大象传媒

Brown said "I think we're moving from a period when celebrity matters, where people become famous for being famous," so it can only be be hair style or fashion advice he鈥檚 seeking; I hope it's hair style.

Beckham is to be asked to be ambassador for the World Cup bid in 2018.

Perhaps we are soon to see Gordon sashaying out of No.10 in a sarong and flip-flops, with his new 'back of the wardrobe man' David Beckham in close attendance?

Surely this is simply a PR stunt?

Puts them both in the news, great at a time when Brown's time has been so rocky.

Are we really taking this news item seriously?

Good for Beckham if there is something in it. Not sure it's good for Brown though really.

Maybe Becks is going to give Gordon some styling tips - we all know he needs to get out of the same old blue tie white shirt combo. I think he may update him with a new blue shirt and maybe a red tie or something daring like pink even!

Beckham should be used as a role model for the 2018 bid, he's England's best player of our generation, so it clearly makes sense.

He could help bend the rules.

Well, it lets the media have a punfest about Brown meeting with another right winger, rather than bothering about economic meltdown.

It's obvious really. He wants to ingratiate himself with what he perceives to be the footballing classes of England. Remember this is the Scottish politician who said that the greatest goal in living memory was Gazza's goal against Scotland. Guess what people think of him in his own country.

Perhaps Becks will be asked to run the MOD.

Not really, Beckham merely bends it whilst this government spins everything so far it often goes via a u-turn into an own goal.

But my own question if I may, if Becks is, as you say, Goldenballs, what is an appropriate sobriquet for Gordon Brown............? My headline suggestion " Goldenballs meets Miseraballs"

Also I caught your comment on the news last night re "changes of party leaders in 2008, none that we know of" (my abbreviation as I didn't video it to quote verbatim). Are you perhaps wondering that if GB's popularity doesn't buck up then the Labour party might start to panic at around conference time?

And of course a Happy New Year Nick, hope you enjoyed the break.

maybe he just wants some guidance on becoming popular, or wants to borrow becks 'how to make friends & influence people' book.

Both have goldenballs, but while one of them never won anything in the International field, the other one has, won three consecutive elections, all thanks to his Goldenballs, taking us up to the forefront in world prosperity!

Obvious to win future votes off people who think because Becks likes him I must vote for him... Sad

Probably the meeting is arranged to see whether Beckham is prepared to accept a knighthood or some other title. Of course he will because Mrs Egotist, his wife, wouldnt let him refuse.If it carrys on like this the "honours" system will die out and, roll on that day.

T L lEEDS

Ask Goldenballs for advice how to shake hands in a manly fashion, and use his eyes whilst doing so, to illustrate openess and conviction.

Gordon Brown's body language in 1:1 situations is not good.

With Brown's rather apparent intellectual calibre - I would doubt they would have anything in common to talk about. Did anyone see the look on Darling's face when he thought Brown was going to answer the question clearly dealing with the something in the chancellors remit - priceless.

why did Gordon Brown meet Becks ?

Obviously with all thats happend recently to demoralise the labour party with Gordon at the helm...he is trying to get some good tips from Becks on how to manipulate the Media and to get back in good favour with the public eye.
definate signs of desperation are creeping in here.

How about learn how to kick his backbenchers into touch or even upstairs.

Reminiscent of Nero "fiddling while Rome burns"? Our valiant PM is seeking tabloid column inches as is our Becks to further add to his value as a brand image. The PM whilst being Chancellor for the last 10 years is supposed to have created a stable and sound economy while Beckham, was feted as one of the worlds greatest footballers! Now we see them as they really are , the PM is about to preside over the worst year in economic terms of the Labour administration..... so where is the sound economy and Beckham helped us get dumped out of the European championships. Mmmm soul brothers?

Token right winger ?

First a commons reception for Shilpa Shetti now a meeting with underpants model David Beckham. It's not as if we are fighting a war, a major bank is facing collapse and the economy is in turmoil?

Blair could just about get away with the celeb stuff, enough D listers were falling over themselves to be associated with him (the Pete Postlewaite election ad was a particular favourite) but Brown should know better. He has portrayed himself as the safe pair of hands, the guy who gets on with running the country. He should leave all this nonsense to his culture secretary whoever that is.

Surely not.
No, it couldn't be.
I don't believe it.
But then again perhaps I do.
Yes it's obvious really.
It had to happen.
Sorry let me explain. David Beckham is a famous footballer. He is famous for two things. One thing he is famous for is his talentless celebrity wife (can anyone see where I am heading?) The other thing he is famous for is being at the centre of the England football team for many years then getting dropped. And here's the important bit... He came back when his country needed him.
...runs screaming from the room...

Obituaries were written for Becks' football career - both for England and Real Madrid. He bounced back. Perhaps the PM is going to ask for tips

Given politicians' evident difficulty with the little matter of spotting and then telling the truth, is he perhaps hoping to learn how to 'bend it like Beckham'?

Apologies if my post got in. I assumed you meant Tony Blair. Perhaps the fear clouded my eyes when I saw the word PM.

Gordon is telling Beck's what to say
and do when he gets his knighthood !!

Remember Brian Connelly and his comic routine when he say's"It's a puppet".
Well this is just about the same,though this time it's a "photo opportunity,stupid"......

I think it's charisma and public speak lessons.

They are both way past their best & desperate to get their pictures in the paper.

Tour council estates and meet with deprived people and teach them how to see they can be successful, how government policy can get behind that, and how leadership is not afraid to get down and dirty with tending the roots. Show people that respect and responsibility isn't just words but action. Give them hope and build a coalition of the willing.

One can only presume he recognises a kindred spirit who is past his best.

Nick

Yesterday you said when accused of concentrating on trivia:

"Never worry. There will be more substantial things to write about."

I'm afraid you think this is it...

No doubt it is to learn Becks's ball juggling skills as GB has been dropping too many lately.

Could it be a sign that Brown is planning to make an ill-conceived move to America?

Peter Campbell is a politics undergraduate at the University of York and Deputy Politics Editor of York student newspaper 鈥淣ouse鈥�.

One's tried and failed to be a success on both the national and international playing fields, and the other one's David Beckham......

I look forward to seeing Gordon's new tattoos...

How to turn the NHS into a political football?

Succession planning and a strategy to increase the intelligence and competence of government?

or how to move from left field to right field?

Borrow some money?

I thought that David Beckham was to be given a role in Englands bid to stage the football world cup similar to that of Seb Coe.
I feel that he is held in high esteem and be the right man for the job.

Obviously Gordon needs another "good day to bury bad news". The question is what is the disaster that Gordon wants to hide?

its a shame that a the celebraty culture in this country is the only thing that can get the masses to think about politics.

ideology is dead... pragmatism is bogged down with political correctness and ignorant, narrow minded green fanatics.....

so our prime minister is only doing what he can do.... distract the masses with the publicity stunt.....
so we can all forget whats happening to our society...... that being-
the degrading social values that seem to becoming the norm (destruction of family and rewards for anti social behaviour i.e. current benefit system), false wars in the 'name of freedom' as a disguise for modern imperialism, failing NHS, poor council administration and budgeting, and inappropiate system of tax where too much money is wasted in general!

but nevermind.. a good picture with david beckham should boost his ratings.. maybe cameron can get a picture with another working class hero? (something which he is not)... hatton perhaps?

They are going to swap jobs for a day. Gordon will model skimpy underwear while Beckham will use his intellectual prowess to take on the country's financial issues.

There are more than one reasons why Brown need golden balls;

he needs a huge dose of luck to retain the premiership, remember David got a lucky call back at the 11th hour!

he needs to score a valid point with us - a celebrity-crazy society

the Becks have made a lot of rich american friends - may be he needs them to invest here

Olympic is on the way - who can be a better mentor than the golden boy?

He needs him to walk through no 10 doors to see the difference between the old and the new suit designs in LA.

and finally, how do you transform a not very convincing, no goal scoring premiership skipper to a vote scoring form?

You need the magic touch of gold!!!

Well, Becks is liked and he's effective. Maybe Gordon could ask him about that?

David Beckham was once reviled, albeit unfairly, as a childish screw-up that ruined Englands chances. Through dedication, hardwork and inner strength he rebuilt himself as one of the most respected and charismatic players.... Enough said!

Maybe he'll ask him for some tips on effective spin?

It's a little switcheroo for the plebs in the general population really. The PM gets his picture taken with someone popular and Becks gets a chance to enquire about 'upping' his status in the next new year's honurs list.

Watch out world, here comes Sir Golden Balls, honourary Chairman of ICI.

One's a right-winger with a funny voice and a penchant for making vacuous statements to the press -- the other's David Beckham! Brown's spin doctors probably told him it was a good idea but even the glitz of Goldenballs won't put a shine on Brown's tarnished reputation.

It's an age old trick Nick. Bring in a celeb (to some)to do your bidding. When it succeeds the poor celeb gets nothing but an MBE and you get ALL the credit; but when it all goes flop bot you rubbish the messenger. Recall the Dome?

Surely it is to do with his UN ambassadorship - a geography lesson perhaps?

I hope he would use David Beckham's popularity to front a campaign promoting reading. Specifically a campaign to get fathers reading to their children would do a lot to improve boys' literacy!

Frankly, I don't think anyone cares what this Prime Minister thinks - he's just not up to the job. Ah - maybe that's a clue. Perhaps Posh will soon be choosing the carpets and curtains at no 10 while Gord shuffles back to Scotland.

Its so hard to find a really good tattooist in London these days -I know that Gordon would like Mr "over-hyped" to suggest one.

Either that or posh's hubby is looking for some football tips?

What do they have in common ?

They're both on borrowed time.

Becks is quite effective on the RIGHT, not known for any leanings to play on the left side at all.