Over the course of the last month competence has become the big issue for Gordon Brown.

Northern Rock, the HMRC ID Fiasco and Dodgy Labour Donations over the last few weeks have tainted the Iron Chancellor as the Cheap Tin Premier, with little control over his party or the government.

If Brown can not shift this image quickly in the next couple of weeks he will be stuck with it.

Ming was well aware of what the media is like when they smell weakness or in his case a perceived weakness.

We will know the game is up for Brown when the media go into self perpetuation and we hear the immortal phrase – “Media commentators are saying….”