BROWN IN THE MOUTH; PM branded a dour Scot in former ally's book.Byline: Magnus Gardham GORDON Brown was yesterday branded a "disgruntled dis·grun·tle tr.v. dis·grun·tled, dis·grun·tling, dis·grun·tles To make discontented. [dis- + gruntle, to grumble (from Middle English gruntelen; see dour Scot" who most voters see as uncaring. The damning comments came in a book written by former Labour first minister Henry McLeish Henry McLeish (b. June 15 1948, Methil, Fife, Scotland) is a Scottish politician. He served as the second First Minister of Scotland from 2000 to November 8 2001, following the sudden death of Donald Dewar. . In the book, psychologist Anne Ellis warns the Prime Minister may lose the next election to a "much more pleasant personality". Popularity And she suggested Brown could learn from First Minister Alex Salmond Alexander Elliot Anderson Salmond, known as Alex Salmond (born December 31, 1954, Linlithgow), is a Scottish politician, and the current First Minister of Scotland, heading a minority government. , who she called "a consummate politician". The SNP SNP Scottish National Party Noun 1. SNP - (genetics) genetic variation in a DNA sequence that occurs when a single nucleotide in a genome is altered; SNPs are usually considered to be point mutations that have been evolutionarily leader is described as "really gifted in telling people what they want to hear, always putting a positive spin, even on bad news". Scotland - A Suitable Case For Treatment was written by McLeish and commentator Tom Brown. In it, Ellis said of the PM: "He has no time nor interest in courting popularity as he wants to get on with solving the problems of the world. "What he has failed to see is that in today's terms, the role of politician is more a public relations public relations, activities and policies used to create public interest in a person, idea, product, institution, or business establishment. By its nature, public relations is devoted to serving particular interests by presenting them to the public in the most job than any other. "Elections are won these days on personalities and Gordon's just does not cut the mustard in popularity stakes. "His being Scottish has been an issue with the electorate - this is not due to racism but more to the fact of him being so typically representative of the disgruntled dour Scot unwilling to give any quarter ." She claimed the fact Brown "cares deeply about what he is doing does not come across". In contrast, she said Salmond's ability to put a good spin on things is a trait he shares with a US president Bill Clinton. She said: "It is probably the ideal personality for a politician - to be charming, charismatic and ruthless." Challenges Ellis added: "Alex Salmond could never solve the sorts of challenges that Gordon could, yet he can knock spots off him when playing to the gallery." By the time "the electorate recognise Brown's worth they are likely to have elected a much more pleasant personality". McLeish said the premise of the book was that Scotland was not realising its potential. He added: "This is a debate about not only the future of Scotland but the union. That's why we call for a debate on some form of federalism." CAPTION(S): RIFT: Brown and McLeish |
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