Consider This

There is a country where the democratically elected leader was ousted by an internal party coup. Their current leader was not elected by anyone - he was simply crowned leader of his party after an internal election where he refused to allow anyone to run against him. Since being crowned leader of his party in the non-contest, this leader has refused repeated opposition calls to have a democratic election to give him a mandate to rule. His government have used national funds to prop up banks that have failed partly through government policy. His government have taken the details of citizens - including children - and lost that data, potentially leaving it open to criminal abuse. And his government have taken donations from shady sources that are, by the admission of the government, illegal. This government is incompetent, corrupt and - above all - unelected.

Which country, you might be asking? Somewhere in the developing world? What about a former Soviet Republic? A South American country?

Errr, no. It is here. This is Britain.

Hysterical? Probably. But consider the description above. If it was describing a government in the developing world or Eastern Europe or South America we would be looking down on that country and tutting in a sanctimonious way. The Guardianistas and neo-cons would be united, talking of sanctions and election inspectors. The country would be made into a pariah internationally. However, because it is happening in Britain, it is accepted as ok.

So as you read of every new fuck up and scandal from the Brown administration, every new policy initiative that you don't agree with, remember he was never elected. He has no mandate. This country (for reasons that defy understanding) elected Tony Blair. Not Gordon Brown.