In the Commons yesterday for Dave’s statement on the G8, when Harriet Harman asked him to give due credit to Gordon Brown for his work on international development, Dave retorted “I’d be delighted to, if he could be bothered to turn up to this House.”
If Gordon is taking the time to write his memoirs at our expense he should be ashamed. If he is in fact mentally incapacitated (cue howls of protest, but the rumours are circulating most widely in Labour circles) then he should stand down and take a rest.
Gordon was famous for his Macavity instinct – avoiding negative situations – this negative situation will continue until he either goes back to “getting on with the job” for which he is paid, or he resigns. The sooner the better.
UPDATE : Think last night’s vote on VAT was a three-line whip and Gordon didn’t care to vote. So much for standing up for fairness, remember “I will never let you down”…
Gordon broke away from answering the door at his Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency office to briefly show his face during prayers in the chamber of the Commons yesterday.
His visit lasted 6 minutes according to Quentin Letts…
Not exactly giving the taxpayer value for money is he? He never has though, has he?
Picture courtesy of Stramash.
After some excitement this morning that Gordon Brown might actually be in town to represent his constituents the truth unravels. While he may have put a fleeting five minutes in the chamber, (making the number of days he has been in two out of a possible forty-nine,) King of the Lobby Gary Gibbon has what he was really down here for. A meeting with a Kennedy, a chat with Sir Tim Berners-Lee about his future employability and a natter with his old cabinet allies.
All wonderful representation for the people of Kirkcaldy.
UPDATE: Via EyeSpyMP we learn that Gordon has even brought his “wee son” to his day at the office. Clearly “getting on with the job” is his top priority.
+ + + Developing + + +
UPDATE: According to Robert Halfon MP, Gordon entered the chamber briefly for Defra questions. Jonah’s back…
Once upon a time there was a man who claimed he woke up every day to “fight for a fairer Britain”. Britain may have said no, but he was returned overwhelmingly by one small part of it to represent and fight for them for the next five years. But this man is refusing to represent them and has now gone missing. Finally we learn he has abandoned his responsibilities and is sticking two fingers up at representative democracy to instead obsessively watch every single World Cup match on telly. While he rocks back and forward in his underwear, ticking off the games on his free Daily Mirror World Cup pull-out wallchart, the taxpayer is picking up the tab.
Gordon was quick to head down to Parliament to sign on for his cheques, so that for an hour and a half of football he is set to make around £45+ per match, or just over £3000 for the sixty-four game tournament. Find Guido any sports fan who wouldn’t love to be paid to sit around watching football. Thousands would have gone to the World Cup if it wasn’t for the cost and yet the taxes that deprived them of the trip are paying for Gordon to watch. Where’s the “fairer Britain” there?
If Gordon Brown needs time to reflect, plot revenge, write his book, find himself, detox, or whatever it is he is doing all alone in Scotland – fine – he should not expect to be paid for the pleasure by the taxpayer. There are 93,272 constituents in Kirkcaldy who are completely disenfranchised from the political system while their elected representative broods in a darkened room. Brown needs to make a decision – walk into the sunset and break completely from the House of Commons, or engage in the job he was elected to carry out and is paid to do. Guido is one of those inclined to say Brown is bonkers, but while this situation is allowed to continue the taxpayer is being taken for a fool. It is time to blow the final whistle on Gordon’s sulky withdrawal from parliament. He should either resign or “get on with the job”…
*Fag-packet maths: 252 working days a year. 9 till 5 = 8 hours per day = 2016 hours per year. £64k divided hourly = £32 per hour = £48 per game. And that doesn’t include expenses.
Labour are running round like headless chickens this morning. Alastair Darling has had a lie-in, attack dogs like Liam Byrne are nowhere to be seen, while Harman and the leadership candidates are all trying to get a look in. The airwaves have no-one of economic authority to hand from the opposition benches.
Foolishly they are really overlooking one MP who could coordinate and streamline their attacks and message. Where is the man who “abolished boom and bust”? The “best man for the job”? The man who kept debt low, who invested for the future, who fought for fairness and Britain every day. The man who “made all the right calls”, the man of “substance”.
Where is “the great clunking fist” and why isn’t he “getting on with the job” the taxpayers pay him to do?
