What is striking about the process of the resignation of Hain in comparison with the way Blair/Campbell (Alistair that is) handled this is that the whole of the lunch time bulletins are full of Hain’s resignation and in a few minutes his speech outside his former Dept. Blair would have had the replacement announced before the bulletins could start running, thereby sending the message ‘right problem over let’s move on’.
It is not as if Brown hasn’t had time to think about this.
political commentator * author * publisher * bookseller * radio presenter * blogger * Conservative candidate * former lobbyist * Jack Russell owner * West Ham United fanatic * Email iain AT iaindale DOT com
Thursday, January 24, 2008
The Difference Between Blair & Brown: No 94
An email just received, which makes a very pertinent point...
Finkelstein is suggesting a comeback for Charles Clarke!
ReplyDeleteHa ha Iain a little slow off the mark but your blood is up now Tally Ho Harooo hoooo, the buggers have gone to ground
ReplyDeleteGrrrrrrr
As I have said before, for a man who has got to the top Brown is remarkably lacking in political skills.
ReplyDeleteAny minute now I expect some Labour sock puppet to say that 'funding is a problem for ALL political parties'.
"Brown is remarkably lacking in political skills".
ReplyDeletePerhaps he's not spinning quite as much as Blair/Campbell?
I find it extraordinary that Brown's announcement of an end to spin culture is derided, but as soon as there is evidence that the Campbell dark arts of media manipulation are no longer being practised, Brown is somehow characterised as inept in his press handling.
Iain, Brown hasn't had time to ponder Hain's replacement because he is too busy making videos for YouTube and going on Blue Peter.
ReplyDeleteYour emailer is right, you know Iain.
ReplyDeleteI'd even go so far as to say that under Blair the whole Government would've ridden it out, and convinced the police of how thoroughly they should investigate the matter, whilst constantly briefing that there was no point in the investigation and it would be biased anyway.
Hypothetically, of course.
One wonders why Blair was afraid of the incompetent ditherer for so long.
ReplyDeleteIf Bliar tickled my hound's ears they would wag their tails, If Brown tried touching them they would throw up.
ReplyDeleteEd said: "Iain, Brown hasn't had time to ponder Hain's replacement because he is too busy making videos for YouTube and going on Blue Peter."
ReplyDeleteThat was yesterday. Today he's gone from Blue Peter to having to deal with "Red" Peter...
Brown is shown to be a wish-washy vacillator, a bottler, in dealing with Hain; he should have been a touch more robust.
ReplyDeleteIs it a sign of Campbell's abscence? lack of decent advice to a man who knows all? or more sinisterly has Hain got something on Gordo the Ineffectual? shared use of the Tango bottle perchance?.
anonymous [1.45 PM] I think you miss my point. Brown's 'end to spin culture' is derided because the man is spinning like a top, every time he opens his mouth. He just doesn't do it very well.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, having your replacement lined up in readiness for a possible resignation isn't spin, it's foresight.
More than enough spinning and news management going on. They've carefully picked the moment for Hain to take one for the team, on the same day as a climbdown by Darling on CGT and Smith's announcement on 42 day internment. MPs voted on their pay rise today as well, which could have been embarrassing if the vote went the other way. One could describe it as "a good day to bury bad news".
ReplyDelete