No clean start for Brown in 2008

The only surprise about the first resignation from Gordon Brown's cabinet was that it took so long. Peter Hain failed to disclose donations to his deputy leadership campaign worth more than 100,000 pounds and for weeks had refused mounting calls to step down.

Cabinet resignations are nothing new in British politics. Tony Blair insisted on his fair share (especially home secretaries). Blair was quick, or at least quicker, to act than Brown; his political antenna was far more attuned.

That is the problem for Brown. He built his reputation as a strong-willed, determined, even prudent, chancellor. But as prime minister, after an initial honeymoon, he seems hesitant.

The time it took for Hain to resign has not lessened his reputation for indecisiveness. Brown must have been hoping for a clean start after a disastrous last three months in 2007. He will have to wait at least a little longer but time is against him.