Gordon Brown's Free Fall

The Wall Street Journal ^ | May 8, 2009 | Ian Bremmer

[St. Louis Conservative]

It's hard to believe it's been 30 years since Margaret Thatcher became Britain's prime minister. She is now in declining health and no longer speaks in public, but if this week's anniversary of Mrs. Thatcher's election proves anything, it's that mention of her name can still start an argument.

Some honor her as an unwavering champion of common people and simple principles. Others denounce her as an unbending, heartless ideologue. But virtually all agree that no American president has had a more reliable foreign ally.

A generation later, facing tremendous international dangers, President Barack Obama could use such a partner. That's why the unraveling of Gordon Brown's government and Britain's economic emergency are such bad news for Washington.

Just how poorly are things going for Mr. Brown? His popularity has fallen further and faster than any prime minister since reliable polling became available nearly 80 years ago.

Just six weeks ago, the G-20 summit in London provided him the opportunity to play the role of effective economic crisis manager. But since the event, he's had to fire a close adviser, Damian McBride, when the press discovered that Mr. McBride had attempted to smear various members of the opposition with salacious falsehoods. Mr. Brown's annual budget drew an avalanche of criticism because it raises the income tax rate for top earners to 50%. He thus broke the Labour Party's pledge not to raise income taxes. He's also losing control of his parliamentary majority.

[Empireoftheatom48]

Hear,Hear!!

[Cyber Ninja]

"President Barack Obama could use such a partner."

.....to poop on...

[yongin]

12 years ago, the Tories were declared dead. Now the Tories are poised to return to power. The Tories give me hope that America is just in a cyclical phase.

[1066AD]

There’s also a big scandal about MPs’ expenses coming out Friday, while it likely affects all parties Labour is the one in office and its their Ministers etc who will draw the most scrutiny.

[okie01]

The Tories give me hope that America is just in a cyclical phase.

These are not the same Tories as twelve years ago. They subscribe to most of Labour's policies.

They're getting their shot mostly because Britain is tired of Labour.

[Aquinasfan]

I remember Reagan and Thatcher. It seems like a dream to me now...

[Impy]

I hope Cameron doesn’t govern like a worthless Red Tory.

And that the year long wait for the election doesn’t produce a Labour bounce back. There is time for that.

[EQAndyBuzz]

“12 years ago, the Tories were declared dead. Now the Tories are poised to return to power. The Tories give me hope that America is just in a cyclical phase.”.

The English and us are out of synch with the rest of Europe. While Bush was in office, Europe was leftist moving back to the right. Now that France, Germany, Italy are all to the right, us and GB elect a gaggle of leftist swine.