Gordon Brown as UK Prime Minister?

[Harrison]

It has been announced today that Gordon Brown will automatically become the next UK Prime Minister after no other candidates are standing against him.

I openly admit to being more aligned to the Conservative Party than the Labour Party, but in recent years I have also believed that Tony Blair has been the only PM that was up to the job of representing the UK as our Prime Minister. Many may disagree with some of the decisions he has had to make or represent as the head of the country during this time, but hs has always had a personable and open nature that has worked well in international diplomatic meetings and as a representative of the country.

Now that he is stepping down I just don't personally think that Gordon Brown is the right person for the job. I completely disagree with most of his political beliefs and ideas, but equally I just don't think he looks or sounds right for the job.

The worst thing phsically has to be the horrible thing he does with his mouth when talking that just looks strange, and I don't think representatives from other nations will warm to him in the same way they did to Tony Blair.

So what are your thoughts on Brown taking over as Prime Minister in June?

[Toasty667]

As important as the news is I dont watch it, it's just depressing most of the time.

[Harrison]

That is very true. It's like watching an episode of Eastenders, but with realism thrown in.

[AlexJ]

Isn't this against the Classicamiga TOS to discuss

Having said that, I'm with you on the fact that Blair, as much as he's criticised, will be looked upon as having been a very good PM. People have got hysterical over the fact he took the UK to war, but seem to forget that the final decision was put to a vote in the House of Commons which every elected MP in Britain gave their decision in. More MP's voted for it than against, and therefore we joined the United States. I wonder if had the Tories been in power at the time, the decision been any different. I doubt it. He's also handled events such as the 7/7 terrorist attacks extremely well.

I personally don't think Brown will make a great PM. I think we're going to see taxes increase much more than we did under Blair. He also seems very dull, without the character that Blair showed. When they were campaigning before the last general election Blair dressed fairly casually with open neck shirt and jacket, Brown opted for jacket, with shirt and tie, which looked too formal and not right for the event.

Neither do I think David Cameron and his 'hip' attitude would be the right choice. He says he's all for the environment and demonstrates this by cycling to work, except he has a car follow him, to deliver a change of clothes and shoes. Or the time he flew to the Arctic to show the melting icecaps and brought with him all the press. What's the point in me giving up my car, if he's going to fly thousands of miles to a good photo opportunity?

Having said that, I don't disagree with the way GB will become Prime Minister. People voted for a party (well a local candidate) not for the Prime Minister, so the party that's in power should have the right to choose our PM. It happened before in the early 90's so I fail to see why people are surprised and calling for a General Election. Even more so, as it was pretty clear when before the last election, Labour made it pretty clear that Blair wasn't going to be there for the whole period and Brown was more than likely going to be the one to succeed him.

[Harrison]

This is very true. Although you are meant to vote in a general election based on the overall party values and policies, most people still do vote based purely on the leaders of each party and which they would rather see running and representing the country.

I expect it will be very hard for many to decide come the next elections if a change of leader doesn't happen for both Labour and the Conservatives between now and then. I just cannot see either being liked enough by the general public to want to vote for the party they are fronting.

Isn't this against the Classicamiga TOS to discuss

Well, yes. But as with most things the TOS is only really a guideline.

I think it's OK to post such things in this polls and opinions area as it still keeps it out of the main forum. Just as long as it doesn't involve strong political or religious beliefs that could annoy others.

[AlexJ]

I expect it will be very hard for many to decide come the next elections if a change of leader doesn't happen for both Labour and the Conservatives between now and then. I just cannot see either being liked enough by the general public to want to vote for the party they are fronting.

Yeah, turnout could be very low. Where I am, a fairly safe Labour seat since 1997 went to the Conservatives in the Assembly elections a few weeks ago so with a lower turnout, a few hundred votes could decide the constituency and as such it probably won't be a great idea to vote for one of the smaller parties as a protest. It seems the least worst of the two big ones will get my vote instead. I think we really need to change the first-past-the-post system.