This last week has seen much interest in The business of politics. Gordon Brown was accuses of trying to scupper the Conservative conference by taking a trip to Iraq and rumours were abound that early next week he would call the election. He has since announced that he is not going to call an election and opposition parties are ridiculing him for backing down in the face of defeat.

Bottler Brown

Many are now calling the prime minister this because of his decision not to hold a general election. Two Sunday newspapers with usually completely opposite opinions both today had the same headline; Brown Bottles It. His reason for not calling an autumn election is that he wants to show the country his vision and develop his policies further. More like the end of week opinion polls scared him into thinking he would not win. He could now very well not hold an election until the year 2009. I don't think this is fair on the people of this country as Tony Blair had won the last election on the promise of a full term before he would stand down. It appears that as soon as that election was won Mr. Blair was bullied out of office to make way for the Brown Bottler. Of course he denies that the opinion poles are the cause of his decision claiming that he could win an election now based on competence. He continually claims that we should see him as the only person in the country up to the job of running it.

Conservative Response

David Cameron claims that the reason there is no election is because recent polls show the conservatives closing the gap between the two parties. One poll put Tories 4% behind Labour and another had them equal. The week before the Conservative conference they were as much as 11% behind in one of the polls and this is why Brown thought it might be time for an election. What will be difficult now for the Tories would be to continue to capitalise on the gains that have been made this week. After the summer they have had this is as much a test for Cameron as Brown. The Tories scored some good points over the week with inheritance tax to set at a cool £1,000,000 and complaining about Mr. Brown attempting to spoil there get together. Will it be enough when it comes to election time for real.

Tauntons Politics

How does all of this affect Taunton. Some may say not much as it has been a very long time since the deane had a Labour representative. This area generally vote Tory when there up and Lib Dems when there down. We currently have a Lib Dem MP; Jeremy Browne but we are still governed by a Labour government. This is worse as this government has continually tried to centralise everything taking control from local people where they can. I have a strange feeling that our next MP will be of the blue persuasion.

So should Gordan Brown have called the election? From his point of view, no. Should he even be the Prime Minister? I don't think he should we were promised Blair and got Brown. Will he win the election when he does call it? I sincerely hope not.