Go for it Gord!

Regular Taverners may well smile at this blog entry, but a week is a long time in politics, and three is an eternity. Of course, I could simply delete the critical, cynical entry I wrote on Gordon Brown, twenty days ago but that would smack of a Stalinist style airbrushing of history, which I do not currently subscribe to.

Gordon Brown single handily won me back to The Labour fold with a brilliant inspiring party conference speech. Surprisingly, Brown finally convinced me that Labour is a party worth staying in and fighting for. Any remaining bitterness by us Blairites, was finally erased yesterday. It is clear to anybody remotely interested in politics, that Brown is a very ruthless operator, machiavellian even (hence his involvement in the attempted coup of 2006) but yesterday, we finally saw the real,decent,caring Brown.

His tough no nonsense attitude as Prime Minister is clearly what Britain needs. Social decency harking back to his church upbringing, a new emphasis on personal responsibility, a tougher emphasis on tackling crime, and a refreshing candour and humility. The way he talked about how the NHS saved his sight was actually quite moving.

I used to love Tony Blair's electric showman conference speeches, but I thought Brown's 1st one as PM yesterday mightily impressive. It was free of rhetoric, free of Tory bashing but refreshing in its honesty. His attitude on world affairs, recalled the ethical foreign policy once championed by the late Robin Cook. It was good that he recommited Labour to being the champions of education and The NHS. Tony's Legacy safe in his hands. It was a great day to be a Labour Party member.

Who would have thought that after such a baptism for the new Prime Minister which included terrorism, floods, foot & mouth and Northern Rock that Labour would be in such a strong position. Full credit to Gordon again. With such strong poll ratings, and the refocus on tackling crime (which let's face it is out of control) this formidable new PM can help consign Cameron's hapless Tories to the dustbin of history.

When Brown finished his speech with "I won't let the British people down" - I was cheering. My interest in our countries' politics restored. Come on Gordon, make that election November 1st 2007. We will never have a better chance. I'm taking my red rosette out of my drawer, and placing it on my blazer in anticipation!

A Scandal In The Algarve

Surely Not the Head Of Portuguese Detection?

Perhaps this is too lightweight a forum to address such horrendous matters but this has got me really really mad, and presumably most other people from The United Kingdom. (Although there are of course, a few cretins out there saying there is no smoke without fire and siding with certain factions)

It is clear, there is a cover up being attempted by certain factions in Portugal, in trying to frame the McCanns. Heaven knows why, but this is what is happening. I have a great liking for the Portuguese people, having spent several excellent holidays there. I hope the ordinary Portuguese people make it clear that they are not willing to swallow this disgraceful scandal.

The devastation on Kate McCann's face, clutching her missing child's toy on the beach, looking like her life is forever destroyed is good enough for me. I will take that on face value, and so should any other sane person with a heart. Would a devout Catholic (and I am in no way religious) go and meet their spiritual leader, The Pope and ask for his prayers in finding her, if she was culpable? I think not.

Of course I could be wrong but I doubt it. The most ridiculous thing is that The Certain Factions are saying that the McCanns accidentally killed her and then covered it up. If there was a tragic accident, Surely a couple as affluent, clever and wealthy would have gone straight to the authorities and reported it. At the very least, they would have contacted the British Embassy in Portugal. Accidents can and do happen all the time, you do not immediately start acting like you are in a tawdry Hollywood movie.

This attitude of certain factions in wanting an open and shut case simply beggars belief. Creating a grotesque melodrama out of an appalling case is contemptable. And all the time the world looses focus on the only important thing, finding poor Madeleine.

Over to you, New Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, say that the UK will not make the McCann's stand trial, and refuse extradition. This can no longer be tolerated. Have The McCann family not suffered enough?

Brown = The New Grey?

Gordon.....

Gordon again ?

Welcome back Taverners. Apologies for the long delay in Posts. I have not enjoyed the best of summers due to an intense bout of local difficulty. Infact, apart from an excellent trip to Greece and Cricket trips with the boys, it has been hellish. I have not felt much like blogging.

Well, what first to address...my view on The Brown Government and the current state of British politics in general. Okay, here goes....Yawn, Yawn and Yawn again.

Brown is doing an admirable job as PM and will win the next General Election. Regular readers of this blog, will know that I think Cameron is a first class twit. This summer, he has surpassed even my expectations. Utterly clueless, inept and vacuous. Dopey Dave, and his even worse party are doomed.

However for the first time in my life, I find it a real struggle to remain interested in politics. Boris Johnson running for Tory Candidate for London Mayor will be a fun sideshow but the main event is a non starter. Providing Darling doesn't bugger up the economy, the General Election is already won.

Brown and Co have rewound the clock and returned British politics to normal. Like it was pre Thatcher. Worthy but dull Bank Manager types running the country with even their obligatory liaisons dangerous conducted well away from the media glare. I hated Thatcher with an absolute passion, but at least, politics in the eighties was always incendiary and interesting. How can leaders such as calm and stable Brown, and clueless shallow Cameron fire up their foot soldiers? The struggle is in danger of dying.

In the light of Brown's succession to the political throne, it is clear how Labour and the country misses Tony Blair. His constant presence in the 24 hr media simply demanded your attention. Like him or loathe the man, nobody could deny his sheer power. It was sexy politics.

Compare and contrast Brown's first hundred days to Tony Blairs and you get what I mean. Haven't seen Noel Gallagher and the rest of the Cool Britannia hierarchy rushing in for Champagne, or even tea with Gordon have we? You would be lucky to get Compo, Clegg and Foggy in there, such is the nouveau boredom.

I'm not being glib. In the media age, politics has to be full on, in your face, all of the time. Labour was mad to force Blair out, and with hindsight, equally mad, not to have elected David Milliband as his successor.

Brown is like a decent, competent version of John Major, he does the job, but does not, and will not, ever truly inspire like Blair did. I like Brown, and have confidence in him. He just has not got the vision thing. As any media savvy person will tell you, this is crucial for any political leader.

As for Labour itself, I still strongly believe in the principles of democratic socialism, its just that I find the political system within the party hard to stomach. Electing Harman as deputy when she bashed Blair countless times to get elected, was a watershed moment for me. Fairplay to Gordon for keeping her in her place. Maybe I have been a bit hard on him....

Although I will always, always vote Labour. I cannot confirm that I will remain a party member beyond my current subscription. Politics is no longer sexy for me. Time to move on.