"Call election now" writes Times columnist Matthew Parris

Britannist · 05-10-2007, 11:02 PM

Columnist Matthew Parris writes in The Times today (brief extracts) that the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, should call a General Election for next month:

"...by playing around with people’s expectations, looking calculating, unconfident and cheap, he (Gordon Brown) has come close to forfeiting such sympathy, and if he backs away now has plainly forfeited it for a 2008 election. There is a way to regain respect; this is his moment; and he must do it now."

Mr. Parris also writes "...once the dust has settled you (Mr. Brown) will (by calling a General Election for November of this year) be seen to have acted shrewdly and in pursuance of a longer-term plan to destroy David Cameron’s Tories."

There's more at:

Avoid the slurry pit, Gordon. Be brave. Do it | Matthew Parris - Times Online

Britannist · 06-10-2007, 01:49 AM

Charles Moore, columnist, writes in today's Telegraph (brlef extract) "And although the polls still suggest a Labour victory, Mr. Brown, by dissolving prematurely a Parliament in which he has a majority of 69 is setting himself a high bar. If he gets back, but with a majority of only 30 or 40, he is seriously weakened. With a majority below 20, he is a lame duck. So Labour doubters ask "Why are we doing this?" I thought at first that it was just bravado when David Cameron started calling for an immediate election. But now I begin to think he means it. Watching Mr. Brown walk towards a trap of his own making, I can see why."

Putting Gordon Brown's character to the vote - Telegraph

arden forester · 06-10-2007, 01:28 PM

He should have called a general election after he became Prime Minister if he wanted one. Now it looks opportunist.

My guess is that the gamble will fail if he does go, because I see Brown as not a good communicator on TV. He can come across as a sweaty-looking grump. Yes, I know that's not very fair to say, but these things matter in undecided voter land.

If he does call an election, then I think we are in for a hung parliament. We will also get a few freakish results. Tory losses where they were not expected and Tory gains where they were not expected. Same for other parties.

My guess is that David Cameron would seek a coalition with the LibDems in that event to keep Labour out. Of course, it all depends on the numbers. We could get Labour with just fewer than the halfway mark doing deals with Plaid Cymru, SNP or even the DUP. Not all in the DUP are "working class Tories" as some pundits think. A good number are out-and-out Labourites with a trade union background.

05-10-2007, 11:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
Britannist Uber Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London Posts: 22,896	"Call election now" writes Times columnist Matthew Parris Columnist Matthew Parris writes in The Times today (brief extracts) that the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, should call a General Election for next month: "...by playing around with people’s expectations, looking calculating, unconfident and cheap, he (Gordon Brown) has come close to forfeiting such sympathy, and if he backs away now has plainly forfeited it for a 2008 election. There is a way to regain respect; this is his moment; and he must do it now." Mr. Parris also writes "...once the dust has settled you (Mr. Brown) will (by calling a General Election for November of this year) be seen to have acted shrewdly and in pursuance of a longer-term plan to destroy David Cameron’s Tories." There's more at: Avoid the slurry pit, Gordon. Be brave. Do it \| Matthew Parris - Times Online Last edited by Britannist; 05-10-2007 at 11:05 PM.

06-10-2007, 01:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
Britannist Uber Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London Posts: 22,896	Charles Moore, Mr. Brown, David Cameron, Labour, election Charles Moore, columnist, writes in today's Telegraph (brlef extract) "And although the polls still suggest a Labour victory, Mr. Brown, by dissolving prematurely a Parliament in which he has a majority of 69 is setting himself a high bar. If he gets back, but with a majority of only 30 or 40, he is seriously weakened. With a majority below 20, he is a lame duck. So Labour doubters ask "Why are we doing this?" I thought at first that it was just bravado when David Cameron started calling for an immediate election. But now I begin to think he means it. Watching Mr. Brown walk towards a trap of his own making, I can see why." Putting Gordon Brown's character to the vote - Telegraph

06-10-2007, 01:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
arden forester Uber Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Solihull, in The Forest of Arden, Warwickshire! Posts: 2,660 Party: None	Hung out to dry? He should have called a general election after he became Prime Minister if he wanted one. Now it looks opportunist. My guess is that the gamble will fail if he does go, because I see Brown as not a good communicator on TV. He can come across as a sweaty-looking grump. Yes, I know that's not very fair to say, but these things matter in undecided voter land. If he does call an election, then I think we are in for a hung parliament. We will also get a few freakish results. Tory losses where they were not expected and Tory gains where they were not expected. Same for other parties. My guess is that David Cameron would seek a coalition with the LibDems in that event to keep Labour out. Of course, it all depends on the numbers. We could get Labour with just fewer than the halfway mark doing deals with Plaid Cymru, SNP or even the DUP. Not all in the DUP are "working class Tories" as some pundits think. A good number are out-and-out Labourites with a trade union background. __________________ www.ardenforester.blogspot.com www.westminster-whispers.blogspot.com

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