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IMF: Why Gordon Brown doesn’t stand a chance
The Mole: Cameron can’t support Brown for the role - but there’s another name he might want to push...
Gordon Brown has a right to expect a call to his remote retreat in Kirkaldy from the IMF, inviting him to put his name forward for the vacancy caused by the resignation of Dominique Strauss-Kahn. But the Mole would urge the former Labour leader not to get his hopes up too high. He could be sitting by the phone for a long time, without it ringing.
The reason is that David Cameron and George Osborne have made it impossible for Britain to back Brown for the IMF job after spending the last year rubbishing his record in charge of the nation's finances. They have heaped the blame for Britain's record deficit on Brown's shoulders.
That is not to say Brown doesn't have his champions. Geordie Labour supporter Kevin Maguire reminded his Daily Mirror readers this week that Brown's CV includes "gushing references from respected (Nobel Prize) winners Paul Krugman, Joseph Stiglitz and Amartya Sen - the X Factor judges of global finance".
The American Krugman praised Brown for the "clarity and decisiveness" and "stunning speed" with which he acted, and lauded Brown for having "saved the world financial system" when he went into overdrive to fashion a global bailout for the world's banks as the US-led bad debt crisis unfolded.
"Brown, I know for a fact, believes he’s in the running, despite Cameron’s disgraceful opposition," said Geordie Boy. "He's available, untainted by personal scandal and has supporters outside of Britain."
He added in Brown's favour: "Say what you like about Gordon Brown but he’ll never be called a rutting chimpanzee or accused of vilely assaulting a chambermaid in a swanky New York hotel."
Cameron has made it clear he won't support Brown, saying he "might not be the most appropriate person" to head the IMF. As a result, William Hill have put Brown's odds at 8-1 for securing the post. Their short odds are on the former Turkish finance minister, Kemal Dervis (5-2), former IMF director and Indian official Montek Singh Ahluwalia (5-1) and the president of the Bundesbank, Axel Weber (7-1).
The Mole has another name Cameron might consider pushing. He is somebody with a track record on finances that easily eclipses that of Brown, who is a hard-headed politician, is British and could be available for the job tomorrow. Step forward Ken Clarke. The IMF job would be a perfect way of getting Ken out of the headlines. ·
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Well, yes - that, plus his record in causing the greatest financial meltdown in British history, that is. No-one ever voted this Caledonian cockroach into office, and he's unwanted at the IMF too.
This seems like a perfect time for the Brown family to retire to Scotland.
I stand to be corrected, but to the best of my knowledge Kevin Maguire was not born in the vicinity of Newcastle, therefore cannot be called a Geordie.
My understanding is that he originated in the Middlesbrough area, which would make him a Smoggie.