Gordon Brown's 100 days
As Hollywood or Bollywood people do, if one evaluates the 100 days of British Premier Gordon Brown, the scenario is not quite impressive for him, though his Labour Party seems to be better placed than the Conservatives compared to the final days of Tony Blair. Brown might have been surprised by the succession of crises that greeted his first days in 10 Downing Street. Failed terrorist attacks in Glasgow and London were followed by flooding across much of England. The so-called “terror attack” has certainly, as expected, enhanced the chances of Labour to outsmart the Conservatives when the polls take place. Voters also seemed quite content, with a "Brown bounce" in the opinion polls still evident after 100 days. The Independent noted: "To have dissociated himself in 100 days from 10 years of government and to present himself as the candidate for change is an astonishing achievement." The Labour-supporting Daily Mirror gave the prime minister a school-type report. In the Evening Standard, Tom Bower, author of a less than flattering biography of Brown, said of the new PM: "Confounding his critics and defying his own character, Gordon Brown has, in fewer than 100 days, proved to be a vote-winner. Criticism of aspects of Brown's performance as prime minister was not hard to find. Before he became prime minister, the media wondered how the less charismatic - some said "dour" - Brown could follow Blair, a consummate political showman. In office, the new PM made efforts to distinguish himself from his predecessor with a number of announcements, such as reviews of cannabis laws and the government's "super-casino" plan. Brown also invited Tory and Lib Dem politicians to advise him and even some non-Labour figures into ministerial jobs, repeatedly calling for a government "of all the talents". But positive opinion polls - showing a so-called "Brown bounce" - led to fevered speculation about a snap general election, which the prime minister did little to quell. In opinion polls he was awarded an A+ in crisis management, but only a C grade for his handling of environmental issues. Speculation is continuing to mount that Gordon Brown would like to reap the harvest right now as his image has improved slightly and therefore will call a November general election next week.
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