Quizzes & Puzzles15 mins ago
Blair or Brown?
12 Answers
I know you may well say 'neither", but if it was a straight choice between the two, Tony Blair or Gordon Brown, who would you prefer to be Prime Minister, and why? There have been numerous polls/phone-ins etc about this recently, but I wondered how ABers felt?
I'd prefer Gordon Brown. I feel I can trust him (as much as with any politician and someone you really don't know to boot), and I agree more with his outlook on things. Apart from that, I kind of like him as a person (again, as much as with any politician.......). That said, I didn't vote labour last time, and don't think I will next time either - tho I would think about it more if Brown was PM).
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Blair.
The best thing about the current government domestically is the relative strength of the economy (i.e. no big swings of boom-and-bust), which is due to the disciplined policies of Chancellor Brown. If we had a different Chancellor, whoever that is would muck it up and undo Brown's good work. Therefore, Brown must stay as Chancellor, and therefore Blair has to stay as PM rather than Brown. There are, of course, numerous reasons for not wanting either of them in either position.
The best thing about the current government domestically is the relative strength of the economy (i.e. no big swings of boom-and-bust), which is due to the disciplined policies of Chancellor Brown. If we had a different Chancellor, whoever that is would muck it up and undo Brown's good work. Therefore, Brown must stay as Chancellor, and therefore Blair has to stay as PM rather than Brown. There are, of course, numerous reasons for not wanting either of them in either position.
i think that Brown is a more serious politician than Blair and would make a better PM, i think he has more of a social consience as his time as chancellor has demonstrated. One thing that troubles me is i have heard he is a euro-sceptic and i am a pro-european. On the other hand, Blair's suposedly pro-euro stance has been negated by his support of dubya and the war on iraq which has created a rift with europe. Perhaps Brown would offer more honesty about our direction and alliances on the international stage.
I dont follow the argument that Brown shouldn't be prime minister because he is a good chancellor. After all, he does not run the treasury on his own. But his team have maintainted an admittedly fragile economy without a recession since lobour took office. The minimum wage and the independance of the bank of England are two of labours key achievements come under the treasury. So browns management of the tresury brief may indicate that he would manage the government well and provide strong leadership.
Brown needs to be more vocal, more often on domestic issues not concerning the economy. When he speaks he speaks with the authority and passion of a potential leader ( as he did today )but he is too often outside of the public eye for long periods and leaves his cronies to chip away at the PM. I would prefer to see more positive relationship building from Brown himself.
jim
On radio 5 today this subject was discussed. It seems that Brown is the intelligent one. He was said to have taken Blair under his wing in the early days. When Smith died, it forced them to choose a leader who had the best public image to get Labour ellected and Brown accepted this and supported Blair. Blair is supposed to have agreed to hand over power to Brown at some point and this deadline has since passed. Thats why they dont talk to one another now. Brown sees Blair as a liar.Because of this, and Blairs fumblings in recent months, I would say that Brown is the best equipt to be Prime Minister.I am sure that another chancellor could be found. Having said all of that, I wont vote for them at the next election.....I dont think :>)
Bernardo:- what i mean is that GB is more likely to take a negative stance on issues like the single currency as evidenced by his five tests never coming to fruition. He is also more likely to take a negative view on greater cooperation within the EU. I would like the UK to adopt the single currency and coop more closely with the EU. However, first and foremost i want a prime minister with some integrity who believes in social justice. With GB i probably would not get my way on Europe but we may get a decent prime minister who believes in progressive policies.
jim
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