Eddie Barnes: Malloch-Brown on Mr Brown
Most of the focus on former Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch-Brown's interview in the Telegraph today has rightly focussed on his claim that "we definitely don't have enough helicopters" in Afghanistan (which he is now rowing back on, incidentally).
But the interview contains several other gems from a man who, in the parlance, has hinterland. Malloch-Brown earned his straps as one of the "alpha dogs" in the legendary Sawyer Miller political consultancy in New York - the firm which effectively wrote the rule book in the 1980s and 9os on How to Win Elections. It's fair to say he knows a thing or two about politics.
In the interview, he provides a fascinating insight into the strengths and weaknesses of Gordon Brown. Asked by Mary Riddell whether Gordon Brown has grasped the notion of losing next year, he declares......
"No I don't. That's one reason why, for all the criticism, he is a remarkable leader. He has this Churchillian faith in his belief that he can persuade the British public he's the one."
And whilst admitting that Labour's chances look "incredibly bleak", he nevertheless backs Brown as the man to lead them onwards.
"He'll be the candidate. He's got something no other politician in the Labour party has. He thinks he can win."
Riddell comments: "It is possible to detech in Lord Malloch-Brown's voice more than a hint of disbelief".
Brown won't be giving up, in other words, even when everyone else has thrown in the towel. It might make him delusional. It also means he's a stayer.
But the interview contains several other gems from a man who, in the parlance, has hinterland. Malloch-Brown earned his straps as one of the "alpha dogs" in the legendary Sawyer Miller political consultancy in New York - the firm which effectively wrote the rule book in the 1980s and 9os on How to Win Elections. It's fair to say he knows a thing or two about politics.
In the interview, he provides a fascinating insight into the strengths and weaknesses of Gordon Brown. Asked by Mary Riddell whether Gordon Brown has grasped the notion of losing next year, he declares......
"No I don't. That's one reason why, for all the criticism, he is a remarkable leader. He has this Churchillian faith in his belief that he can persuade the British public he's the one."
And whilst admitting that Labour's chances look "incredibly bleak", he nevertheless backs Brown as the man to lead them onwards.
"He'll be the candidate. He's got something no other politician in the Labour party has. He thinks he can win."
Riddell comments: "It is possible to detech in Lord Malloch-Brown's voice more than a hint of disbelief".
Brown won't be giving up, in other words, even when everyone else has thrown in the towel. It might make him delusional. It also means he's a stayer.
Labels: Eddie Barnes, Gordon Brown, Lord Malloch-Brown
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