'Dour' PM is perceived as uncaring by voters, says new book

Published on Friday 14 August 2009 22:05

GORDON Brown has been branded a "disgruntled dour Scot" who is seen by most voters see as uncaring.

The damning comments come in a new book largely authored by former Labour First Minister Henry McLeish.

In it, psychologist Anne Ellis claims the Prime Minister's personality "just does not cut the mustard in popularity stakes", as she warns that he may lose the next election to a "much more pleasant personality".

Scotland – A Suitable Case for Treatment was written by Mr McLeish with commentator Tom Brown. A chapter contributed by Ms Ellis – a founder of the psychological profiling company PeopleMaps – suggests Mr Brown could learn a lesson from current Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, who she describes as "a consummate politician if ever there was one".

Ms Ellis says Mr Brown is "a very typical example of a dour Scot" and adds: "He has no time nor interest in courting popularity as he wants to get on with solving the problems of the world.

"What he has failed to see is that the role of politician, due to media attention, is more a public relations job than any other."

She adds: "Right or wrong, elections are won these days on personalities and Gordon's just does not cut the mustard in popularity stakes."

The psychologist claims that the fact Mr Brown does care deeply about what he is doing does not come across, arguing that "most of the electorate see him as uncaring".

Speaking about the book in Edinburgh, Mr McLeish said

he hoped it would lead to a debate about Scotland's future and added: "The debate is not just about the SNP, it's not about independence, it's about not only the future of Scotland but the future of the Union."

&#149 'Scotland – A Suitable Case for Treatment' is published by Luath Press on September 1.