Will 'the End of the Party' give Gordon Brown a Hangover?

22 February 2010

Andrew Rawnsley illuminates the character of Gordon Brown. Rawnsley's book claims that many episodes of bullying have taken place by the Prime Minister  towards colleagues and staff, and describes events as having been independently verified, suggesting that many more episodes occurred that have not been disclosed in the book. One example refers to a typist being pulled from her chair by Gordon Brown because she was not tying quickly enough, and a display where he grabbed Kelly, the deputy chief of staff, who had just announced that 20 million confidential records had gone missing on two computer disks, whereby Brown is reported to have said 'they're are out to get me'.

Rawnsley's account reminds us of the sudden re-surfacing of popularity for the Labour Government under Gordon Brown, in the aftermath of Tony Blair's resignation,  because of his handling of several high profile issues, such as the 7/7 bombings in London, severe floods and re-emergence of Foot and Mouth disease. So much so, he was advised to have a snap election to gain an authoritative mandate to govern on his own agenda. However the Prime Minister is said to have dithered and missed his opportunity.  Rawnsley, as a result of interviewing many witnesses, feels able to analyse that Gordon Browns time as chancellor allowed him to react once in possession of all the facts and this suited his hard working character, but was much less of an option in the role of Prime Minister where events require a fire fighters response, and that he has demonstrated himself to be indecisive and weak.

Rawnsley believes the that Tony Blair and John Majors mild mannerly demeanour meant that staff at number 10 were ill prepared for the abrasive and at many time rude and bombastic manner of Gordon Brown, the contrast casting him in an even poorer light. So when he dithered over the election, the honeymoon period of his premiership was over, and events which include: a U-turn on the 42 days detention for terror suspects; the Nationalisation of Northern Rock; and a series of council and by election defeats, especially in light of  knowledge that his cabinet colleagues were regularly plotting to oust him, it is hardly surprising when Rawnsley describes a man's whose behaviour appears paranoid and 'delusional' (who can forget the comment he made in parliament about 'saving the world' as a result of his decision making in regard to the banking collapse).  

The End of the Party is available by Viking on March 01, 2010. Look out for it here on find-book and pre-order today whilst stocks last, reduced to a bargain price of £15, from a recommended retail price of £25. Additionally you may be interested in Servants of the People: The Inside Story of New Labour, also by Andrew Rawnsley.

Source: The Observer in Scotland

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