Friday
(0)Over at Oxblog, Josh Chafetz has some surprising quotes of Gordon Brown on the subject of the EU. I nearly fell off my seat when I read this one:
First, Europe -- both within the euro area and outside it -- must reject old models that failed and embrace labor market flexibility combined with policies that equip people with the skills they need for work. Because just 5% of Americans out of work experience unemployment for more than a year -- in contrast to 50% of Germany's, 30% per cent in France, and 60% in Italy -- we should reject any new directives that damage employment and growth.
I would perhaps not go so far as Josh and say this indicates the reality of the break of Labour with its past. Still... I cannot ignore a sign of economic sanity in early 21st century Britain.
One does need some hope.
Dale
Please stop misspelling " its " as " its' "!
I know this is a nitpick, but it distresses me unduly.
Posted by Jon B at September 19, 2003 10:04 AM
Agree, I can't seem to be able to edit them all out on time. Distressing for me too! :-)
Posted by Adriana Cronin at September 19, 2003 10:10 AM
Just a matter of extending a style too far, but you are correct.
It is also well known from netnews days that when discussions fall into spelling and punctuation on a thread, the thread topic is dead.
This one had a rather short lifespan.
Posted by Dale Amon at September 19, 2003 10:21 AM
Well, at least you didn't accuse me of being a spelling Nazi.
Posted by Jon B at September 19, 2003 10:30 AM
I am prepared to herald Gordon's Brown writings as a 'sign of economic sanity', Dale, provided he adopts a similar approach to taxation...
Need to revive the thread, coz I don't like no rules... ;-)
Posted by Gabriel Syme at September 19, 2003 10:32 AM
The Telegraph had an opinion piece by Robert Harris this morning in which he makes a good case for it having been Tony Blair who was carved up at that Granita dinner, not Brown. Very interesting and convincing theory.
Posted by Verity at September 19, 2003 11:47 AM
This is another example of taking what people say seriously. I wish people were as Dale thinks they are, but they just are not.
Mr Brown has been saying things like this for years - the same years he has been imposing ever more taxes, spending and regulations (including labour market regulations).
Posted by Paul Marks at September 19, 2003 02:18 PM
Always Remember: Apply the newspaper to the back end of the dog when it is bad and the chewy treat to the front end when it is good.
Posted by Dale Amon at September 19, 2003 04:54 PM
Anyone any idea what the same statistic is for the UK? Mr Brown appears to have been (un)surprisingly quiet in that respect...
Posted by Mark Hulme-Jones at September 19, 2003 10:37 PM
Gordon Brown talks the talk. But does he walk the walk? Does he bollocks.
Posted by David Gillies at September 22, 2003 09:04 PM
I agree with Paul. This is an old politician's trick - pretend to agree with critics, and they will support you even though you are following your own agenda and not theirs.
People are generally gullible and think they are being told the truth. Therefore lie to them convincingly and they will give you several years grace during which you can enact your agenda without them kicking up a fuss. When eventually caught, deny repeatedly. When denial wears thing, change the subject and invent some "emergency" to get your problem off the front pages.
A politician's words are worthless. Judge politicians by their actions, not words
Posted by Cobden Bright at September 22, 2003 09:42 PM
