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BROWN ‘RANG TWICE FROM BRUSSELS’ THIS MORNING

Aides report hourly changes of mind



Mandelson to press for decision meeting

Backwards,forwards and round in circles: this is the picture emerging from senior insiders today as Gordon Brown agonises over whether or not to go for a snap election date in April.

Last Sunday the PM was buoyed up by Tory gaffes and the emergence from recession, but in the last three days he has become cautious again in the light of a new Populus poll and the Bank of England’s downgrading of economic outlook.

“He is unable to make a decision” said a senior Number Ten source, “and yet constantly pestering everyone with questions about readiness and tortuous debates. We thought we’d get some peace this morning, but he’s been on the phone from Brussels twice to my knowledge already”.

Brown apparently sees today’s announcement of no British involvement in the EU Greek bailout as highly significant.

“He’s seizing on anything and everything” said one MP, “Everything is a world-changing drama and has to be put out as a major victory. But we’re no nearer any decision. Some senior election strategists are going mental about it”.

A meeting of the key decisionmakers took place last weekend, at which (we understand) there was a clear majority for holding the election before the next set of economic data, and prior to Brown’s Chilcot appearance. But then by Tuesday, the PM is reported to have worried about giving off an air of ‘running scared’.

“The problem is” said the Number Ten informant, “You give him the upside, and he mutters about the downside. You tell him the risks, and he contradicts you with the advantages. Most people are past caring any more – they just want a decision”.

As this piece was being prepared and posted, there was speculation that Lord

Mandelson (who is in the Midlands today) would meet Gordon Brown for a crunch meeting later this evening on his return from Brussels. Number Ten confirmed the PM’s return but would not elaborate on his movements.