British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is in the midst of an election battle for his political life. In Brown’s campaign against a strong mainstream contender (Conservative David Cameron) and a surprising upstart (Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg), the stakes are high—which makes it all the more surprising that he and his handlers would fall into the kind of amateur-hour gaffe that has created a national scandal across the pond. Earlier this week, a miked Brown was in Rochdale speaking to “real people,” among whom was a middle-aged woman who voiced some concern about the UK’s immigration policies. The exchange over, Brown got back in his limo and muttered to his aides about his displeasure at being confronted by the woman—whom he then called “bigoted,” forgetting that his mike was still on. And so the Prime Minister of the country was left apologizing for insulting a citizen who was just expressing her views and asking questions. Welcome to “Bigotgate.” Later, on BBC Radio, Brown apologized “profusely” for what he said, but hedged his apology with a vague implication that the woman was indeed bigoted towards immigrants. And then he then laid some blame on the broadcasters who replayed what he thought was a “private conversation” in his car. Note to the PM: if the microphone is on, it ain’t private. Fumble, followed by poor attempt at recovery, Gordon Brown.
0 comments:
Post a Comment