As I looked back over the last few weeks of newspapers, searching for something that might give you a flavour of what life is like in the UK, my eyes fell upon a piece in the Guardian newspaper by Gaby Hinsliff, which proved to me once and for all that the British Government are listening to the wrong advice. Yes, it would appear that a senior policy advisor to Downing Street, Mr David Halpern has been researching the “Science of Happiness”, or in real world terms “how to keep people happy and national productivity up!”. Mr Halpern's extensive research (which will no doubt be paid for by my taxes) has come to some startling conclusions, including, that people who are adored are happy, that the young and retired are the happiest age groups, and that people who earn the equivalent of 50,000 dollars a year are generally happier than than those who earn less than 50,000..............genius or what?!!! Surprise, surprise people who have someone who loves them, have lots of free time and lots of money, tend to be happier and live longer than a penniless, loner ..............I bet the suicide rate's lower too!!!

According to the article, people respond to acts of kindness and the closeness of others, which it suggests could lead to a “pro-happiness administration” in the UK. Imagine, taking on radical ideas like cutting public service targets for hospitals, or treating patients in our National Health Service like humans rather than cattle.......no, I cant see it happening either!!!

Some government ministers though are taking this research very seriously, and its rumoured that the Work and Pensions Secretary John Hutton will base his forthcoming crackdown on welfare cheats and swindlers on the grounds that working makes people happier and healthier. The irony of this approach is I am sure not lost on you, considering that one of the happiest groups are meant to be the retired!!!

Clearly though this new “happy” style of politics isn't permeating all of the political spectrum, and the spirit of this research sadly hasn't reached those most likely to be involved in the leadership contest for the labour party in a couple of months time.

Last week, former cabinet ministers Charles Clarke and Alan Millburn launched what is best described as a pre-emptive strike against Gordon Brown, the current Chancellor of the exchequer, who is widely tipped as the successor to Prime Minister Tony Blair when he finally slides out of office and onto the lecture circuit sometime later this year. For some, including it would appear Mr Clarke and Millburn, there is a need to open up the political discussion in the UK and to look at the future direction of the Labour Party, and to that end a very powerful group of MP's have set up the2020vision website designed to promote discussion about the future. On the face of it, harmless enough, sounds like a good plan having open discussion; well it is unless your are Gordon Brown who I would hazard a guess does not appear in the plans of the 2020vision. Clarke & Milburn's website would pose little threat if it wasn't widely supported by a number of anti Brown luminaries, financially backed by one of the best connected city figures in London and has the stamp of one of Gordon Brown's oldest rivals all over it; Peter Mandelson.

Peter Mandelson, the ex Northern Ireland Minister, known as “The Prince of darkness”, who was instrumental in helping to bring Tony Blair to the leadership of the Labour Party in 1994, thwarting the ambitions of Gordon Brown the first time around.

What's more the discussion prompted by the 2020vision website has already started to take a route that will not favour Brown, talking of “post Blair politics”; the very model of politics that Gordon Brown has helped shape as Blair's Chancellor. Yes, it would appear that finally one or 2 candidates for leader of the Labour Party might come out of the woodwork when Mr Blair announces his departure, which seems likely to be in early May after the local elections.

Whilst I am not convinced one of Clarke or Milburn's stooges have the clout to block Brown's Progress to Prime Minister, Brown may have to fight for the job that he has been in training for almost since the day he became Chancellor, along the way making some radical changes to appear as a contemporary thinker, as opposed to the rather dull Scotsman he so often comes across as.

Having said all of that, if the Metropolitan police continue to investigate Lord Levy, Tony Blair's Chief Fund-raiser with regards to the allegation that Honours such as Knighthoods were sold in return for donations to the labour party, it may be time for a wholesale change of Prime Minister and Chancellor, and for the Labour party to leave the past behind them.

One thing we can be sure of is that Gordon Brown will continue to publicly support the 2020vison group as a good idea, after all not to support them would be playing into his enemies hands and make him look like he was unprepared to help the Labour party become fit for the future; and Charles Clarke, Alan Millburn and others will continue to deny they are preparing to launch a bid for the leadership whilst tirelessly working out the best way to get one over on Gordon and make him look like yesterdays news. It can't be a happy life as a politician, can it?..................if only someone would do some research and find out what makes politicians happy perhaps the British Public would feel a little more secure knowing that the future was in the hands of happy, well adjusted people!!!

Until next time, from the bottom corner of the little island to your right, don't forget those acts of kindness.................and take care.