'http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2009/01/30/sorry-darling-davos-is-for-mandy/
It reads
"If there were any questions over who is number two in British Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s cabinet, Davos might have helped clear them up.
While Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling is giving the annual gathering of global big wigs a miss, business minister Lord Peter Mandelson has found the time to go.
For years Mandelson and Brown weren’t talking, now Mandelson is once again at the heart of everything the Labour Party is plotting.
Darling has been the steady rock always at Gordon’s side during the credit crunch, often taking the flak from the media for the government’s handling of the crisis.
But when it comes to talking to the world’s most powerful decision makers and hob nobbing in an exclusive ski resort, Lord Mandy gets the call."
So when Gordo finally goes insane or has a heart attack (likely), who will take over?
What are the odds on a disgraced (twice) ex-MP and unelected cabinet minister taking over at No10?
Gordo better hire a food taster'
It reads
"If there were any questions over who is number two in British Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s cabinet, Davos might have helped clear them up.
While Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling is giving the annual gathering of global big wigs a miss, business minister Lord Peter Mandelson has found the time to go.
For years Mandelson and Brown weren’t talking, now Mandelson is once again at the heart of everything the Labour Party is plotting.
Darling has been the steady rock always at Gordon’s side during the credit crunch, often taking the flak from the media for the government’s handling of the crisis.
But when it comes to talking to the world’s most powerful decision makers and hob nobbing in an exclusive ski resort, Lord Mandy gets the call."
So when Gordo finally goes insane or has a heart attack (likely), who will take over?
What are the odds on a disgraced (twice) ex-MP and unelected cabinet minister taking over at No10?
Gordo better hire a food taster'
Posts
6 comments:
I'm sure Gordon is delighted that Mandy is firmly behind him.
Brownlie, the question is 'how delighted?'
Is it not true that Alistair Darling only changed his plans to travel to Davos after it became clear that many of the people he had planned to meet with would not be there? In which case his decision to remain in the UK to carry out more constructive use of his time is to be comended - not spun into an indication of Gordon Brown playing favourites.
Interesting that when Obama's key players decided not to attend Davos it was seen as decisive and commited to the economic task in hand. Yet when Darling does the same thing he is criticised...
PJ you may well be right. I think the article points more to the fact that Mandelson trotted along. He's the business man- why wasn't he here dealing with the strike?
In some ways I feel rather sorry for Alistair Darling. As the poster said, he's been extremely loyal to Gordon Brown and it has been difficult, or nearly impossible, for him to create his own identity in the post of Chancellor.
What do you think about the idea floating around that Norman Tebbit should be recalled to the tory front bench? (Well in the Lords that is).
I think the very fact that Norman Tebbit's return is even being discussed is a mark of desperation (and perhaps a stroke of genius at the same time). For Cameron to have to keep resurrecting the major players of Thatcher's government smacks of lack of confidence in his current team.
Ken Clarke is instantly recognisable as the 'everyman' and Norman Tebbit is the dignified survivor who the entire country empathised with after the Brighton bombing. It could be a deliberate strategy to reconnect the party with the electorate at a time when David Cameron's credibility it being damaged by his 'do nothing' reputation.
He would also add a bit substance to the tories. The only problem I've read today is that Ken and Norman don't get on too well.
What does it matter I say - Ken's in the Commons and Norman's in the Lords.
Different 'gents' to use too I presume, so can't see a problem.
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