When Gordon Brown finally became Prime Minister last year, he should have recalled the old saying:
"Be careful what you wish for"
In 2007 the PM appeared calm and statesmanlike in the face of the failed bomb plots in London and Glasgow, the summer floods and the foot-and-mouth crisis in South-east England (however this approach was somewhat undone by his dithering and eventual calling-off of the election-that-never-was).
Now Mr Brown appears beset by misfortune at every turn. He has the Grangemouth refinery strike to contend with, which experts has warned will cost the UK economy £50m a day.
Furthermore, despite his apparent U-turn on taxation, Mr Brown is still facing calls from some of his own MPs to explain the compensation package better to the low-paid workers and pensioners hit by the abolition of the 10p tax band. The PM also faces a backbench revolt over his plans to extend the length of time terror suspects can be held without charge to 42 days.
"Be careful what you wish for"
In 2007 the PM appeared calm and statesmanlike in the face of the failed bomb plots in London and Glasgow, the summer floods and the foot-and-mouth crisis in South-east England (however this approach was somewhat undone by his dithering and eventual calling-off of the election-that-never-was).
Now Mr Brown appears beset by misfortune at every turn. He has the Grangemouth refinery strike to contend with, which experts has warned will cost the UK economy £50m a day.
Furthermore, despite his apparent U-turn on taxation, Mr Brown is still facing calls from some of his own MPs to explain the compensation package better to the low-paid workers and pensioners hit by the abolition of the 10p tax band. The PM also faces a backbench revolt over his plans to extend the length of time terror suspects can be held without charge to 42 days.
Meanwhile Tony Blair's ex-fundraiser Lord Levy has attacked Prime Minister Gordon Brown for not being a strong enough Labour leader.
Add the collapse of Northern Rock, plus millions of tax records lost, and last year's quip from acting Liberal Democrats leader Vince Cable about Gordon Brown's “remarkable transformation...from Stalin to Mr Bean” appears more perceptive each day.
Ministers back under-fire Brown
Add the collapse of Northern Rock, plus millions of tax records lost, and last year's quip from acting Liberal Democrats leader Vince Cable about Gordon Brown's “remarkable transformation...from Stalin to Mr Bean” appears more perceptive each day.
Ministers back under-fire Brown
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