Papers examine Brown performance

Version 0 of 1.

The prime minister's handling of the ongoing global financial situation is covered in several papers.

"Game On" is the headline on the front page of the Independent On Sunday.

It reports that Mr Brown's bold handling of the banking crisis has slashed the Conservatives' strong lead in the polls.

The paper's own figures suggest the Tories are only nine points ahead of Labour. But it asks if Mr Brown's resurgence can last as recession looms.

Gordon "the Superman" Brown also gets a mention by Martin Ivens, writing in the Sunday Times.

Narrow escape

He urges the Tories to hold their nerve amid paranoia that the prime minister is poised to call a snap election.

Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, The Spectator's editor Matthew D'Ancona, says May 2010 is still the most likely election date.

The Sunday Express reports that any recession is likely to be "short and shallow" and is likely to last a year.

The Telegraph also sees the bright side of the current financial crisis.

It reports that some of us are learning to love austerity, with sales of sewing machines, thermals and hot water bottles going "through the roof".

Meanwhile, one of the Telegraph's foreign correspondents describes how he narrowly escaped death when he came under attack in Afghanistan.

Nick Meo was travelling with US forces and Afghan police when his vehicle struck a roadside bomb.

Charity windfall

The Times reports that the deputy chairman of the conservative party, Lord Ashcroft, is to leave most of his fortune to charity.

The estimated Â£900m could, says the paper, be the biggest charitable bequest made in Britain.

The People claims that Bruce Forsyth is to quit the celebrity talent show Strictly Come Dancing.

It says the presenter, aged 80, has been stung by jibes that he is "doddery" and wants to bow out on top.