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I'm an older Heathcliff, says PM I'm an older Heathcliff, says PM
(about 2 hours later)
Gordon Brown has said it is "absolutely correct" to compare him to Heathcliff - the brooding, romantic anti-hero of Emily Bronte's novel Wuthering Heights.Gordon Brown has said it is "absolutely correct" to compare him to Heathcliff - the brooding, romantic anti-hero of Emily Bronte's novel Wuthering Heights.
In a New Statesman interview the PM was told: "Some women say you remind them of Heathcliff." He replied: "Maybe an older Heathcliff, a wiser Heathcliff." In a New Statesman interview the prime minister was told: "Some women say you remind them of Heathcliff."
He also said that - unlike Heathcliff - he did not "generally" lose his temper. But Bronte expert Ann Dinsdale said the violent character, who may have been a killer, was "not an ideal role model". He replied: "Maybe an older Heathcliff, a wiser Heathcliff."
He said unlike Heathcliff, he did not "generally" lose his temper. But Bronte expert Ann Dinsdale said the character was actually "not an ideal role-model".
Lover's remainsLover's remains
In Wuthering Heights, published in 1847, Heathcliff is an embittered figure who treats most others with cruelty and contempt. In Wuthering Heights, published in 1847, Heathcliff is an embittered, violent figure who treats most others with cruelty and contempt and who may have been a killer.
Moor the merrier: Sir Cliff played Heathcliff in the 1990s Moor the merrier: Sir Cliff played Heathcliff in the 1990sMs Dinsdale, collections manager of the Bronte Parsonage Museum at Haworth, West Yorkshire, told the BBC: "The thing about Heathcliff is he turned to domestic abuse, possibly committed murder and certainly dug up the remains of his dead lover.
Ms Dinsdale, collections manager of the Bronte Parsonage Museum at Haworth, West Yorkshire, told the BBC: "The thing about Heathcliff is he turned to domestic abuse, possibly committed murder and certainly dug up the remains of his dead lover.
"Is this the role model we want for our own prime minister?"Is this the role model we want for our own prime minister?
"There's this romanticised gloss that's come from film versions of Heathcliff. When you look at the books he's not an ideal role model.""There's this romanticised gloss that's come from film versions of Heathcliff. When you look at the books he's not an ideal role model."
Elsewhere in the interview Mr Brown laughed off suggestions he had a bad temper saying: "When you've got difficult decisions to make you've got to be calm and considered. I don't generally lose my temper." Elsewhere in the interview Mr Brown laughed off suggestions he had a bad temper saying: "When you've got difficult decisions to make, you've got to be calm and considered. I don't generally lose my temper."
Stage musicalStage musical
Heathcliff is a character who has continued to fascinate in the 161 years since Wuthering Heights first hit the shelves. Heathcliff is a character who has continued to fascinate in the 161 years since Wuthering Heights first went on sale.
Laurence Olivier and several other leading actors have played him on screen.Laurence Olivier and several other leading actors have played him on screen.
And, during the 1990s, Sir Cliff Richard - a friend of Mr Brown's predecessor Tony Blair - played him in a stage musical.And, during the 1990s, Sir Cliff Richard - a friend of Mr Brown's predecessor Tony Blair - played him in a stage musical.
British director John Maybury is reportedly planning to make a new film version of Wuthering Heights.British director John Maybury is reportedly planning to make a new film version of Wuthering Heights.
Mr Brown did not have to wait long to hear reference to Heathcliff in the House of Commons.Mr Brown did not have to wait long to hear reference to Heathcliff in the House of Commons.
Shadow chancellor George Osborne called for an early U-turn on car tax plans, adding that it was time for "Heathcliff to come down from dithering heights". Shadow Chancellor George Osborne called for an early U-turn on car tax plans, adding that it was time for "Heathcliff to come down from dithering heights".
Conservative leader David Cameron, responding to Mr Brown's statement on the G8 summit, said: "I am sure I speak for the whole country when I say I am pleased to see Heathcliff come home."
And Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg also got in on the act, urging Mr Brown not to allow the G8 as an institution to "die a death like Heathcliff, a man ranting and raving about a world he could no longer understand or change".