Brown's plan to resign

"Brown's plan to resign" was the headline I saw on Telegraph news web fromt page, wow, how exciting, when? Will my bet on Jack Straw for next PM come in soon? The actual story is less immediately sensational but actually revealing one that:

"Gordon Brown has told close allies that the next general election will be his last as Labour leader."

I would say that once Labour has been trounced in the 2009/2010 election Gordon Brown will, as they say, be "toast". Someone else will have to lead the rump of remaining Labour MPs.

As I read the rest of the article I had to check that it wasn't April Fools Day:

"The Prime Minister has pledged that he will step down at "some point" during the next parliament should he beat the Conservatives in two years.

Mr Brown has let a few senior Cabinet colleagues know that he intends to quit in time to allow his successor at least a year to fight the election after next, a move designed to stop speculation about his leadership.

If he pulls off a remarkable comeback and wins in 2010 he will quit well before the country goes to the polls. However, by setting out a timetable for his future departure Mr Brown may find that some question whether he should leave sooner. "

This is one of the most blatant example of not learning from previous mistakes that I have ever seen. Tony Blair made a very similar promise before the last general election and his power started draining away almost immediately. In the end Tony Blair had to break his promise not serve a "full term" and left within two years. Gordon Brown has promised to serve less than four years as a way of stopping leadership speculation. Is he even more stupid than I thought? This statement will have the leadership speculation increasing in intensity sooner rather than later.