London's Big Letdown

Is there a British equivalent of the phrase Monday-morning quarterbacking ? Because pundits in the U.K. are slamming their new Prime Minister for a high-profile punt. Gordon Brown, who took over from fellow Labour Party member Tony Blair in June without a vote at the polls, was widely expected to call a snap election this fall to secure a new five-year term. Party chiefs were so sure the well-received Brown would seek a fresh mandate that they had drawn up detailed campaign plans and taken on extra staff to carry them out. Donors were tapped for additional funds. Constituents mulled their options....

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