Brown’s failings

Mary Brown (Letters, 3 September) writes in praise of Joyce McMillan’s analysis of the “tragedy” of Gordon Brown’s descent from being viewed as a “world-class politician” to “petulant bully”. I disagree strongly with both of their views.

It is not for black moods that Brown’s reputation is – rightly – in tatters. It is for his many highly questionable actions and omissions as chancellor and prime minister that he will be consigned to the category of political failures.

Moreover, by what standard could he ever have been deemed “world class”? He came into government untried in high office, inheriting a buoyant economy; virtually his first action was to set about private sector pensions in a way that led to their irrecoverable downfall; he sold the UK’s gold reserves not only at rock-bottom prices but also using a staged process which guaranteed rock-bottom prices; he funded the ruinous Iraq war against the wishes of the majority of the electorate; he continued the inadequate regulation of our banks; he failed to reserve from the good times for the bad; he decreed “no more boom and bust” and left us utterly bust. I could go on.

The vast majority of us do not care a jot what management style Brown or any other politician adopts; indeed, my perception of the glacial speed of action on the civil service indicates that a forceful style is rather to be welcomed. We do care about effectiveness and results – and these are the factors that damn him.

DAVID K ALLAN

Mainshill, Morham,

Haddington, East Lothian