picture, the sham that is NewLabour is quite clearly exposed). Don't even get me started on their policies. All I know is the rich are richer and the division between the poorest and the wealthiest in this country is now greater than ever. They have ****ed up everything from immigration to education to the NHS to crime and punishment. You won't wonder why I spend half my time trying to emigrate from this country.

Olivia / Website (20.9.08 05:22) Good Lord, HE's still there???

Boso / Website (20.9.08 15:24) I've always been a Gordon Brown fan, and I think it's a shame what is happening. The man may not be David Cameron or Boris Johnson, but in these tough times, I'd rather have him at the helm, than either of those two. Yes, the Labour party is divided, but I feel Gordon is being attacked because maybe he isn't as charismatic, or media-friendly as Cameron. Will Labour lose the next election? Maybe, but let's not forget that just 12 months ago, David Cameron was the man under pressure, and Brown could do no wrong. A lot can happen before 2010. Will the Conservatives be a better option? Will Cameron do a better job as PM? HELL NO.

Boso / Website (21.9.08 15:07) Did you happen to see Gordon Brown's interview with Andrew Marr this morning? Now, imagine David Cameron doing that interview. Or even David Milliband. I still stand my belief that in these times of global economic turmoil, the man you want at the helm is Gordon Brown.

amillionmobilepieces (21.9.08 17:15) bun, agreed - I laughed so hard when Lavarov the Russian foriegn minister said what he did to milibland, shows exactly how the rest of the world view our foriegn secretary - I mean in a time of conflict would you want that dweeb calling the shots? Olivia, sadly!

amillionmobilepieces (21.9.08 17:24) boso, I just can't agree that he is the right man - he messed up as chancellor, he's sold us to the eu without the promised referendum and he's showed a crippling lack of leadership when We've needed it. I'm no Cameron fan but I think it's impossible to do worse than labour who have made our society a shambolic mess. He and Blair and their drones ruined the country I love. Thatcher was not popular and she wasn't spin and media friendly but she was a leader, Brown just doesn't seem to be.

Olivia / Website (21.9.08 20:12) Not a very democratic process if someone can just inherit an office and stay there in opposition to the public's wishes.

amillionmobilepieces (22.9.08 15:16) yeah, and worse than that were due an election next year but he can choose just not to bother and stay an extra year - we need fixed terms! Ps - sorry not getting to folkses blogs, am on holiday and only have phone access

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