Gordon Brown’s “in crowd”
Why am I so unsettled by the current “smeargate” story engulfing Gordon Brown?
I think it’s because my mother’s much-used phrase “You can judge a man’s character by the company he keeps” is ringing in my ears. I am not sure who originally coined the phrase but if we apply this to Gordon Brown , then this is a man with some very serious character flaws. I don’t just mean a dodgy side to an otherwise decent fellow – I mean a deep psychological schism – a lock him up – send in the men in white coats – mark him unsafe to be released back into the community – type of character.
Just take a look at his “in crowd” – the people he trusts, rates, relies upon. (Oh and the “in” refers to infamous, indecent, and incapable (apply as appropriate)).
Damian McBride, Charlie Whelan, Derek Draper ,Peter Mandelson , Ed Balls +Yvette Cooper , Tony McNulty, Alistair Darling , Jacqui Smith, Caroline Flint, Derek Wanless…(I could go on..)
They have variously been sacked but reinstated, cocked up but been promoted or rewarded, had their snouts in the trough but had their gorging defended by Downing Street.
I remember reading a profile on Gordon Brown in The Times back in 2006. He told a story about himself I found somewhat worrying as I read it. It went something like this….”Gordon Brown was quite young when “this guy comes to the door of the manse”. Gordon’s parents have popped out, but he’s well schooled: to a parishioner in need you offer help. He’s seen it again and again – his father, the Rev John Brown, dispensing food, money and advice to the poor. The morality is in his blood. He hears it from the pulpit twice a day on Sunday. “So as my parents taught me, I say, what do you want – help yourself! And when they come back, the town’s most notorious burglar is sitting in the kitchen… ”
So here we are 50 years on and he’s STILL inviting thieves and ne’er do wells to come join him at the kitchen table. That can’t just be naivety. This man is seriously ill. Somebody help him please.