THE SOFIA ECHO: The Telegraph is no friend of Gordon Brown’s Labour government, but its report that Labour’s looming humiliation in the European Parliament elections has profound domestic political ramifications is likely to resonate across the country.
"One thing is clear: most people want an election either now or, preferably, in the autumn once parties have cleared out candidates they do not want to stand in their colours," the Telegraph said on June 1 2009.
"Only one third want Mr Brown to go the full term which would take him to next summer. If Labour does come fourth on Thursday, the option may no longer be in his hands," the newspaper said.
The Telegraph, which has led the way in coverage of the expenses scandal, also gave prominent coverage to the controversy around Tory leader David Cameron’s mortgage payments. Most observers believe that both mainstream parties in the UK will be punished because of the expenses scandal.
Brown has insisted that he will stay on even if Labour is routed at the European Parliament polls, telling the BBC Radio 4's Today he was not "arrogant" or "unwilling to listen" but would "stay on to do the job" before calling a general election.
"I'm the best person to clean up the political system," Brown said. "I think the cleaning up of the political system is best done by someone who has got a clear idea of what needs to be done - and I have." >>> By Clive Leviev-Sawyer | Monday, June 01, 2009
