WOW. Jeremy Hunt lifeline right there. Murdoch calls Brown unbalanced…—
Dan Sabbagh (@dansabbagh) April 25, 2012

While Hunt waves/drowns in Parliament Murdoch has been shining some light on Brown. The key quote from when the Sun switched to supporting the Tories in in late 2009 Murdoch confirms that Brown called to say:

“Your company has declared war on my government and we have no alternative but to make war on your company. It never occurred to me that our lack of support for Brown would lead to obstacles in our plans for a takeover of BSkyB.”

A claim denied at the time…

When it emerged that Gordon Brown had made £1.4m since leaving office on the international speech circuit, his spinners were quick to point out claim that “not a single penny” had gone to Brown himself and instead it was all given to charity. But that’s not quite true.

The most recent set of abbreviated accounts for the Office of Gordon and Sarah Brown (Ltd.) paint a different picture. Though they do not give a turnover, or how much actually went to charity, or how much was spent on “administration”,  they do show that at least 20,934,300 pennies are being held by the Browns in cash. No income tax on that…

We now live in a country where caviar is untaxed and a hot pasty is. Guido isn’t sure that’s quite the fairness agenda the government were trying to push and the continued budget hammering is well deserved and will be ongoing. A 10% drop in the latest polls suggests that raising taxes instead of cutting spending isn’t popular. Who knew?

Guido suspects Cornwall is now off Dave’s Easter holiday destination list. His government has fiscally attacked their national dish…

And just when the government are getting it in the neck, walking Tory liability and Young Conservative Chairman Ben Howlett goes out of his way to help matters:

Just the image the Tories want right now…

Well in his head at least…

See also: EMAIL LEAK: Balls’ Spinner Admits “Screw Up” But Briefs Opposite

Urgent Question in the House this morning @ChrisLeslieMP calling for a Budget leak inquiry—
Labour Press Team (@labourpress) March 22, 2012

Guido isn’t exactly sure why Labour are taking their eye off the bigger picture and making such a fuss about Budget leaks today. They are in a stronger position because of them, though it will win some brownie points with a bruised Bercow. Ernest little Chris Leslie has been granted the imminent Urgent Question, but Labour managed to leak the news that it had been secured on their Twitter account before it was announced by the Speaker’s office. So much for playing by the rules…

UPDATE:

Chris Leslie, one of Gordon Brown's former right hand men, shows brass neck by criticising Budget leaks as 'serious' and demanding inquiry.—
Kirsty Walker (@kirstywalker1) March 22, 2012

Not only did Leslie manage to keep a straight face, but he even managed to feign some anger.

A great spot by Emily Fox over at the Express:

Most unlike Gordon…

He may shun most of his backbench duties in favour of flying around the world for speeches and funnelling the fees through his shell company, the “Office of Gordon and Sarah Brown”, but the former Prime Mentalist has actually managed to turn up in Westminster today. Coincidently there is a state occasion rather than any pressing issue for the people of Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath…

Despite shirking his responsibility as an MP, Gordon is still happy to use taxpayer-funded rooms on the Parliamentary estate. He’s got at least two booked today. Guido hears Gordon is having a small gathering after the Queen’s speech. Form an orderly queue Labour types…

With World Bank President Robert Zoellick stepping down on June 30, the successor would traditionally be another American, Guido has a better idea. One wannabee candidate has proved their pulling power by making over £1.4 million from speaking engagements. This man has written weighty tomes on the economic crisis, and claims to have all the solutions. If those plans do not work, he can always full back on the moral compasses given to him by his father. A man who says he not only saved the world and saved the banks too:

Surely it is time for Gordon to stand down as an MP and begin a full-time campaign to become the next president of the World Bank.

Some people are sceptical of the Curse of the One Eyed Son of the Manse and think that Guido exaggerates the power and reach of the curse. As this blog would take no pleasure in reporting, stock markets fell in the wake of his visits, natural and political disasters would hit the countries of leaders he met and the most powerful element of the curse was that any association with any sporting figures resulted in them losing. Raith Rovers had cause to regret Gordon Brown’s support…

Back in October 2009 Iain Martin predicted that the jinx would put fear into fans of Glasgow Rangers. With the Club going into bankruptcy, so it has come to pass…

See also: Brown Gets the Celtic Treatment

Whoops…