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The idea of this Government "listening" is much like Tony Blair "taking responsibility"... it is a naked attempt to take the sting out of the headline, rather than deal with the underlying substantive issues.

Just watched that stupid Blears woman on Question Time and I can't help but wonder why a good economy is all Gordon Brown's doing, but a difficult economy is caused by affairs in America? It's a pathetic argument, from a pathetic government.

Someone else who shares my complete dislike of Hazel Blears. There is nothing about her manner or her views that I find in any way edifying. She supported the Tamsin Dunwoody class war toff campaign and reiterated that Gordon Brown was the best person to steer us through our present trouble. On the basis that he should clear up his own mess I tend to agree with her!

I particularly disliked that line "I take full responsibility for .." that Tony Blair used over and over again.

It was completely meaningless.

I am sure he 'did what he thought was right' at the time and 'would have liked to have been more radical' but of course, he was boxed in by the parameters of 'the party'.

So in reality, Tony Blair did not make a great deal of progress, politically speaking, in terms of Government structures ... except possibly backwards as far as HoL reforms went.

Amazing to think that less than a year ago senior Labour MPs were talking about having defeated the Tories for a generation, after the small Gordon bounce just after he became PM.

The game's up, but will Gordon have the 'courage' to see that?

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Brown has no political courage whatsoever, chrisbowie. If he had, he'd have challenged for the leadership after the death of John Smith, not cut a dodgy backroom deal with Blair. Time after time he lined up for the great rebellion, only to timidly backdown when push came to shove and the division bell rang. And if he had any political courage, he'd have called that election in the autumn and wiped the floor with Cameron. But he took fright after the Tory conference.
And he took the credit for the economic prosperity of the last ten years, which was built on global expansion and credit, while he now seeks to lay the blame for economic woes on America.

subedeithemomgol wrote:
'he took the credit for the economic prosperity of the last ten years, which was built on global expansion and credit, while he now seeks to lay the blame for economic woes on America.'
One of the main reasons he did the former was to big himself up in the eyes of The Public so that they would look kindly on his bid to become P.M. He eventually achieved his objective of course but the chickens are coming home to roost now and he has been rumbled big time!

I'm backing the Hazel Blears dislike. She was terrible at answering questions - neglecting the one about 'What if the conservatives had launched attacks on Tamsin Dunwoody for being a single mother of five' question entirely, and had a horrible smile on through the entire evening.

This result isn't good for Labour (the party) in any respect - the fact that the public are sending them 'a powerful message' isn't a wake up call, it's the sound of their funeral bells.

#9 - bang on - those pursed lips make me shout at the telly!

#7 - yes I was attempting irony given it was the title of a book penned by the blessed leader as Mr Hardwidge calls him. My own view is exactly the same as yours, that Gordon is as far from courageous as it is possible to be in politics.