The Midas touch in reverse

[fpb]

It has to be admitted. Just think of the most recent instance: Tony Blair, after a two-year campaign, was supposed to have the European presidency virtually sewn up. Gordon Brown took his side publicly - and suddenly the Blair candidature is in trouble. Brown really does have the Midas touch in reverse - everything he touches turns to ....

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[fpb.livejournal.com]

Basically, long ago Brown had stood aside so that Blair could become leader of the Labour Party, and there was an understanding that if Blair ever abandoned the post, Brown would step in. But in fact, when Blair was forced out of the Prime Ministership by his own party, it was open to party members to propose candidates other than Brown. They did not; Brown was left the only candidate to the Party leadership, was elected, and automatically took over as Prime Minister.

[affablestranger.livejournal.com]

Ah.

[fpb.livejournal.com]

Mind you, Brown, whose supporters include some of the most thuggish elements in British politics, made damn well sure that nobody would dare run for leader. The dislocation this caused may have been mirrored in the fact that no less than six MPs ran for the unimportant post of Deputy Leader. (The wrong one won, too, but that is another matter.)