Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

October 12, 2008 3:47:38 PM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

One Year On, a Prime Minister Diminished

Posted Jun 26, 08 10:11 AM CDT in Opinion,  World 

(Newser) – Gordon Brown has seen his reputation collapse in his year as UK prime minister: once the colossus of the Labour Party who enjoyed buoyant poll ratings, he is now so diminished that many in his own party want him to resign. To mark the first anniversary of his elevation to prime minister, the Guardian provides an in-depth look at the event that changed everything—Brown's decision to cancel a snap election he probably would have won.

As Brown's numbers soared, his young circle of advisers pushed for a poll in October—one even bought a new coat for the stump. But just days before the planned announcement, the new PM became worried about a smaller-than-expected victory and called off the vote. Once seen as tough and decisive, the election debacle re-branded him as a "disingenuous ditherer," and once he does call an election he now might not win at all.

Source Guardian (UK)

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Brown's Failing Eyesight Raises Concerns

    3 hours, 34 minutes ago
    Brown's Failing Eyesight Raises Concerns If Gordon Brown promises not to turn a blind eye to the financial crisis, he could mean that literally—the British prime minister lost the sight in one of his eyes in a rugby accident as a teenager. But now advisers are worried that Brown could lose the already-diminishing sight in his "good" eye, reports the Telegraph.
    More »

  • UK Buys Up Bank Shares in Radical Bailout

    Oct 8, 08 4:29 AM CDT
    UK Buys Up Bank Shares in Radical Bailout The British government will become part owner of the nation's biggest banks with a mammoth $88-billion rescue package for the troubled institutions, the Wall Street Journal reports. Under the plan, swiftly assembled after UK bank stocks plummeted in trading yesterday, the government will purchase non-voting shares in eight of the largest banks as a way to provide extra capital to the institutions.
    More »

  • Brown Appoints Archrival to Rejoin Cabinet

    Oct 3, 08 7:48 AM CDT
    Brown Appoints Archrival to Rejoin Cabinet Gordon Brown shocked the British political establishment by reappointing one of his long-time enemies to his Cabinet. Peter Mandelson, who with Brown and Tony Blair was an architect of New Labour, will be made a lord and become the new business secretary. The return of Mandelson, currently serving in Brussels as the EU's trade commissioner, is "the most astonishing political reconcilation of modern times," writes the Times of London.
    More »

  • Bad News for Banks Is Great News for Brown

    Oct 1, 08 12:20 PM CDT
    Bad News for Banks Is Great News for Brown In America the financial crisis has dealt yet another blow to an already unpopular President Bush. But in Britain, collapsing banks and volatile markets are the best thing to happen to Gordon Brown in recent months. In reasserting his global economic know-how, the prime minister, who is reportedly preparing an American-style bailout, has seen his once dismal poll numbers climb fast, reports the Daily Mail.
    More »

  • Britain to Ax Ban on Catholic Monarchs

    Sep 25, 08 4:41 AM CDT
    Britain to Ax Ban on Catholic Monarchs The British government is planning a royal shake-up of the laws governing who can become king or queen, the Guardian reports. The 300-year-old law currently in place bars Catholics or their spouses from taking the throne, and gives male heirs priority over women; both are targeted for change. Critics say the laws are firmly at odds with modern human rights.
    More »

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown walks by the media as he arrives for an EU summit in Brussels, Friday June 20, 2008.   (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown gestures while speaking during a media conference after an EU summit in Brussels, Friday June 20, 2008.   (AP Photo/Michel Spingler)
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown receives counsel from his delegation during a round table meeting at an EU summit in Brussels, Friday June 20, 2008.   (AP Photo/Michel Spingler)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 2)

Tags

Great Britain  • United Kingdom  • Gordon Brown  • election  • Labour Party


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »