Another side, when he’s sitting comfortably
"This is an opportunity for you to be a human being," said Fern Britton in an introduction to the Prime Minister that rather gave the game away.
Mr Brown was in sofa television land, on ITV's This Morning show, the usual slot for politicians to display a warmer, caring side, which the Prime Minister admits he does not show often.
Mr Brown, a famously private politician, does not really do sofa television that well. When asked about the price of fuel he can quote the dollar rate for a barrel but not the cost of filling up in Kirkcaldy. He can't help being a big-
picture politician despite claiming to feel the pain of the average guy.
Shared equity, he told Ms Britton, is "very interesting".
But, in an apparent breach of a pre-interview agreement, the Prime Minister was asked about his children and gave a moving insight into his family life. Mr Brown told Britton that his two sons helped him keep politics in perspective.
Despite himself, and all the accusations of being disconnected from ordinary life that have been slung at him in recent days, he came across as a warmer man.
"The most important thing is being a good father and a good parent, as you know, and nothing I do will neglect my children," he said. "It has been such a struggle to have two young healthy children, so it is really important to me."
Mr and Mrs Brown's first child, Jennifer Jane, was born prematurely in 2001 and died aged 10 days. They have since had two sons, John, now four, and Fraser, two in July.
Fraser has been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and Mr Brown was asked if it was "too personal" to inquire about his health. "He is doing well, and although he has got cystic fibrosis he is really doing well and we are very hopeful," he said. "For the condition, you have got to do more sport, you have got to do running, you have got to do keep fit: you have got to do all these things. I want him to be a rugby player or a football player."
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Posted by: Wullie, Aberdeen on 10:56pm Thu 8 May 08
Fearn Britton says
Whats your favourite colour ?
If you were a tree , what tree would you be ?
Whats your favourite Beatles record ?
Broon says
Beatles record, '' Mean Mr Mustard'' and the ''Taxman.''
Aye, its the Spanish Inquisition, expect Broon to be on Blue Peter next. Yup. the fightback starts here, Zzzzzzz.
Fearn Britton says
Whats your favourite colour ?
If you were a tree , what tree would you be ?
Whats your favourite Beatles record ?
Broon says
Beatles record, '' Mean Mr Mustard'' and the ''Taxman.''
Aye, its the Spanish Inquisition, expect Broon to be on Blue Peter next. Yup. the fightback starts here, Zzzzzzz.
Posted by: Vivas, Embra on 11:43pm Thu 8 May 08
We get to comment here ? Hurrah !
We get to comment here ? Hurrah !
Posted by: Vivas, Embra on 11:44pm Thu 8 May 08
When desperate politicians are in trouble then they cynically allow themselves to be potrtayed as family men. Doting dads. As people we can empaphise with. As being "human". As "like us".
Brown realised late in his career the value of having a wife and children. They're **** useful to have at times of crisis when you need to generate some public empathy. And christ he needs that now, so no surprise that this "private man" is happy to use them as a decorative prop.
This is as bogus a move by Brown as anything he's done this last few weeks - from that American Idol smile, to mixing with celebs like Clooney and Shakira, to his laughable claim "to share our pain"
The fact is that Brown is an ego-driven micro-managing , morose, work-obsessed, certainly political and virtually emotionally autistic savant. I'd be gobsmakcked if he sees anything of his children during the working week other than a sleeping head on a pillow. The Party must come first after all.
When desperate politicians are in trouble then they cynically allow themselves to be potrtayed as family men. Doting dads. As people we can empaphise with. As being "human". As "like us".
Brown realised late in his career the value of having a wife and children. They're **** useful to have at times of crisis when you need to generate some public empathy. And christ he needs that now, so no surprise that this "private man" is happy to use them as a decorative prop.
This is as bogus a move by Brown as anything he's done this last few weeks - from that American Idol smile, to mixing with celebs like Clooney and Shakira, to his laughable claim "to share our pain"
The fact is that Brown is an ego-driven micro-managing , morose, work-obsessed, certainly political and virtually emotionally autistic savant. I'd be gobsmakcked if he sees anything of his children during the working week other than a sleeping head on a pillow. The Party must come first after all.
Posted by: Vivas, Embra on 12:12am Fri 9 May 08
Typical Broon, hedging his bets to the max as usual:
"I want him to be a rugby player or a football player." Yup, a bit of middle-england and a bit of council-estate all at the same time.
Surprised that he doesn't want him to play for Scotland AND England when he grows up. Keep everyone happy that wouldn't it ?
Typical Broon, hedging his bets to the max as usual:
"I want him to be a rugby player or a football player." Yup, a bit of middle-england and a bit of council-estate all at the same time.
Surprised that he doesn't want him to play for Scotland AND England when he grows up. Keep everyone happy that wouldn't it ?
Posted by: Colin B, Bearsden on 12:28am Fri 9 May 08
BRown is a psycho and DArling is an IRA sympathiser and Des Browne a known liar and Dougie Alexander well just plain hopeless
Wendy is bendy and a law breaker
BRown is a psycho and DArling is an IRA sympathiser and Des Browne a known liar and Dougie Alexander well just plain hopeless
Wendy is bendy and a law breaker
Posted by: Big Boy Did It, And Ran Away on 1:23am Fri 9 May 08
[quote]nothing I do will neglect my children[/quote]
Unless of course they grow up in Scotland after huffy scorched earth retributions against the temerity of voting in an SNP government.
nothing I do will neglect my children
Unless of course they grow up in Scotland after huffy scorched earth retributions against the temerity of voting in an SNP government.
Posted by: Wardog, Buckie on 2:29am Fri 9 May 08
I can't help feeling that this is an absolutely cynical move.
if it's not then my advice to Gordon, is give it up and spend more time with your family, your not cut out for this politics game at all
I can't help feeling that this is an absolutely cynical move.
if it's not then my advice to Gordon, is give it up and spend more time with your family, your not cut out for this politics game at all
Posted by: Vivas, Embra on 2:53am Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]Wardog[/bold] wrote:
I can't help feeling that this is an absolutely cynical move.
if it's not then my advice to Gordon, is give it up and spend more time with your family, your not cut out for this politics game at all[/quote] Theres no depth he won't touch Wardog
[italic]"But, in an apparent breach of a pre-interview agreement, the Prime Minister was asked about his children and gave a moving insight into his family life. Mr Brown told Britton that his two sons helped him keep politics in perspective."[/italic]
Apparent breach my erse ! Staged, planned and manipulated to appear spontaneous more like. To appear to catch him "off guard" and show us "his human side".
Total guff from Toom Tabbard. Bring a tear to a glass eye wouldn't it just ?
Wardog wrote:
I can't help feeling that this is an absolutely cynical move.
if it's not then my advice to Gordon, is give it up and spend more time with your family, your not cut out for this politics game at all
Theres no depth he won't touch Wardog
"But, in an apparent breach of a pre-interview agreement, the Prime Minister was asked about his children and gave a moving insight into his family life. Mr Brown told Britton that his two sons helped him keep politics in perspective."
Apparent breach my erse ! Staged, planned and manipulated to appear spontaneous more like. To appear to catch him "off guard" and show us "his human side".
Total guff from Toom Tabbard. Bring a tear to a glass eye wouldn't it just ?
Posted by: Victor Smith on 8:30am Fri 9 May 08
Don't worry Gordon - it doesn't qualify for a bonus payment!
seemingly, absolutely no shame about it being blatantly displayed at any time!
However, it seems fair to say that you have the Public appeal as your predecessor Blair - insofar as they are assured you cannot last forever - and hopefully not too long either!!
Don't worry Gordon - it doesn't qualify for a bonus payment!
seemingly, absolutely no shame about it being blatantly displayed at any time!
However, it seems fair to say that you have the Public appeal as your predecessor Blair - insofar as they are assured you cannot last forever - and hopefully not too long either!!
Posted by: Victor Smith on 8:31am Fri 9 May 08
Don't worry Gordon - it doesn't qualify for a bonus payment!
You are not the first person to 'achieve' top job status, via cronyism, nepotism and a slight touch of the 'Peter Principle' - and resulted in abject failure!
Nowadays, and particularly in your field of 'Employment(?)' especially in your own Party - there's an awful lot of it about, and seemingly, absolutely no shame about it being blatantly displayed at any time!
However, it seems fair to say that you have as much Public appeal as your predecessor Blair - insofar as they are assured, as they were with him, you cannot last forever - and hopefully not too long either!!
Don't worry Gordon - it doesn't qualify for a bonus payment!
You are not the first person to 'achieve' top job status, via cronyism, nepotism and a slight touch of the 'Peter Principle' - and resulted in abject failure!
Nowadays, and particularly in your field of 'Employment(?)' especially in your own Party - there's an awful lot of it about, and seemingly, absolutely no shame about it being blatantly displayed at any time!
However, it seems fair to say that you have as much Public appeal as your predecessor Blair - insofar as they are assured, as they were with him, you cannot last forever - and hopefully not too long either!!
Posted by: Victor Smith on 8:34am Fri 9 May 08
Don't worry Gordon - it doesn't qualify for a bonus payment!
You are not the first person to 'achieve' top job status, via cronyism, nepotism and a slight touch of the 'Peter Principle' - and resulted in abject failure!
Nowadays, and particularly in your field of 'Employment(?)' especially in your own Party - there's an awful lot of it about, and seemingly, absolutely no shame about it being blatantly displayed at any time!
However, it seems fair to say that you have as much Public appeal as your predecessor Blair - insofar as they are assured, as they were with him, you cannot last forever - and hopefully not too long either!!
Don't worry Gordon - it doesn't qualify for a bonus payment!
You are not the first person to 'achieve' top job status, via cronyism, nepotism and a slight touch of the 'Peter Principle' - and resulted in abject failure!
Nowadays, and particularly in your field of 'Employment(?)' especially in your own Party - there's an awful lot of it about, and seemingly, absolutely no shame about it being blatantly displayed at any time!
However, it seems fair to say that you have as much Public appeal as your predecessor Blair - insofar as they are assured, as they were with him, you cannot last forever - and hopefully not too long either!!
Posted by: Cadgers, Perth on 8:51am Fri 9 May 08
I wish I'd read this before having my breakfast.....
I wish I'd read this before having my breakfast.....
Posted by: The Wise One, Glasgow on 1:02pm Fri 9 May 08
[bold]But, in an apparent breach of a pre-interview agreement, the Prime Minister was asked about his children and gave a moving insight into his family life. Mr Brown told Britton that his two sons helped him keep politics in perspective[/bold]
An apparent breach of a pre-interview agreement my foot. Sounds to me the interview went to script.
I suppose having 2 kids is the reason he constantly brags about increasing Child Benefit, of which he is a recipient.
But, in an apparent breach of a pre-interview agreement, the Prime Minister was asked about his children and gave a moving insight into his family life. Mr Brown told Britton that his two sons helped him keep politics in perspective
An apparent breach of a pre-interview agreement my foot. Sounds to me the interview went to script.
I suppose having 2 kids is the reason he constantly brags about increasing Child Benefit, of which he is a recipient.
Posted by: Michael Mullins, Dalry on 6:52pm Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]Vivas[/bold] wrote:
Typical Broon, hedging his bets to the max as usual: "I want him to be a rugby player or a football player." Yup, a bit of middle-england and a bit of council-estate all at the same time. Surprised that he doesn't want him to play for Scotland AND England when he grows up. Keep everyone happy that wouldn't it ?[/quote] British Lions?
Vivas wrote:
Typical Broon, hedging his bets to the max as usual: "I want him to be a rugby player or a football player." Yup, a bit of middle-england and a bit of council-estate all at the same time. Surprised that he doesn't want him to play for Scotland AND England when he grows up. Keep everyone happy that wouldn't it ?
British Lions?
Posted by: Samoyed, Costa del Menie on 11:53pm Fri 9 May 08
Can anybody imagine him changing nappies? or reading bed time stories? or pushing the pram to the nearest park? or playing freesbee with the kids and the dogs?
Can anybody imagine him being normal?
Can anybody imagine him changing nappies? or reading bed time stories? or pushing the pram to the nearest park? or playing freesbee with the kids and the dogs?
Can anybody imagine him being normal?
Posted by: Samoyed, Costa del Menie on 11:58pm Fri 9 May 08
Breaking news! Cheerie is going to push the publication of her memories forward to help Broon get out of the mess he's put himself in. There's a whole chapter dedicated to the fine art of making a million a month after retirement.
Visit www.Poitichome
Breaking news! Cheerie is going to push the publication of her memories forward to help Broon get out of the mess he's put himself in. There's a whole chapter dedicated to the fine art of making a million a month after retirement.
Visit www.Poitichome
Posted by: Vivas, Embra on 1:13am Sat 10 May 08
[quote][bold]Samoyed[/bold] wrote:
Can anybody imagine him changing nappies? or reading bed time stories? or pushing the pram to the nearest park? or playing freesbee with the kids and the dogs?
Can anybody imagine him being normal?[/quote] From todays Guardian:
[italic]His preposterous 20-hour days - the Sarah Brown profile in the June issue of Vogue reveals that he is often still working at 4am - will become 22-hour days and at some point, he believes, the voters will realise that he is right. To put it at its gentlest, this is what Joan Didion calls magical thinking.[/italic]
Truly a family man eh !
Samoyed wrote:
Can anybody imagine him changing nappies? or reading bed time stories? or pushing the pram to the nearest park? or playing freesbee with the kids and the dogs?
Can anybody imagine him being normal?
From todays Guardian:
His preposterous 20-hour days - the Sarah Brown profile in the June issue of Vogue reveals that he is often still working at 4am - will become 22-hour days and at some point, he believes, the voters will realise that he is right. To put it at its gentlest, this is what Joan Didion calls magical thinking.
Truly a family man eh !
Posted by: JohnM, Perth on 6:53pm Sat 10 May 08
Vivas, Embra
Like the Guardian quote. Places him exactly where he lives - receiving messages from God over the radio no doubt. What JohnM calls psychosis!
Further evidence of delusion is calling an early referendum request not an early referendum request. Just had to watch the Iain Gray interview again. Must have made Gordon Brewer's newsnight. Saying he's from North Britain. Aff the heid and certainly not fit to govern. He really should just take 5 - decades that is and let us recover from this socialist cr*p.
Vivas, Embra
Like the Guardian quote. Places him exactly where he lives - receiving messages from God over the radio no doubt. What JohnM calls psychosis!
Further evidence of delusion is calling an early referendum request not an early referendum request. Just had to watch the Iain Gray interview again. Must have made Gordon Brewer's newsnight. Saying he's from North Britain. Aff the heid and certainly not fit to govern. He really should just take 5 - decades that is and let us recover from this socialist cr*p.
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