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One Year On, a Prime Minister Diminished

How Gordon Brown went from powerhouse to pushover

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 26, 2008 10:11 AM CDT

(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.

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 receives counsel from his delegation during a round table meeting at an EU summit in Brussels, Friday June 20, 2008. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler)

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)

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One Year On, a Prime Minister Diminished

How Gordon Brown went from powerhouse to pushover

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Brown Appoints Archrival to Rejoin Cabinet

Blair ally returns to British government in surprise move

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British PM gets poll boost in crisis, silencing critics

Rowling Gives $1.8M to Beleaguered Labour Party

Admires Brown's efforts to fight child poverty

Leaked Blair Memo Blasts Brown 'Vacuity'

Leadership challenge gains steam as ex-PM slams successor

Humiliating Defeat for UK Ruling Party

Labour comes in 5th place in election on Brown's anniversary

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One Year On, a Prime Minister Diminished

How Gordon Brown went from powerhouse to pushover

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

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

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Brown Appoints Archrival to Rejoin Cabinet

Blair ally returns to British government in surprise move

Bad News for Banks Is Great News for Brown

British PM gets poll boost in crisis, silencing critics

Rowling Gives $1.8M to Beleaguered Labour Party

Admires Brown's efforts to fight child poverty

Leaked Blair Memo Blasts Brown 'Vacuity'

Leadership challenge gains steam as ex-PM slams successor

Humiliating Defeat for UK Ruling Party

Labour comes in 5th place in election on Brown's anniversary

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

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More News

What is Newser?