Cast in this Unlikely Role

It's hard not to feel sorry for Gordon Brown. All the man really wanted out of life was to be PM. He apparently didn't have anything that he wanted to *do* once he was PM - he just wanted the office for its own sake, not for what he could use it for. Because of that, he was unwilling to risk an election when he might have won a mandate. He didn't need the mandate, since he didn't intend to use the office's powers. I honestly think that the reason he didn't want to do anything is that he wanted everyone to like him, and taking action is bound to alienate at least some potential supporters. True as that may be, doing nothing wins you no active supporters at all.

Cool as it may be to sit at Churchill's desk, and have your picture everywhere, it's all just pretend if you don't use the position to try and change the world. Great leaders may be loved or hated, sometimes both, but they inspire feelings. I don't think anyone even hates Gordon Brown. They just want to replace him like they would a burned out light bulb, so that some work can get done.