Reporters the world over have been hailing Gordon Brown as a superhero, after his plan to nationalise several of the UK’s struggling high street banks managed to (apparently) divert a meltdown of the global economy. The French have called him ‘a magician of Anglo Saxon social-liberalism’. George Bush has quickly jumped on board with a £142 billion plan to buy shares in Americas leading banks, in addition to dozens of other countries, who have also followed suit.

Mr. Brown has been on the receiving end of a surfeit of negative criticism since his appointment in June last year. His endlessly gloomy persona did not win him many fans when he stepped up to fill Tony Blair’s already unpopular shoes. He seemed to be unable to sway the public, or even his own party, as support for the opposition grew.

But this month has seen the Prime Minister claw back some popularity, which, it would seem, is entirely down to his response to the country’s worsening credit crunch headache. His dramatic turn around has given him the world’s stage, and the ears of the world’s leaders. He has tried to suggest financial reforms in the past, but only now has he been able to make anyone pay attention with his call for “not European, but global measures” to be employed.

Unfortunately for him, despite riding high on his current popularity wave, Britain is facing a difficult future of recession and negative equity. His status may only reflect intense relief at hopefully averting an even bigger crisis, and the fickle public may quickly forget his good deeds when their taxes go through the roof.

May we call you Flash Gordon, Prime Minister?

“It’s just Gordon… I can assure you.”

Danielle Williams

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