What does Brown and the government announce? A wholesale economic package to help those 'hard pressed familes' we hear so much about?
No, much better than that... we get internet access for disadvantaged children (didn't we hear about this 6 weeks ago?) and free theatre tickets! Well stone me, as Del Boy would say!
Don't know about you, but I can see Brown and Labour turning round their woeful opinion poll and electoral performances off the back of these revolutionary initiatives.
Maybe, humble Gordon will put right these deficiencies in his conference speech.
Maybe he will set out his mysterious vision (which he's kept as a closely guarded secret for a year). And maybe Brown will say sorry for his own failings (10p tax, the elction that never was, his presentational inadequacies, his inability to say what he and Labour is all about).
Maybe pigs will fly...
It has been briefed that his speech will be about fairness and will show a more caring Gordon, prepared to admit his mistakes.
However, if his speech is anything like his previous efforts, get ready for lots of tractor statistics, Brownies and multiple references to "getting on with the job."
Whatever happens he needs to give a powerful speech, talking of course about the economy but not exclusively, to shore up his position* ... at least until the Glenrothes by-election.
* Not that Miliband, his principal rival, gave a particularly barnstorming speech yesterday. But maybe that was because he was holding something back, fearful of a "Heseltine moment" ;)
UPDATE: I don't believe it! Not one "getting on with the job." Has our Dear Leader finally changed the record...?
.
My IEA article on AI and government
2 hours ago
