Winky to head IMF, CMD to block
Discussion
I'm not fan of GB and agree that the idea of him heading the IMF is laughable. But those that scoff at some of the comments regarding his response to the financial crisis (which I agree he was responsible for, but that's another story altogether) would do well to check their history.
Without doubt, Brown was the one global leader who took the bull by the horns when those around him were in meltdown and the whole global system was on the brink of collapse. Every dog has his day and this one was Gordon's (albeit one that he helped to engineer).
Without doubt, Brown was the one global leader who took the bull by the horns when those around him were in meltdown and the whole global system was on the brink of collapse. Every dog has his day and this one was Gordon's (albeit one that he helped to engineer).
lauda said:
Without doubt, Brown was the one global leader who took the bull by the horns when those around him were in meltdown and the whole global system was on the brink of collapse. Every dog has his day and this one was Gordon's (albeit one that he helped to engineer).
You are having a laugh? He consistently denied there was a problem, and was planning to keep on spending regardless of the ridiculous deficit figures. Some of his minions still maintain there was no problem. tank slapper said:
You are having a laugh? He consistently denied there was a problem, and was planning to keep on spending regardless of the ridiculous deficit figures. Some of his minions still maintain there was no problem.
I was referring to his response to the immediate aftermath of the financial crisis (Lehman collapse and near paralysis/collapse of the global financial system), not his domestic economic policy.lauda said:
I'm not fan of GB and agree that the idea of him heading the IMF is laughable. But those that scoff at some of the comments regarding his response to the financial crisis (which I agree he was responsible for, but that's another story altogether) would do well to check their history.
Without doubt, Brown was the one global leader who took the bull by the horns when those around him were in meltdown and the whole global system was on the brink of collapse. Every dog has his day and this one was Gordon's (albeit one that he helped to engineer).
Isn't that rather like ignoring the fact your car is in a dangerous state of disrepair and likely to burst into flames, then being lauded for quick thinking with the fire extinguisher when it explodes?Without doubt, Brown was the one global leader who took the bull by the horns when those around him were in meltdown and the whole global system was on the brink of collapse. Every dog has his day and this one was Gordon's (albeit one that he helped to engineer).
hornet said:
Isn't that rather like ignoring the fact your car is in a dangerous state of disrepair and likely to burst into flames, then being lauded for quick thinking with the fire extinguisher when it explodes?
I guess, but let's face it, the financial crisis came about thanks to a significant number of factors and players, GB was just one of those. He was the only one that managed to build a global consensus to prevent a catastrophe becoming an apocalypse, so credit where it's due.And just to make clear, I am in no way a Gordon Brown apologist but neither do I have a problem admitting that people I don't like very much can sometimes deliver the goods.
lauda said:
I guess, but let's face it, the financial crisis came about thanks to a significant number of factors and players, GB was just one of those. He was the only one that managed to build a global consensus to prevent a catastrophe becoming an apocalypse, so credit where it's due.
And just to make clear, I am in no way a Gordon Brown apologist but neither do I have a problem admitting that people I don't like very much can sometimes deliver the goods.
Very easy to make decisions when it's not his money he's using for his ego-fest tax payer givaway - any fool could do that.And just to make clear, I am in no way a Gordon Brown apologist but neither do I have a problem admitting that people I don't like very much can sometimes deliver the goods.
chris watton said:
Very easy to make decisions when it's not his money he's using for his ego-fest tax payer givaway - any fool could do that.
As already mentioned, I'm not talking about domestic economic policy. Anyone who's actually interested in the subject would do well to read Andrew Rawnsley's 'The End of the Party'. Rawnsley certainly isn't going to be invited to write GB's authorised biography (he was the journalist who broke the stories about GB's mood swings and allegations of bullying in Downing Street) but he gives an extremely well researched and well informed view of the days and weeks following the crisis breaking and it's impossible to escape the fact that Brown comes out of it rather well.lauda said:
I guess, but let's face it, the financial crisis came about thanks to a significant number of factors and players, GB was just one of those. He was the only one that managed to build a global consensus to prevent a catastrophe becoming an apocalypse, so credit where it's due.
And just to make clear, I am in no way a Gordon Brown apologist but neither do I have a problem admitting that people I don't like very much can sometimes deliver the goods.
I think the issue most people have is with this image of him as saviour of the system, when he was part of the problem that let it get so bad in the first place. Not the sole cause, but that shouldn't absolve him from a degree of the collective blame, which is what the "global crisis" get out seeks to do. Had he been bold enough to turn round during his tenure as Chancellor and say "hang on lads, this is going to end badly, we need to do something here", I'd have more respect for him, even if his concerns ultimately came to nothing, but all his reforming zeal appears to have come after the event. I also don't recall the Northern Rock and RBS bailouts being "bull by the horns" either, there was all manner of faffing about and dithering. Darling probably deserves more credit in all honesty, as at least he voiced his concerns about the depth of the problem. I actually have a degree of sympathy for the man, as not only did he have the whole financial system unravelling in his lap through no fault of his own, he undoubtedly had Brown micromanaging every decision as well. It's a wonder his eyebrows didn't go grey!And just to make clear, I am in no way a Gordon Brown apologist but neither do I have a problem admitting that people I don't like very much can sometimes deliver the goods.
lauda said:
As already mentioned, I'm not talking about domestic economic policy. Anyone who's actually interested in the subject would do well to read Andrew Rawnsley's 'The End of the Party'. Rawnsley certainly isn't going to be invited to write GB's authorised biography (he was the journalist who broke the stories about GB's mood swings and allegations of bullying in Downing Street) but he gives an extremely well researched and well informed view of the days and weeks following the crisis breaking and it's impossible to escape the fact that Brown comes out of it rather well.
Either way, the idiot should stay away from being involved with other peoples financial affairs for life whether that is running the accounts for his local parish council or international monetary policy. Let us remember that we are all still paying for his mistakes and will do for years to come despite what little turds like Millaband will let you believe! 
t-storm he was dropped into. hornet said:
I think the issue most people have is with this image of him as saviour of the system, when he was part of the problem that let it get so bad in the first place. Not the sole cause, but that shouldn't absolve him from a degree of the collective blame, which is what the "global crisis" get out seeks to do. Had he been bold enough to turn round during his tenure as Chancellor and say "hang on lads, this is going to end badly, we need to do something here", I'd have more respect for him, even if his concerns ultimately came to nothing, but all his reforming zeal appears to have come after the event. I also don't recall the Northern Rock and RBS bailouts being "bull by the horns" either, there was all manner of faffing about and dithering. Darling probably deserves more credit in all honesty, as at least he voiced his concerns about the depth of the problem. I actually have a degree of sympathy for the man, as not only did he have the whole financial system unravelling in his lap through no fault of his own, he undoubtedly had Brown micromanaging every decision as well. It's a wonder his eyebrows didn't go grey!
What is more, Brown can't claim say he was battling against the rest of government to do what he wanted because he ruled the treasury and its relations with other departments with an iron grip. He used it as his power base to influence the other departments, and as a result he can't shift any blame elsewhere - he was the money man, and there is no dodging it.
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