The beleagured Gordon Brown is playing a last desperate card in his bid to regain the respect of his party and the public, claiming that his personal expereince of adversity makes him the man to lead Britian through its economic woes. According to today's Times front page, Brown says he will confront current problems in the way he has dealt with his own troubles, making a reference to the death of his premature baby daughter and the loss of an eye in a school rubgy accident.
This is not a show of strength, Prime Minister, it's a naked bid for sympathy. The loss of a child - or an eye - is life-changing. The experience of such tragedies can make you stronger and more determined - or weaker and more susceptible to emotion. They can make you more obstinate - or more vulnerable. But they do not equip you to lead the country. Right now, your decision to trade on tragedy just looks like another bad call.
