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!