Brown World Statesman of the Year

[Mary G]

From the Press Association:

Brown World Statesman of the Year

(UKPA) – 9 hours ago

Gordon Brown may be trailing in the polls at home, but abroad he is being feted as a hero.

Before a motley audience of international notables, the Prime Minister, who is in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, was named World Statesman of the Year.

The award was presented on behalf of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation - which campaigns for religious freedom and human rights - by the veteran US former secretary of state Henry Kissinger.

Rock star Bono, Queen Rania of Jordan, and New Israeli defence minister Ehud Barak were among the audience as Mr Kissinger praised Mr Brown for his "vision and dedication" in handling the world economic crisis.

"His leadership has been essential to our ability to overcome the moment of danger," said Mr Kissinger.

Now, just think, had a different European leader or a left-of-centre premier from elsewhere in the world won this award, then I can see the front page headlines across all papers: “Wretched week for Brown capped as Sarkozy/ Merkel/ Rudd / Obama seizes World Leadership prize”.

Predictably, the Guardian covers it, and The Times includes just a half-line mention in a more wide-ranging article headed “No Obama meeting for Brown in New York”. Not a squeak in the BBC either.

Instead we have ‘churnalists’ in the UK getting their collective underwear in a twist about a non-story earlier this week about papers that were published at the time of the last budget. Because Osborne claimed– wholly falsely – that they had been ‘uncovered’. The media fell for it hook, line and sinker. But I have not heard one media outlet confess to their gullibility since, when it was pointed out how they had been misled.

Proper press scrutiny should be examining how much worse our economy would be right now had we followed the Tories proposals for dealing with the global financial crisis. But I will need more than a microscope to find that in the papers, TV or web news.

[Tom B]

Now, just think, had a different European leader or a left-of-centre premier from elsewhere in the world won this award, then I can see the front page headlines across all papers: “Wretched week for Brown capped as Sarkozy/ Merkel/ Rudd / Obama seizes World Leadership prize”.

Mary G I was going to come on and post that I agreed with you that it seemed a bit biased that this bit of positive news for Gordon had not really been reported here, until I did a quick bit of googling and found out that Sarkozy DID win it last year, and the media weren't interested in it then either - the only press reports then were about what Carla wore, and the fact that Kissinger enjoyed sitting next to her at the dinner. Is the reason that this was not reported here not more likely to be that the grand title of "World Statesman of the Year" sounds good if it was actally the UN awarding it, but it's from the "Appeal of Conscience Foundation" - I don't know much about this organisation other than their website doesn't seem very up to date - not very scientific I know, but never a good sign all the same. In actual fact it could be argued that this award carries about as much weight as the recently awarded World Stone Skimming Champion in Easdale - maybe less.

[Mary G]

Tom

My point was less about the inherent award and more the media’s wilful capacity to ignore facts to pursue their own agenda. My contention remains valid that had Sarko or some other leader won it this year, then it would have been broadcast far and wide that Brown had not won it.

Regardless of the perceived kudos of the award there was no other contender for it this year, in all seriousness, after the G20 in London this spring.

The French heard plenty about it last year when their premier won the award. That we did not hear much about that says more about our UK media, and their failure to report European current affairs properly. Expect a fanfare in 2010 if Obama wins it

[EMDEE]

It was a bit personal and insolent of Andrew Marr to bring up the subject of Gordon Brown's eyesight. Would he have said anything similar to David Blunkett?

[Hume]

more the media’s wilful capacity to ignore facts to pursue their own agenda.

I couldn't agree more....and that is why I am gobsmacked this has been posted by a Labour candidate.

I know you are referring to the UK media but how can you realistically say that considering the pathetic attempts of the media in Scotland to get a dig in at the SNP where possible. The reporting of certain issues recently is becoming more and more farcical and biased by the day.

The latest being that the SNP are 'anti-Glasgow' following the news the Glasgow Airport Rail Link has been scrapped. Some of the comments by Glasgow City Council leader Steven Purcell were laughable. Trouble is, far too many people read it and believe it!

For good measure, I agree Brown has been given a hard time - I've said it on here myself in the past, but people in glass houses and all that.

[four eyes]

are you seriously saying brown does not deserve a hard time? have you been outside in the last year? this clown has led us to bankrupcy,were in serious shit as a country,no im not a torie.turn on your telly,their still at it,harman et al.lets sell of some assets,yea that should do it!keep on rocking in the western world.
its a grand life if you can stand the pace.

[Hume]

If you're referring to my post above, then I don't think I said he didn't deserve a hard time, only that I agree he has been given a hard time, which is different.

It is an enormous source of frustration and anger for me that Briatain's debt and budget / balance of trade deficits are so high and more so that Scotland is part of it!

Yes he deserves a hard time, he has been at the helm of Britain's finances for 12 years.

[Bitter End]

there is a lot o tar commin of the brush , an there are not many politicians lackin in a good coat o it --Remember the Manny in Edinburgh was wanting Scotland to follow the example of Ireland !And it would now appear that the difference between Iceland and Ireland is one letter and about 8 months . I have a strong aversion to them all and vote for the one I dislike least.