London: British Premier Gordon Brown saw his political fortunes fluctuate in 2008 with the ruling Labour MPs baying for his ouster over a series of by-poll defeats before the strongman made a remarkable comeback with his deft handling of the financial crisis amid the global meltdown.
There was a time in mid-2008 when the 57-year-old Labour leader could do nothing right and provoked intense feelings among his party members and a large section of the British public following the repeated humiliating defeats of the party in by-elections.
But the economic downturn saw Brown, former Chancellor of the Exchequer, in his elements, and his political revival soon took off. In fact, many believe that if the economic downturn had not happened at the right time, it would have been difficult to rescue Brown politically.
A recent survey shows that as the economic downturn deepened, Brown's and Labour's standings improved.
Brown, who assumed power in June 2007,"has proved himself to be a steady, determined and forthright Prime Minister this year. He has stood by his convictions and competently handled the economic crisis that we find ourselves in," Keith Vaz, a Goa-origin Labour MP, told PTI.
"Whilst there were those who questioned his authority, these doubts have now been quashed and I believe that next year our Prime Minister will continue to guide us with skill and a steady hand."
After a spate of by-election defeats, the Labour party finally won the Glenrothes by-election in Scotland in November.
