Tessa Jowell, one of Tony Blair’s closest allies, called on the Prime Minister to be “authentic”, true to himself and to Labour’s values, saying that there was no quick fix to restore his Government’s battered standing after a series of setbacks.
Her comments came as Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary and Mr Brown’s most experienced minister, gave warning that David Cameron’s messages had been “resonating” with voters.
His admission that Mr Cameron is resonating with voters is in contrast with previous Labour attacks on the Conservative leader, whom the party has portrayed as a public relations man with style but no substance.
In his own new year message, Mr Brown appeared to hint that he may delay a general election until 2010, as he spoke of making the right decisions “not only this year but for the years ahead” and gave warning of a difficult year of global financial turbulence approaching.
Some analysts and fund managers think 2008 will be even worse as a sharp slowdown in the economy, continued trouble in the banking sector and a house-price slump cast gloom over the markets.
A survey of Footsie forecasts by The Sunday Times reveals experts are predicting almost no growth in 2008, with the index just 73 points higher at 6,550 in 12 months’ time
Ministers urge Gordon Brown to change leadership style as Tory poll lead slips - Times Online
Brown has until 2010 to turn the economy round. Expect Bank Rate cuts and 'favourable' budgets in 2008 and 2009. Darling will probably fund any lower taxes by drastically reducing welfare benefits and military spending-again.