The papers and blogosphere have got themselves in a spin over the latest revelations from inside Brown’s bunker, and as usual many are getting over excited. This time it is the allegations in Andrew Rawnsley's new book that Gordon Brown bullied staff, and the claims that several resorted to calling the National Bullying Helpline, which have lead to headlines such as “The Prime Monster” in The Sun. With the Tory lead narrowing there is a hope that these character defining stories will fatally wound the Prime Minister, but however much wishful thinking I employ I am certain that they won’t.
There was a time when the phrase that ‘mud sticks’ bore truth. In some cases it still does, but only in the cases of the very worst, stickiest of ‘mud’ stories that connect to the raw emotions of the public (we’re talking moat cleaning and duck houses to be honest). In today’s 24/7 round-the-clock media age a more apt saying has taken prominence: today’s newspaper is tomorrow’s chip-paper. The act of using newspaper to wrap chips has long since been outlawed, today’s newspapers now become tomorrow’s recycled eco-toilet roll, but the fact remains that this story – like most stories – has a limited shelf life and for Gordon Brown it’s simply a case of sitting it out. Like the handwriting and spelling story last November, it will soon be over and forgotten.
What makes the situation even less beneficial to the Conservatives is that – amid a large section of the public – bullying, aggressive and in my opinion slightly unhinged behaviour is viewed as strength of leadership. To a certain degree some people have always viewed aggression in this way, it’s why so many dictators have gained support despite behaviour that is utterly bonkers. Unfortunately the left-leaning media – especially the BBC – has promoted this view of leadership through programmes such as the Marxist caricature of business we call The Apprentice. Aggressive, angry people such as Alan Sugar and his contestants are held up as models of leadership and success (for a contrast watch the US version). In today’s Britain, Brown’s Nokia-hurling, “clunking fist” bullying is seen by many as strength, conviction, and the leadership needed for success. Cool, calm and collected is tragically seen as quiet, shy and weak. It’s therefore imperative that the Conservatives focus on the real issues, and one issue in particular.
Gordon Brown may be a bully but the issue that matters is that during his time as Prime Minister and Chancellor he borrowed beyond belief, going from abusing his Golden Rule to abusing the national Gold Card with very few even noticing. We have spoke briefly about the deficit, but so many people do not even know what that is (we should substitute National Debt instead). It’s not his abuse of staff that should be our focus, but instead his abuse of our nation’s finances. The staff can stand up for themselves. Unless the public understand that Labour maxed out our credit cards to the point they’re about to get cut up at the supermarket till – and we must use such everyday language and comparisons – then a Conservative-victory could slip away.
In short we’ve got to stop attacking Bully Brown, our real enemy at this election is Gordon Gold-Card.