Why did Gordon Brown talk about others taking over?

Both parties to Gordon Brown's interview with John Humphries on the Today programme did their best to make it as painful as possible.

After intense and irritating hectoring by Humphries -  which Brown appeared unable to rise above - he seemed to get in a bit of a funk. It's been said before, but often Brown sounds like he is wilfully ignoring questions. Today he was responding to Humphries' questions about Tuesday's 10p u-turn by talking about the orginal 2007 budget decision.

But the low point came towards then end, when he began to sound like he was almost pleading for his job. There was more than a touch of desperation to the line that is now leading news bulletins, "There are many people who could take over but I think I can steer this economy through difficult times."

Why mention life After Brown? Does this mean he's thinking about it? Is he worried about people positioning themselves? What does he know that everybody else doesn't? Or is this reverse psychology, in an attempt to shut people up by making them think through the consequences of ditching him?

Or was it just a meaningless accident?

Comments

[JR]

Im sure it has been discussed in Cabinet - Brown is bearing the brunt of public frustration with pretty much anything going wrong at the moment. Whatever their faults, I don't think the Labour party are naive enough not to have at least considered a change in leadership. And it would also be naive not to at least raise the question publicly rather than pretend to ignore it.

It may well be that Brown is best-placed to lead us through the current difficulties - or it may not. Either way the Labour party needs to demonstrate that they have considered the issue rather than sticking their heads in the sand.

[Paul Owen]

It was a meaningless accident. He didn't mean to say it. It does show that the pressure is getting to him though and that he doesn't cope well with it. We have a PM who did not face election and has been handed the job like royalty. Contrast that with what the candidates for American President have to go through. Brown is not fit for the job but will have to be dragged kicking and screaming out of Downing Street. We will get no say in the matter for 2 more years.

[JohnS]

Gordon didn't raise the issue of his leadership. If i remember rightly, Humphrys first raised it when he said "What is at question is your premiership...you have to wonder if you are the right man for this job?". Brown tried not to answer that particular jibe, but was pressed on it and only engaged when Humphrys accused him & other politicians of being hubristic because he thought he was the only person for the job. Brown denied he had ever said that, & Humphrys apologised, admitting he hadn't. But again Humphrys pushed the issue, asking if there was anyone else who could do the job. If Brown had said 'no' he would have confirmed the hubris jibe, and by saying 'yes' condemned himself to ridiculous blog postings like this one fancifully suggesting he is thinking of giving up the leadership.

Maybe Sam you should look at the transcript and then move on, rather than playing childish, silly games and trying to maintain the myth that Gordon is thinking about standing down. Grow up.

[steve]

am i the only one to notice that Gordon Brown just talked himself out of his job?
he was great at telling us what a good challenor he was and how he'd do a even better job of it in future. the economy is in good hands he says.
well its arguable as to exactly how good a challenor he was but he was obviously better at it than PM. he also said many other people could do the job but the only reason he shouldis the econmy - well if thats the case, resign now, let someone better be PM and you go back to challenor.
its your idea brown - you said - now do it!!

[Mad Max]

The devil is in the detail!

[Steven]

Yes Sam, do grow up and stop playing these childish, silly games, or else we will get very cross and you shall be sent to bed without any supper. Unless ensuing opinion polls then prove this makes us unpopular with you, in which case we will drive you straight to the Ivy.

Of course 'Gordon' hasn't thought about stepping down. He is so far out of touch with public sentiment I doubt the idea that he is in any way responsible for his spineless leadership has or will ever get within a hundred miles of his thought process.

[Jeremy Poynton]

Nope, he's just losing it big time. No wonder, seeing that he has contributed to the current mess HUGELY. I do wish he would not lie so much though.