What The National Papers Say About David
He Went for Brown like a Chipmunk at a Bag of Nuts
Quentin Letts, Daily Mail, 19 February 2003
Another Thursday with our old friends the Treasury Select Committee.
Yesterday? A packed house! Gordon Brown was the star turn.
Mr Brown, in the role of bank manager, was there to assure us that everything was under control. Or at least I think so. He uses such bafflingly complex language that it is hard to tell if he has even said 'good morning'.
The committee's two tough guy Tories, David Ruffley (Bury St Edmunds) and Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks) were determined to disbelieve him. Throughout Mr Brown's jargon-packed preamble they struck a variety of sceptical poses.
Mr Ruffley snorted. Mr Fallon laughed. Mr Ruffley crossed his arms and studied the dial of his wristwatch. Mr Fallon rubbed his flattish face, jiggled a knee and exchanged a sardonic whisper with Ruffers.
Mr Brown did not quite say so, but one sensed he was irked. He and Mr Ruffley,in particular, have a brisk disregard for one another.
Within minutes young Ruffleywas going for Mr Brown like a chipmunk at a bag of nuts.
Those of us who, as I say, normally go along to these Thursday mornings for a gentle snooze suddenly found ourselves with something very different. Over to Mr Ruffley, who had been psyching himself up by rocking to and fro in his chair.
He suddenly flew across the room, sinking his gnashers into Gordon's relationship with Tony Blair.
'Will the Cabinet be able to overrule any recommendation you make on the Euro?' Mr Brown, with great suspicion: 'Of course.' Mr Ruffley: 'Supposing the PM takes a different view. He IS the First Lord of the Treasury, even though you think you are.' The committee's genial chairman John McFall (Lab, Dumbarton) tried to separate the two men.
They ignored him and went on shouting. Amid all the hollering, something quite interesting was said.
Mr Brown conceded that if the five tests produce a 'No' to the Euro he will announce only then whether another set of tests will be held.
In other words, he might yet turn round and say, in June, that the Euro is off for good.