Alistair Darling, today in the House of Commons:
"Of course we are more likely to be more severely affected as a result [of the UK's dependence on the City and housing market]".
Gordon Brown on too many occasions to record here:
"We are better placed than other countries” [to withstand the recession].
Kareena Kapoor is slowly but surely becoming a global superstar. The actress who recently wooed Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone has added one more name to her already increasing list of admirers. This time around it was none other than UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown who invited Kareena as a special guest for an event held at his residence 10 Downing Street on November 18th. She was also to be ho
Why am I here?During a period of the worst leadership in the UK history, Angus Dei looks back on the promises made by Gordon Brown. He also examines the unique condition that is present in those who hang around parliament. We postulate a viral aetiology currently endemic in Whitehall.Does Gordon Brown have Selective Memory Loss ?Because his memory is surely failing.In 2001 he said “Labour will
The use of Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 by UK PM Gordon Brown to seize Icelandic assets in the UK has been applauded at home, a political calculation by the former Chancellor to make himself look good to a nationalist audience. The flip side of that is the people he targets: Icelanders are justifiably offended at being called terrorists. Some are saying this
The Prime Minister has done it again -- he's saved the world from money meltdown. The global financial crisis looks like it has finally turned a corner as world leaders pledge to follow in the footsteps of Gordon Brown, and back his bank buy-out plan. But how much credit can he take for it?
With local councils across Britain having money tied up in Icelandic banks, it looks like severe public spending cuts will be taking place during the next two years.However, Gordon Brown is well placed to find money from the the public purse, judging by a story in the Observer's Pendennis column.Oliver Marre reveals that the Department For Work and Pensions spent £2,024,431 on taxis in the financ
Yes, you read that right. Today’s post is a eulogy of what some people have mistaken for a useless piece of shit – Gordon Brown.Not a useless piece of shit – it’s official!I like Gordon, or ‘GB’ as Brit haters could abbreviate him.Some people claim he is a venal, corrupt, dour incompetent, and I agree there’s a lot to support that. And that he would not be PM if he hadn’t allowed B
Here is a bit of fun from the people at the Tax Payers Alliance that allows you to do maths the way that Gordon Brown does.
The Calculator is launched today alongside an explosive new TPA report on Gordon Brown’s woeful record of economic and public sector management - key findings from the report are used [...]
Gordon Brown suffered a shattering blow to his authority today as one of his own whips called for a contest to replace him as Labour leader.
Siobhain McDonagh confirmed that she was among a growing band of Labour MPs seeking to trigger a leadership election in the party’s conference in a little over a week. [...]
It's catching, at least for Gordon Brown. Seeing polls on the horizon and the poor man panics. According to the Tories he is "terrified" of a double defeat and wants to hold next year's European and English local elections on the same day. this would mean moving the local elections up to June as he couldn't possibly upset the EU Commission and hold the Euro elections a month early. So he is tempte
Poor old Gordon Brown must be wishing that he had never made that pledge with Tony Blair, then all this may not have happened.
The prime minister is under fire from all angles it would appear and entrepreneurs have added to his woes in a survey conducted by Clifton Asset Management (CAM).
Only 4% of those surveyed [...]
Dan Glass, a member of Plane Stupid, was about to receive an award from the prime minister when he stuck out his superglued hand and touched his sleeve.Plane Stupid says Mr Glass, from north London, then "glued his hand" to Mr Brown's jacket as he shook his hand.But Downing Street said there had been "no stickiness of any significance". Read more at: BBC.UKRipped from crossunder
And so this prolonged car crash that is Gordon Brown and his treacherous band of thieves ploughs relentlessly onward as he makes not just one, but two policy U-turns in the space of a few days.
First off - in what’s up there with the quickest of embarrassing public U-turns to have been perpetuated by useless [...]
I may have promised mobile phones and hi-technology for the next post, but that’s been postponed for another time to make way for something considerably lower in tech. What will be the start of an ongoing profile of one James Gordon Brown, elected leader of the Labour Party and unelected leader of the United Kingdom.
Now [...]
Gordon Brown is going to lose the next election. He may as well go for broke and try and do some good between now and 2010. Here are ten of my suggestions, not that my views mean much to him.1. Reform the one-sided libel laws which favour the powerful and cause journalists huge problems when reporting.2. Renationalise public transport and re-regulate bus services. The current poor services outside
In the waning days of his presidency, George Bush is not just content with having created chaos and confusion in the Middle East by his blunder in Iraq, but apparently would like to leave a new legacy of disaster in Iran. The European Union offered a new package of economic incentives and cooperation with Iran’s [...]
David Archuleta confession: Gordon Brown is my Dad!The Spoof (satire), UK - 59 minutes agoA hushed silence fell across the political and entertainment world today, at the shock announcement that David Archuleta, the seventeen-year old-runner up ...
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is facing a revolt by members of his party who are furious at what they consider to be his bungling performance as leader of the nation. As people protested in the streets of London, the British prime minister is prepared to tell his guest, George Bush, that Britain will be [...]
MEDIA RELEASE15TH JuneFOR IMMEDIATE USEgayasylumuk wants more to sign petition to Gordon BrownThe campaigning group gayaylumuk today called on all those moved by the plight of the 19-yo Iranian Mehdi Kazemi to support other lesbian and gay asylum seekers at risk of return to torture and possible death.The group is calling on all British people outraged by government policy to sign the petition to
LONDON (AP) — The British prime minister’s dull-as-dishwater image is getting a revamp from an unlikely source: U.S.-based comic book publisher Marvel.
Gordon Brown, who has been in the political doldrums of late and is often described as buttoned down, is depicted in a heroic light in “Captain Britain and MI13,” a new comic that shows [...]
National debt, PFI, ID Cards, 42 day detention, loss of popularity, pensions backdoor taxation, telling tales to Parliament in his Budget speeches, IR35 tax changes, 3000+ new offences, constitutional reform, Labour meltdown in Wales, increasing taxes for the poor ....
A cartoon from Indexed.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown was insistent that police should have the right to detain suspected terrorists for up to 42 days without any charges being presented against them. He is facing a probable defeat in parliament on the issue, but is determined to stick to his guns on what he believes is essential to deal [...]
Hay festival: Kasparov attacks Brown for ignoring Russian democracy's plightJudith SoalSunday June 1, 2008guardian.co.ukFormer world chess champion Garry Kasparov launched a fierce attack on Gordon Brown and other western leaders for ignoring the excesses of the Russian regime and failing to support the pro-democracy movement over disputed elections in his country.In a strongly worded speech at th
The recent relevation that Gordon Brown likes a good chinwag with voters who have written to him is heartwarming but puzzling.Firstly, how does he find the time to do this? I'm always busy and (in case you haven't realised) I'm not running the country. I can't imagine ringing random people just for a chat, I'm busy enough with interviewees and friends.After a long day involving Prime Ministers' Qu
Well, to Crewe blog. Thanks to Tamsin Dunwoody's campaign team who promised to grab some comment from the PM - and they delivered. Following Nick Clegg and David Cameron, a few words from no.10 for you. No snap of Mr Brown, so we bagged one from t'web...."Gwyneth Dunwoody was a much-respected,wonderful MP who was held in high esteem by people on both sides of theHouse of Commons. She is greatly mi
Prime Minister Gordon Brown of Great Britain is experiencing the lowest record of support from the people of his nation, and he decided to show lack of support for the Dalai Lama by refusing to meet wth him. Two months ago, Brown agreed to meet with the Dalai Lama at Downing Street, but, this [...]
The BBC reports that Gordon Brown will respond to video questions sent via the Downing Street website.You can see some of the questions on the Downing Street Youtube site and by searching on Youtube.One wonders how heavily the entries are filtered. One entrant has dubbed Brown "G.Bizzle" although given how poorly Labour are doing and the bickering, Fizzle might be a bit better.You can see Gordon b
The British Primier Minister Gordon Brown blamed global factors, especially record oil prices, for the economic slowdown and rising inflation in Britain during a series of major interviews Thursday.
Speaking on BBC Radio Four's Today programme, Brown called for oil prices to be controlled and said...
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After having done a U-turn on the 10p debacle it seems Gordon Brown may be moving into another storm of his own making.having watched the lengthy and informed debateon the human embryo and fertilisation bill in the house of commons two things becamevery apparent.firstly parliamentarians are at their best when they are not forced to slavishly tow the party line as is usually the case on matters of
Gordon Brown obviously thinks its funny to bring up the old class war stuff. There are plenty in the Labour Party who can't stand "gents". They have an abiding hatred of public schools and "anything proper". So, because David Cameron went to Eton, they think it fair game to have a go at him. Just like they got rid of hereditary peers, or most of them, from the House of Lords, they try to sneer and jape at someone's background.Is Gordon Brown so great? He was recently telling us his family was "ordinary". Do we care? Not really. I am much more concerned about him saying he made "a mistake" over the 10p tax fiasco, when in fact he knew at the time he was deliberately causing the poor to suffer. It was no mistake Gordon. Personally, I prefer toffs to liars!In the Crewe and Nantwich by-electio
The British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has suffered his biggest Commons rebellion since taking over as prime minister, when 33 Labour MPs - half his majority - voted for an amendment to the energy bill that would have encouraged the takeup of renewable energy technologies.
Although the amendment...
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Prime Minister Gordon Brown last night suffered his biggest Commons rebellion since taking over as prime minister when 35 Labour MPs - half the government's majority - voted against the government in favour of an amendment to the energy bill that would have encouraged the take up of renewable...
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Gordon Brown’s first electoral test turned into a nightmare last night as Labour lost an astonishing 331 council seats and Boris Johnson won the London mayoral election.
Boris Johnson ended the eight-year reign of Ken Livingstone, delivering another body blow to the Prime Minister as Labour lost a quarter of the councillors who stood for the
Monday:Being a son of the manse, my moral compass is strong as they come. It means I have convictions, like helping the poor. That's what gets me up every day.“Och,” I say as I step out of bed at five in the morning. “What's the matter Gordy?” “Av just stepp'd ina pile o' finger nails, ah wish yed clean 'em up befarr b'dtime.” At the wardrobe I shout to the wife, “Rehd arr bloo tie taeday, darlin'?” She mumbles something about dithering and making a decision but I can't really hear her. I take both and decide later.Tuesday:Balls! There's a fiasco about the 10p tax thing. Some wonky treasury minister is scurrying around talking of revolts in the Commons and that favourite media catch phrase, the U-turn. “Wha was'nea I informed o' this earrlea, ye noo I like tae keep a hold
Harriet Harman's blog has been hacked into.Before it gets changed, here is the spoof resignation letter."Posted by Harriet in Campaigning | April 25th, 2008 To friends, foes and fans, Below is a copy of the resignation letter that landed on Gordon’s desk this morning.I couldn’t be bothered to type a completely new one, seeing as Quentin Davies (LO-SER!) had written a perfectly good one here,I thought I’d just change the relevant sections… a swap for a swap if you like.All opinions are welcome. For an explanation of what led to this landmark decision, please read my much more interesting blog hereHarriet Harman Resignation from the Labour Party: Letter to David Cameron and statement to PressLetter to David CameronRt. Hon.Gordon Brown M.P.Leader of the Labour Party/Prime MiniserHouse
Show of hands, who knows who Gordon Brown is? I'm a little embarrassed to admit it, but his name didn't really strike a bell when I saw it. Margaret Thatcher - yes. Tony Blair - yes. Gordon Brown - not so much. Sorry dude.Anyhoo, the British Prime Minister - Gordon Brown - will be in Boston tomorrow at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum to give a speech on foreign policy, the economy, international financial topics, etc.Brown will visit the United States for several days, making stops in New York, Washington, and Boston, said Joseph Pickerill, an official at the British consulate in Boston.I believe the library is going to be closed to the public - anyone know how you get an invite to this event? Anyhoo, here's a link to the blurb in the Globe (here) and also a link t
It's not good reading for Gordon Brown. According to a YouGov poll for the Sunday Times, he's careering into the pit occupied by Ramsay Macdonald and Lord North! Only 2% think he's doing "very well". That's a feeble number of diehard New Labour fantasists! 26% are prepared to say he's doing "fairly well". That's a bit like telling your mother her cake is a bit stodgy.Against his plaudits come the overwhelming group, 65% who think he's performing "fairly or very badly". So two-thirds of the electorate want him gone is the message. It's not just the Tories complaining of his dithering. Now, the Blairites are chipping in, too.He waited ten years for Blair to disappear, and now it's all going pearshaped for him (and us, of course!). I think the biscuit-taking came to a head with the 10p tax ba
Gordon Brown has gone to some tele-evangelist's grooming school! I've just seen him all made up like some Hollywood wannabee, appearing on the American Idol talent show. He promised to buy 20 million mosquito nets for malaria-hit countries. Sounds good, but the presentation, well.......See the Gordon Brown "God Bless You All" Video here!
Gordon Brown has come out saying that Labour is "on the side" of the voters. He thinks he has the right policies for the future of the country. At least, this is what he told a meeting of Labour MPs at Westminster yesterday. Jim Sheridan (another part-time member job-sharing with an MSP) muttered at the meeting that former Labour ministers who "gobbed off" to the newspapers should be "injected with rabies". Nice guy you sound Jim! Seen anybody with rabies lately? Not a pretty sight, I'm told.These people had the affrontery to tell the country that the Tory Party was the nasty party. What hypocrites! This New Labour freak show has brought us to a sorry pass. Far from being on our side, they are all on THEIR SIDE!The grumpy Brown refused to listen to the public's demand for a referendum on t
This is a good You Tube presentation from the English Democrats. Our part-time, job-sharing Prime Minister thinks this is all OK. So much for his talk of "Britishness" and constitutional reform! With Jack Straw in charge, it will all end in tears.Watch it and weep!
I should be writing my profile of David Abrahams, but I wanted to blog this because it annoyed me.Health spa owner Stephen Winyard has criticized the Government as Gordon Brown and David Milliband would not mean with the McCann's.Gordon Brown is the Prime Minister, not an agony aunt.It's not as if he hasn't helped the McCann's out before, either, whether talking to Jose Socrates about the police investigation or asking for the Home Office and Foreign Office to put pressure on the authorities in Portugal.Who does Stephen Winyard think he is? Gordon Brown was elected by the voters of this country to serve the country as a whole, not Kate and Gerry McCann.Maybe Winyard would like a Minister for Madeleine McCann to go round Portugal annoying people.The McCann's are getting a lot more support than most parents, with Richard Branson and a "double-glazing tycoon" called Brian Kennedy helping to fund the relentless drive of wristbands (which backfired when the Daily Star accused a nanny
bit-tech.net
Gordon Brown & Paris Hilton team on ’serious politics’PC Advisor, UK - 56 minutes agoA new computer game featuring political heavyweights Gordon Brown, Tony Blair and, er, Paris Hilton is an example of how games can be put to serious use, …Tony Blair, Alistair Darling and a virtual Paris Hilton HEXUS.gamingSim UK Government game released for free bit-tech.netVirtual British government goes online Inquirer all 4 news articles
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Gordon Brown and Paris Hilton Meet in seriouspolicy Computer GamePress Dispensary (press release), UK - 1 hour agoNovember 14, 2007 - Press Dispensary - Gordon Brown joins a virtual Paris Hilton, Alistair Darling and Keira Knightley as 3D characters in the downloadable …Gordon Brown and Paris Hilton in a serious computer game Response Source (press release) all 3 news articles
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if this image was on the front page of 'The Sun'you can bet your bottom dollar thatGordon Brown would have agreed to put forward legislation reducing the 24 week time limit on abortions.As for conviction politics well that myth has been finally put torest by the ridiculous state of affairs whereby in one room in a hospital now doctors can be tryining to save a child's life while in another they ma
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown is tonight discussing the case of missing four-year-old Madeleine McCann with his Portuguese counterpart Jose Socrates.
Gordon Brown is in Lisbon for an EU Summit and has told reporters, “I’m meeting the Portuguese Prime Minister later and we will discuss this issue. I have discussed this issue with him before, to assure myself that the police authorities are taking the actions that are necessary.”
He added he wanted to make sure, “there’s proper cooperation between the British and Portuguese police.”
The Prime Minister has been given regular briefings on the Madeleine case since her disappearance on May 3rd. Mr Brown has also had telephone contact with Madeleine’s parents Gerry and Kate McCann.
Direct contact between the Prime Minister and the McCann’s ended last month when they were named as official suspects. Mr Brown has spoken to the Portuguese premier about the case in July where he thanked them for his help
A defiant Gordon Brown informed African leaders he would not attend the European and African summit meeting to be held in Portugal in December unless Robert Mugabe was not allowed to attend. The English prime minister said he could not be present at a meeting with President Mugabe who has wrecked his nation plunging it into utter ruin with an inflation rate of 7600% and 80% unemployed. Brown noted thousands of Zimbabweans are fleeing their country seeking food and jobs in other nations.
Gordon Brown is the first European or African leader to take a stand against the thuggish regime of Mugabe who beats up and imprisons those who oppose him. He has transformed a thriving nation into an economic basket case by driving out productive people and enriching his own friends and supporters. It is about time leaders of Europe and Africa let this petty tyrant know his presence is not welcomed. As Brown put it to African leaders, “it’s him or me.” Amen
I really don’t know how you are able to determine whether a feeling is ‘homoerotic’ or otherwise. But I just think Gordon Brown is lovely. He’s just a big lovely, cuddly, clunky, chunky monkey. The combination of austere intelligence and unrefined, childlike awkwardness is just adorable. Yeah....using the word “adorable” is probably how you determine whether a feeling is ‘homoerotic’.....Well I
GORDON BROWN has pushed Labour into a 10-point lead, the biggest since he took over as prime minister, according to a YouGov poll for The Sunday Times today.News sourceBrown takes record lead - Times Online
President Bush Participates in Joint Press Availability with Prime Minister Gordon Brown of the United Kingdom, FULL STREAMING VIDEO The Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP Biography Camp David 11:46 A.M. EDT. GALLERY PRESIDENT BUSH: Welcome, thank you. It's good to have you here. So everybody is wondering whether or not the Prime Minister and I were able to find common ground, to get along, to have a meaningful discussion.And the answer is, absolutely. You know, he probably wasn't sure what to expect from me -- and I kind of had a sense of the kind of person I'd be dealing with. I would describe Gordon Brown as a principled man who really wants to get something done. In other words, in my discussions with him last night we spent about two hours over dinner, just alone. We dismissed the rest of the delegations to the bowling alley, I think. (Laughter.) As Josh Bolten said, it's the Ryder Cup of bowling. I think the trophy was left for Great Britain, if I'm not mistaken.But we had a really casu
After a 10 year wait as chancellor Gordon Brown has finally realised his lifelong ambition of becoming Prime Minister.In his opening speech the Gary Kasparov of British politics made an interesting opening move.he called for 'change'and quoted his school motto of 'I will do my utmost'.In an ironic twist this echoed one of Blair's last speeches in which he regretted having raised expectations too h
So Gordon has formed is unelected government to rule over us all. I predict more stealth not just in taxes but also with policies that will restrict our human rights. We already have a communist motor policy, Nanny state (cannot trust an Adult) rulings, Gone to far Health and safety, More bans than Paris hilton.
Wouldn’t it be nice for a change for a goverment that says they will allow this and that, A government that leaves people to live there lives and trust them to make their own decisions.
We have seen gordon promote various taxes including the enviroment and it will come soon Its going to be called the:
HAMBURGER TAX to tackle obesity…
Surely This wouldn’t happen !!! or would it !!!!
From the BBC:Tony Blair has handed the leadership of the Labour Party to Gordon Brown at a special conference in Manchester. He personally thanked Tony Blair who he said had "made Britain stronger, more tolerant, prosperous and it has made Britain fairer". He also praised John Prescott and former leader Neil Kinnock for leading the party "out of the wilderness". He described Britain as a "country of rising aspiration," saying voters had told him they wanted a "higher class" of public services "tailored to individual needs". But he told activists: "The party I lead must have more than a set of policies, we must have a soul." Victory speech He pledged not to return Labour to the past - and said he wanted make education and tackling the housing crisis his top priority. Jus
Early childhood (photo:GB far left with older brother and Father Rev John Brown)Mr Brown's father, John, was a Church of Scotland minister for 40 years. He was a strong influence and died in 1998, aged 84. His mother Elizabeth, known as Bunty, died in 2004 aged 86.Until Gordon was three, the family had lived in Glasgow, a city scarred by acute poverty and rising unemployment. The experience in Gla
Ivan Corea, who heads the Autism Awareness Campaign in the United Kingdom, has urged the Prime Minister Elect, Gordon Brown to take up the whole issue of autism. Gordon Brown has pledged to act on education as a key plank to his government’s strategy. Ivan Corea appealed to the Prime Minister Elect to view autism [...]
U.K.: “We have got a new security problem”: Gordon Brown (who is due to become British Prime Minister later this month) supports tougher security measures including more rigorous questioning and phone taps while pledging to protect civil liberties in Britain.
India: “the largest amount being extended so far”: At the end of June, India will become the single largest borrower from the World Bank at 3.8 billion dollars.
Lebanon:“the situation will be really critical”: Humanitarian aid workers express fears over their inability to bring supplies to a refugee camp in northern Lebanon. The situation is becoming dire as the Lebanese army continues to bombard to the Nahr al-Bared camp. According to the BBC, fighting has begun at a second camp as well. More than 100 have died since fighting between militants and the army began in the north two weeks ago.
U.S.:
“subject to undue adult influences”: The youngest detainee at Guantanamo, a boy with
Gordon Brown was the only MP to stand for leader of the Labour party after Tony Blair resigned/retired and will become the new PM by default on June 27th. So the question is, will he do a good job? The dowdy Scot has made a very good chancellor of the exchequer, and has had his eye on the big job for the entirety of Blair’s tenure as Prime Minister.
I think it’s time we find out what people think about this issue so let me know your thoughts by voting, and also leave any comments you’d like to make on the topic below. All are read, and most are replied to!
Do you think Gordon Brown will be a good Prime Minister?
Yes, better than Tony Blair
He’ll do quite well
He’ll lose the next election
No, he’ll be terrible
He can’t be any worse than Blair
pollcode.com free polls
Gordon Brown, Prime Minister, Tony Blair, Poll, Vote, Labour Party, MP, Chancellor, UK, Scottish, British
Christian Aid, appealing to Mr Brown’s moral sense..... said: “He should make debt-cancellation by all rich countries possible in his first 100 days of power.”He should also challenge the “war on terror”, use the G8 and the UN to put Darfur at the top of the agenda, ensure the viability of the Palestinian state, reform the IMF and World Bank, and open rich markets to poor countries witho
After 11 consecutive years of being Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown is the longest serving chancellor since 1820 overtaking David Lloyd George (2). As Gordon Brown wrly noted as chancellor Lloyd George successfully combined both being chancellor and being PM. In fact his last budget speech sounded in parts like a pre – election budget. – If not a general election at least a leadership election. Quick Summary of the 2007 Budget Income tax cut from 22p to 20p. This is largely financed by abolishing the 10p starting rate and removing allowances in N.I contributions. – “The tax man giveth and the tax man taketh away.”Corporation tax cut from 30% to 28%. This will largely be financed by raising the tax rate on small business from 20% to 22%. The justification was that it was to avoid people using small companies as a way to reduce income tax burden. However it is strange to increase corporation tax to 22% when income tax
Since becoming Chancellor in 1997 Gordon Brown has presided over the longest period of economic expansion in the UK since records began. He is widely credited for having been a model of fiscal prudence which has allowed the UK to go from the laughing stock of Europe to one of the best performers in the OECD.Is Gordon Brown Britain’s best chancellor ever? Or is it more a case of being lucky to inherit a promising economic situation? Or is it as some people suggest an opportunity wasted, storing up economic problems for the future?This is a short economic evaluation of Gordon Browns’ record as Chancellor.Achievements of Gordon Brown as Chancellor of Exchequer.1. Independence of Bank of England. 4 days into his job he handed over control of Monetary policy from no.11 to the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee. This is widely regarded as being a key factor in creating economic stability and a low inflationary environment for the long period of economic expansion. (Note the Con
Gordon Brown has been Chancelor since 1997, despite impressive growth figures some argue he was lucky to inherit a strong economic foundation and actually the last 10 years represented a wasted opportunity to secure the long term future of the UK economy1. He inherited the benefits of Supply side reforms.It is argued by the Conservatives that when he took power the economic fundamentals were already in place for a strong economy. Unemployment was already sharply falling from 3 million to 1.6 million. Over the past 20 years policies such as Privatisation and labour market reforms had helped increase the UK’s competitiveness and placed the framework for low inflationary growth. Gordon Brown was merely lucky to inherit these.2. A Tax Meddler. Gordon Brown has introduced over 66 new types of tax. Although he has kept his promise of not raising income tax he has compensated by introducing new types of taxes like Airport tax, such taxes have been labelled “stealth taxes”. Depsite
As Gordon Brown approaches his last budget as chancellor many are reviewing his tenure as Chancellor and evaluating his success or failure. One important contribution he made was to steer the UK away from joining the Euro on the ground that "it would not be in Britain's economic interest". The justification for this was based on his 5 economics tests.Before deciding whether the UK should join the Euro the Chancellor, Gordon Brown drew up 5 economic tests which the UK must pass for the UK to join. The main principle behind these 5 economic tests was whether the UK would cope with a common monetary policy. The 5 tests are in some ways superfluous. The main test being is really whether the UK has a degree of economic harmonisation with the rest of Europe. 5 Economic Tests for Joining the Euro Economic Harmonisation. The UK economy must be harmonised with the Euro zone. If the UK economy was growing much faster than EU then UK interest rates would need t
It has been a few months since the last time we checked on Gordon’s prospects in the Betfair markets, so lets see how he’s doing now. Then we will gauge reaction to his Budget speech in a few weeks time by checking on the odds again afterwards.
In the “Next Labour Leader” market, we can see that Gordon’s odds are now 1.29, significantly shorter than September’s odds of 1.45. Things are starting to shake out in the leadership race, and it is also a lot clearer now that Blair is likely to stand down soon, so Brown has less time to make any “cock ups” and therefore a better chance of winning. There are, however, two more interesting things to note in the market. Firstly the odds of Brown’s nearest challenger David Milliband have come in significantly to only 11.0. Betfair are good enough to provide charts of how the odds have changed over time and these are displayed below:
So a serious challenger has emerged in Milliband, alb
The last time I took the trouble to look, I seem to remember that the value of charity and volunteer work in New Britain equalled the cost of the NHS. That is, the free labour given by people out of the goodness of their hearts underpinned the country’s economy to the extent that it was worth the same as the nations biggest economic cost. Without charity work, it is clear, the country’s economy would grind to a halt. The country does not produce enough wealth to pay its own way. It depends on people propping it up by doing things which are not valued in terms of money, but have a massive economic benefit.
So, what would happen if you could harness even more of this goodwill and unpaid economic activity? What about if you could find a group of people who you could force into contributing to the country’s economy for no money? That would be brilliant, surely? It would be like having loads more money made available to be creamed off by the rich! Hurrah!
Oh, look! Some c
