Anyone but Brown

It has always been a curious feature of human psychology that people can persuade themselves of the absolute perfection of their leader despite all evidence to the contrary. When a number of televangelists came unstuck through their sleazy activities some years ago there were still followers who remained convinced that their leader was more sinned against than sinning.

So, no matter what, there will be those who continue to believe in Gordon Brown although that band will become very small. I noticed yesterday that the message of Labour investment versus Tory cuts had been modified by Lord High Everything Else to Labour's wise spending versus Tory attacks on public services - a subtle but important difference.

The public are not going to buy into this. The Times today announces a poll which establishes that a large majority feel that anyone but Gordon Brown would be a better leader. Precisely.