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I'm not on holiday either, having started a new job end of May. Hope Mr Brown got to see a bit of the US whilst here, and perhaps he could return and see a bit more.

Whatever you do makes someone happy but if the governments NHS proposals produce better care for less then the proof of the pudding will be in the eating. Yes, consulting doctors and patients about change has benefits but most of the issues could probably be answered with desk work. It's just another issue of getting the job done versus salving egos. Consulting is fine but not at the expense of losing focus. It's called goals and teamwork, not rocket science.

Fashionable green taxes just look like more complication and have a weak link with changing habits of consumption and investment. It's just more taxing the poor while nothing changes. Investment in an integrated high quality, cheap, and reliable public transport, private hire, and car rental for one-time trips is as old as Isambard Kingdom Brunel. We need more engineers not more lawyers.

From my experience of trying to hold local government to account any change will be opposed, lies told, and populism paraded before the ego admits its not the only pebble on the beach. And yes, people will watch you die, kick the boot in, and line their own pockets while it happens. if something is scientifically sound, accessible, and moral just shut up and do it.

Build a new NHS. Build a new transport system. Anything else is comment.

But some politicians are still around and for the many of you who posted your own interesting, and wildly differing thoughts on the EU treaty, I predict more rumblings on that early next week.

It shows that people at the top and bottom aren't much different from each other. I don't mean that in a bad way. And it's nice that Laura mentions it because it could seem that commenting when Nick was around was like shouting at a brick wall. I'm not judgmental about that. It's just a different style but, again, an interesting reflection on getting ahead and getting along.

So if the deputy-less prime minister is still in charge while he is on holiday in this country, who was in charge when he was visiting the US "on business"? And if it was him, why is that any different from him being in charge when holidaying overseas?

I am spending my summer holidays in Scotland,probably the most beautiful country in the world-Gordon Brown is so lucky to be living there.Theres no need for a foreign holiday when you live in Scotland!Ok the weathers not so good,but I suspect Gordon prefers the rain anyway!

Interesting, isn't it, that Gordon Brown has eschewed his favoured USA holiday destination for a "spin" round the UK. Gesture politics of the most pointless and pathetic kind.

Interesting, isn't it, that Gordon Brown has eschewed his favoured USA holiday destination for a "spin" round the UK. Gesture politics of the most pointless and pathetic kind.

Maybe, a more interesting question is why do people rush abroad so readily? Bottom line, British transport, destinations, and atmosphere could do with serious improvement. If the government presses ahead with making things happen on all these fronts then Britain will be a better place to live, work, and play.

I could argue that Campbell and Cameron jetting off is just so much hypocrisy but it would be no closer to the truth than saying Brown is full of spin. It's just so much arguing and finger pointing. People have become so used to mediocrity that it's difficult to imagine something better but better is possible.

Perception always lags reality which is why it's a good idea to aim for where the puck is going to be otherwise you'll miss it. Gordon's holiday in Devon is pragmatic and visionary in some ways, and if he continues to lead the way then Britain could well be a more comfortable, delightful, and beautiful country in years to come.

A man is measured by the scope of his vision, yes?

There are vacations and vacations. While our men in uniform are engaged in war risking their lives, our politicians enjoy the good times provided by their nice incomes. It feels like living in different worlds and it is absolutely awful. Is it only me who has become absolutely cynical or there are others out there who feel the same? It makes me feel terribly ashamed of being British. In the beginning, I used to watch the ceremonies when bodies are returned to Britain. Not any more. It is much too painful. Will I vote in the next General Election? Maybe not. Does it matter?

so brown is saying that britain is the best place in the world for a holiday..

..that may be the saddest piece of spin ive heard all year.

GB has been holidaying in Britain for a number of years, that's not news. #8 Carlos: Shall we all give up our own jobs and vacations to help our Armed Forces? It would be interesting to see what happened if NO ONE voted.

I find it amusing to hear a ´óÏó´«Ã½ journalist moan about anyones lavish trips abroad. Politicians make decisions that affect millions, while journalist listen to lobbyists, make snide shallow comments and check their hair.

Very dull.

Should where the PM goes on holiday be an issue? No, it shouldn't. It became one with Blair because the media made it so. If Blair had been as concerned as people thought he was with media spin, he'd have holidayed in Britain. But he decided not to let his life be determined by headlines - and I don't blame him for that. Gordon Brown usually spends his summers at Cape Cod in the US. The fact that he's not doing so this year suggests he's just after positive headlines. And, from your blog, it looks like that's exactly what he'll get.

Dear Ms Kuenssberg.

I don't give a damn where these people spend their holidays. I would like a say about whether I agree with a European Constitution or not.

I'd like to hear what the Middle-East "Peace Envoy", Tony Blair thinks about the US decision to sell over $100 billion dollars worth of "new" weaponry to favoured Middle-East country's?.

I'd like to know what use the vote is?, when the truth is they will all do what big business tells them to do.

And I'd like to know; what is the point of writing a so-called "Political blog", if it does nothing to stimulate debate?.

Just listening to the news about Foot & Mouth, is it me or is Gordon Brown a curse on the country?

Nation flooded, Foot & Mouth.....we'll have a plague of locusts next.

The politicised tabloids seem to be making us all very petty. We should want anyone with the day to day responsibilities of a PM to have refreshing holidays that would be to his liking and not chosen by his political opponents.
Enough of this spiteful tittle tattle.

Hi Laura,
First few days and we get the terrorist attacks. A week leater and the midlands get a deluge of water. A week later and Surrey gets the Foot & Mouth again.
There is no peace for the wicked, goes the saying!
Our new PM has not had a day's rest yet, but he is proving to cope very well, and without any hype or PR spin in dealing with all these situations.
My friends and I are taking to like this guy as he works in a humble way.
Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues. Isn't that what Confucius teaches us, Laura? Have a nice day.

I'm glad Gordon Brown is holidaying in Britain this year.

Promoting Britain in this way demonstrates how much of a privelage he regards being PM as.

He is, without a shadow of a doubt, proving to be a truly great Prime Minister.

However, I see he's already being accused of "spin" for choosing to take his hols here.

It just goes to show that no matter what he does, he'll never win with some people.

There'll always be the negative cynics who are unable to accept that there not everyone has the same immoral mind set as them.

I get really frustated by the amount of coverage over where our political leaders go on holiday.

There are so many things that really matter in life no matter what your political colours are, and the choice of holiday destination isnt one.

So, forget where Brown, Cameron and Campbell go on holiday. Go on holiday where you like whether it is Vegas or Venice, Somerset or Scotland.

And when you get back from holidays, ask what we can do to improve the NHS in this country, protect ourselves from terrorism, live in a society free of fear and ensure our kids are well educated and ready to face the world we live in.

Have a good holiday......

I think Brown has a problem in that he does not trust someone else to mind the shop.

I can understand why he has taken time off from his holiday as the PM obviously has an ingrained insecurity of his legitimacy in office. For this reason and this reason only the "Guff" about elections keeps on arising. There will be no election this year and I seriously doubt one next year either.

The problem for Labour is the terms on which they relate to the lenders can hardly be described as brilliant. I doubt these business people are going to let them off the hook and scrub the debt. I doubt too that further restructuring or postponements of the loans will take place.

This is why in relation to the PM's Knee jerk I’m in control demonstrations and spinning about early elections goes on to legitimise the PM's position in terms of his "right" to office and continued presents in office.

I do think the PM has had a very fair wind indeed and paradoxically, when "normal" service resumes after the summer holiday. Brown will have to sustain a tread mill of government releases or he will be perceived to be loosing momentum and control.

Americans anti-bullying organisations expressed anger at how US President George W. Bush insulted a ´óÏó´«Ã½ journalist during a press conference.

´óÏó´«Ã½ political editor Nick Robinson was present during a press conference at Camp David and asked a question, like other journalists did before him during the press conference.

I got the above from a web news paper Laura, and it seems that our Nick is not getting much of a holiday in the US of A. I have not yet heard anything from the ´óÏó´«Ã½ about our Nick's adventure, although I might be wrong about this.

Maybe it is time that people like Bush need to be asked questions in a lateral way, rather then retrospective questions.

I am sure though that Nick can take this as a comment from a country that, although I have much respect for, they are also the place where they produce cowboys as presidents!

Give Nick our regards when you speak to him Laura.

Maybe Mr Brown is staying in the country just in case Harriet Harman takes over.

It just goes to show that no matter what he does, he'll never win with some people.

The Tao suggests 1/3 will agree, 1/3 will disagree, and 1/3 will act like sheep. It's a broad brushstroke but I've seen it contains some truth. It seems to be the price for living and breathing in this world whether you're dishing out or on the receiving end of a decision. Humbleness and consideration helps but being a punchbag or doormat has its problems.

There are so many things that really matter in life no matter what your political colours are, and the choice of holiday destination isn't one.

Does Prime Minister Brown holidaying in Cape Cod after the summit or Dorset matter? Yes, no, maybe? A summit in America and foot and mouth at home suggests it could matter. Just look at the terrible trouble Vladimir Put got into over the Kursk. You're right. It doesn't matter but, also, it does matter. Good decision or blind luck? Maybe a bit of both.

So far, the Prime Minister looks quite skilful.

This will probably be the first year for a long time I won't leave the country, an I'll be taking my holidays in the UK. It just happened to work out that way. Thankfully I'm not a politician or public figure, so nobody cares and I don't have to justify my decision to anyone or be accused of having some agenda.

I've always thought that politicians' private lives should only be our concern when they tell us how to live ours and do the exact opposite. (John Major's Back To Basics government being a case in point.) If the PM tells us all to holiday in the UK then jets off overseas every spare minute he gets then we should give him a hard time. Otherwise it just sounds like whining for the sake of it, and lessens the impact when we dissent over the important stuff.

You know most of you folk know nothing about what you are spouting about.

You attempt to make political points at every opportunity, this says nothing for you arguments whether they are right or wrong.

Laura.. get a life, go out hug a tree or something.

Dammit, 90% of this country know nothing about farming about the countryside or anything apart from their job and city/town living.

Daily I see walkers on country roads who seem to be offended when my NEEDED 4x4 meets them. Hell I work in the countryside... do they??

Before complaining about those who dwell and work in the countryside ( and REALISE that means farmers too) and before stimulating or starting political arguements against whatever government is in.......... FIRST learn about the countryside, first learn about how OUR farming communities survive... FIRST learn about how you are damned well fed. Meat and veg does not simply appear on the supermarket stalls by magic.

Townies... talk about what you know, or shut up.

Nah.. apologies to Laura... I should get a life too........ blogs, bbs and such, are not the way to live our lives. I was here on the internet before so called 'blogs' saw the light of day. In the past there were bbs.. ie... message boards.. blogs are no more than personal message boards.

Over the years I now realise I have spent too much, far too much time speaking with folk by text instead of getting out and making My viewpoints in the flesh. Time you folk did too :)

Anyway... My apologies are offered Laura.

Rohelendus

Rohelendus, guess it is fine to let off steam, but your 4 x 4 antagonists on the road are prob better targets than bloggers.

You don't make clear exactly whom you target with your claims that remarks are ignorant; I used to work on a farm, but I think I learned more of relevance to a political blog from reading.

I am afraid that this is bound to be partly a forum for party political propaganda, especially as the ´óÏó´«Ã½ is increasingly seen as biased on so many issues in one way or another.

Who cares where the expediently "patriotic" Brown spends his holidays?
He's still carrying on in the same vein as his predecessor, lies on the EU referendum, for one, and yet more spin and insincerity.

"Carry on Gordon" whilst the country continues into meltdown.