Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Gleeful Brown Is Acting Like a Drunk Dowager

Brits' PM 'swanks' and 'preens,' but the economy is his fault

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Nov 25, 2008 10:56 AM CST

(Newser) – Gordon Brown, "known as a gloomy old nail-biting misery-guts," has turned into the life of the party ever since the economic downturn hit Britain, writes Boris Johnson in the Telegraph. Deeming that the swooning market and plummeting home prices demand action, he's gleefully launched measures that will incur a deficit that's 8% of GDP and a national debt reaching 60%, says Johnson, London's mayor.

Brown "squandered eye-watering sums when times were good" and now he's stuck with this "frantic and unprecedented gamble." Instead of aiding business and boosting job creation, Brown is providing temporary respite with his stimulus package, Johnson writes. "Perhaps, like a bunch of overweight and exhausted lab rats shown one last piece of cheese, we will all scamper off in the direction of the prize, and boost consumption, and keep the economy moving." But Brits are more likely to horde their money, with an eye to inevitable tax increases down the line.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (2)]

Brown chummies up with Spain, Turkey, and China's leaders at a financial summit earlier this month. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Brown's been the "life and soul of the party" ever since the recession. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)

Brown, posing here with America's Henry Paulson, is in "a hole very largely of his own digging." (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

He is like some sherry-crazed old dowager who has lost the family silver at roulette, and who now decides to double up by betting the house as well. - London Mayor Boris Johnson

The more Gordon Brown swanks and preens and
claims he is the man to fix things, the more he recalls the firefighters in Backdraft,
who tried to claim credit for heroically attending an inferno that they had ignited. - London Mayor Boris Johnson,

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Big Government Prevented Great Depression II

...And Republicans kept demanding that it step aside and allow it

(NEWSER) - The economy isn’t in great shape, but we’re going to avoid Great Depression II, writes Paul Krugman in the New York Times. “What saved us? The answer, basically, is big government.” Unlike the private sector, the government didn’t decrease spending as its income decreased, which kept a whole lot of people employed. “Budget deficits are actually a good thing right now,” he writes. More»

It's Too Soon for Feds to Ease Up on Economy

If Washington cuts off the cash, recession will worsen: Krugman

(NEWSER) - With critics prematurely calling on Washington to scale back financial rescue efforts, economic history fans see “déjà vu all over again,” writes Paul Krugman in the New York Times. This is the third time a major economy has been stuck in a liquidity trap, and both previous times these same calls for restraint have been heeded—with disastrous results. More»

Stimulus Sours Obama's European Honeymoon

US urges more spending; EU focused on regulation

(NEWSER) - European leaders’ love affair with President Obama has hit its first snag: Obama is pushing Europe to spend more to battle the financial crisis, while Europe would prefer to focus on stricter regulation, the Los Angeles Times reports. “The Americans should be more modest about giving lessons, because the crisis comes from them,” said France’s recovery minister. More»

Brit Pol Lashes 'Unreachable' Obama Team

'You have a bunch of people who haven't been in government before,' official gripes

(NEWSER) - A British government official has ripped Barack Obama's "unreachable" team as leaders scramble to make arrangements with the White House to organize next month's G20 summit in London, reports the Independent. "There is nobody there. You cannot believe how difficult it is," said the Cabinet secretary. "You get to a certain point, and you can't go any further. A whole new bunch of people come in who probably haven't been in government before." More»

Don't Like the Stimulus? Don't Take the Cash

Opponents can be 'guinea pigs' for alternate plans: Begala

(NEWSER) - Here’s a clear way for political leaders to oppose spending in the stimulus package: “refuse to take the money,” Paul Begala writes for CNN. Case in point: South Carolina’s governor, who opposes the plan, shouldn’t help his struggling state with federal cash. Instead, he can follow his own advice and revive the state economy through tax cuts and trade deals. “Something tells me Gov. Sanford won't take that gamble,” Begala writes. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Gleeful Brown Is Acting Like a Drunk Dowager