Prime Minister Heathcliff

Apparently some people look at our Prime Minister and see the Wuthering Heights character Heathcliff. An interviewer stated:

"Some women say you remind them of Heathcliff".

To which Gordo replied:

"Maybe an older Heathcliff, a wiser Heathcliff".

You can understand why Gordon might want to be compared to Heathcliff. It is probably better for his no doubt shattered self-esteem to be Heathcliff rather than Stalin. Or indeed, Mr Bean. But actually the comparison might not be as complimentary as Gordon thinks it is. Let's look at who Heathcliff actually is, courtesy of the sometimes accurate Wikipedia:

Heathcliff is often regarded as an archetype of the tortured Romantic Byronic hero whose all-consuming passions are powerful enough to destroy both himself and those around him.

And:

Heathcliff... is characterised as a passionate, dark, brooding and vindictive man.

Actually, looking at some of those descriptions, they seem to sum up Gordon Brown quite well. And we should be so glad our Prime Minister can best be compared to a psychotic, depressed and (self-)destructive monster from a bleak novel...