Gordon’s real problem is his cowardice
At the end of last week, Labour Party strategists said that they wanted Gordon Brown to get out and meet more ordinary people. To be honest, most of us wondered why he had been so sheltered – after all when most of us are fighting elections,we tr to meet as many of the voters as possible. Today we found out why.
A chat with ‘lifelong Labour voter’ and Rochdale resident Gillian Duffy ended with Brown thanking her and praising her family, saying:
”It has been very good to meet you – and you are wearing the right colour today. How are your grandchildren? … A good family. Good to see you.”
But after getting into the car, unaware he was still wearing a radio microphone, Brown continued:
“That was a disaster. You should never have put me with that woman. Whose idea was that? It was just ridiculous.”
His aide then asked: “What did she say?”, and Brown replied:
“Oh, everything, she’s just a sort of bigoted woman who said she used to vote Labour”
The Channel 4 news site has a video of the encounter.
Watching the whole conversation back, it is difficult to see why Brown felt the need to call Mrs Duffy a bigot. Yes, her views on Eastern Europeans may have made some of us feel uncomfortable, but it was hardly bigoted. The word ‘bigot’ is thrown around too much is politics today, just like the term ‘Nazi’. Save if for those who really fit the bill.
But if Gordon Brown was really a strong and principled leader, shouldn’t he have had the courage to take Mrs Duffy on and speak to her about the issues where he considered her views to be bigoted? Instead he nodded and agreed with her views. If Brown thinks that Mrs Duffy is a bigot, is the word ‘appeaser’ too strong for him?
Earlier this year, the Labour Party ran a Camera On, Camera Off poster, saying that ‘When the camera is on David Cameron will tell you whatever he thinks you want to hear’. Can the same now be said for Brown?
Gordon, stick to meeting Elvis impersonators and cartoon characters – they don’t express their views or answer back.
Update: The Prime Minister is now blaming broadcasters for ‘making a private conversation public’. Oh GET REAL, Gordon!
Related posts:
- Does the Manchester Labour Party believe Gordon Brown is fit to be in Parliament?
- He may be a bigot, but he’s OUR bigot
- Does Gordon Brown really care about our elderly?
Comments
28 April 2010, 2:13 pm
He didn’t agree with her at all. He pointed out that as many people from the UK stay in Europe as come to the UK from there. So he *did* challenge what she said.
28 April 2010, 2:48 pm
he did challenge her…in a pious and arrogant way…and said she shouldn’t be ashamed…..she has every right to be ashamed of them, and he only confirmed what she said about immigration, it’s too easy to label people bigots or racists. much easier than facing up to the hot mess we are in!