Style over substance, Mr Brown

Dear Gordon Brown,

The irony is palpable.  Having spent so many months accusing David Cameron of being light on substance and action, you are now guilty of precisely the same failure - this time over the problems in Burma.

There are many reasons why your stance is embarrassing.  The military regime in Burma has been in power for years, and I don’t remember you or Tony Blair trying to do anything about it.  Only now, when a demonstration begins, do you start to become involved by vigorously wagging your finger at the Burmese leaders.  I notice that it was only yesterday that the UN Security Council had a meeting about the situation, despite the protests starting at the end of last week, and I’m sure the Burmese authorities are quaking in their boots at having to deal with a UN Special Envoy.  “The whole world is watching Burma now and the age of impunity is over for anyone in that regime who commits crimes against individuals or the people of Burma.”  Yer, sure.  Like I said, lots of finger wagging but no substance.  I try to support the UN as much as possible, but if this is the best it can do we should all be ashamed.  My thoughts are with the innocent civilians who are picking up the tab for your inaction.  I wonder what your reaction to the crisis would have been if a radical Muslim dictatorship was in power in Burma?

Yours in despair,

A.Tory