Brown's First Hundred: Day 3

The enormity of the discovery of the first of the two failed car bombs sunk in slowly through morning. As the minutes ticked by and new details emerged I found myself adjusting the start of my piece for CiF today (see below). Once it was filed, concentration was difficult. The TV and radio gripped me as tightly as they had yesterday when the cabinet was announced but, of course, far more chillingly. In fairness to Jacqui Smith, landed with a potentially catastrophic terror attack on her first full day in her new job, she cut a calm, confident figure speaking outside Number 10 with the newly appointed and rather daunting figure of Admiral Sir Alan West at her shoulder. It was easy to see why West, a Falklands veteran, was asked to be present. But as the BBC's reporter observed it was interesting that Smith, rather than Brown, emerged to address the cameras. Would Blair have stayed indoors in the same circumstances? Whatever the thinking behind that, it showed that Smith wasn't going to hide or be hidden, which was important I suppose. It's a big job, running a country. Sometimes I really admire politicians.

Comments

[Al-Muhajabah]

I think it's important that she displayed herself publicly to be in charge. Women often have to work harder to be respected in positions of authority, and I think it would be difficult for her - more difficult than for a male politician - if it seemed like she was being pushed aside by Brown or by other men.

I hope they find the people behind this, that's pretty scary! From a map, it looks like it's not actually that far from Hackney where you live?

[Chip Dale]

Odd, but I have exactly the opposite reaction. I have a deep cynicism about politicians at a moment of crisis. They must live for these moments, when they can step forward and take charge. They can't be in politics to be involved in the day to day running of a department. Brown's gravitas when speaking about important events now seems tinged with a deep delight at finally being the man at the top.