Sadly, the government of Afghanistan had become a byword for corruption. And I am not prepared to put the lives of British men and women in harm’s way for a government that does not stand up against corruption.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown • Discussing his plans for Afghanistan in fairly harsh terms. Considering Brown’s talking about Afghanistan right as Obama’s trying to figure out his own plans for sending troops to the country, his words carry extra weight. • source
Gordon Brown’s hearing it after people died. On the plus side, New York Times reporter Stephen Farrell was rescued after just a few days of captivity in Afghanistan. But it came at a deadly cost – beyond Farrell’s interpreter and two Afghan civilians, a British paratrooper was killed. Which means that, since Prime Minister Gordon Brown reportedly gave the final OK, he’s also getting the drama over it. After the fact, though, Brown’s denying it – he says he was only consulted. Hmmmmmmm. source
Can we get unity under the current leadership? I am not sure that we can and I think we need to debate it urgently and I think probably it will need a change in leader.
Charles Falconer • A former senior Labour Party official, on the uphill battle Prime Minister Gordon Brown faces in the U.K. Election results for the European Parliament are expected to be brutal today for the ruling party, caught up in scandal and facing criticism about a lack of a coherent policy agenda. And Brown, the guy on top, has felt it the worst, losing half a dozen cabinet members this week alone. • source
I now believe your continued leadership makes a Conservative victory more, not less likely. That would be disastrous for our country.
Work and Sensions Secretary James Purnell • Who, in a very harshly-written letter to the media, asked Gordon Brown to resign. If it were just Purnell doing this, it’d be a big deal, but he’s only the fifth Labour Party member to resign from Brown’s government this week. WTF dude? Can’t you keep it together? Need a hug or something? Labour Party support is at historic lows, BTW. • source