From the article, discussing Brown's fierce abuse of his spineless Labour colleagues: "Both would swallow their pride to retain political office. Their example was copied by others."

The problem is much larger than Brown himself. Until enough members of the Political Class have career-ending encounters with lamp-posts, there will be nothing but a succession of Browns. See Obama.

Although I hate vague descriptions, I'll make one: Brown is indicative of the system, Brown is a product of the system, Brown probably adjusted the system during his reign, but Brown did not create the system, and long after Brown is gone the same fundamental system will produce similar results: socialist policies, a culture of dependence, and crap politicians.

This is similar to what Alice is saying, I think.

Adjustments would be useless. "Changes" within the current system would inevitably be too mild. The system must be replaced and only a very real crisis can provide the impetus for that.

Tom Bower owes Guido a drink because now his book is going to sell a lot better.

Brian, indeed!

I read a piece by Ian Hislop, Private Eye editor, sneering at bloggers. He's obviously demented with jealousy.

Meh, Hislop's job description is pretty much "Professional Sneerer". I wouldn't read too much into it. A jester's lot is not necessarily to be accurate, but merely to entertain.

Let us not forget a Labour Member of Parliament who openly expressed the truth about Mr Gordon Brown many years ago - and who now understands that government spending must be cut.

Frank Field.