What does this picture tell you about 
the Brown’s body language? Gordon Brown is deliberately posing for the camera with a very fixed smile, while Sarah appears to be floating by his side as an uncomfortable appendage.
We were used to seeing the Blairs holding hands while they beamed for the world’s media. There is no doubt they were devoted to each other. And while it is true that not all couples are tactile, what does this picture say about the Browns? Does not Mr Brown appear to be a solitary figure? I wonder if he bends his wife’s ear during pillow talk. and if not, why not? Spouses can have a much more grounded insight into worldly and domestic affairs.
But, I wonder, where is Sarah’s left hand? Was she hoping Gordon’s right arm would slide around her back and grip her waist, that they would inch closer together as a united couple, as man and wife, and not “me, me, me” ….
What tosh! The Prime Minister is posing in a dignified way with his wife at his side. Sarah Brown has chosen not to hang on his arm and stare into his eyes like a lovesick schoolgirl. I don’t expect her to reveal how often her husband ‘manages it’ a night either, unlike the tasteless Cherie.
Mike,
It certainly would be a dignified and statesmanlike posture if Brown was on his own, but he is with his wife, and he seems to be a little distant from her, in my humble opinion.
It’s interesting to note the body languages of leaders, how they nearly all hold their spouses hands for photo calls. Why do you think that is? I think Brown started off that way when he went to Buckingham Palace, but it no longer seems to be the case. It could be something or nothing.
That’s not GB in the picture. It’s a DUMMY being operated by Sarah’s left hand.
Sarah obviously doesn’t like rocking horses – I ain’t saying nuffing further. (I’ll email you, Ellee)
It would appear to me that Sarah’s left-hand/arm is behind her back. Maybe she is shy and not very outgoing.
lol Elle, the body language tells me that Cherie Blair is besotted with Tony, and is holding onto him to make sure he doesn’t stray.
As for Gordon, he wasn’t exactly a teenager when he married – and their making a baby was obviously a more contrived exercise (operation)than spontaneous copulation or ‘love’ making
Sarah Brown does not seem a comfortable political wife, while Cherie Blair was always on the make, trying to make as much money as possible by exploiting her position.
I’ve never understood the attention give to politicians partners, “first ladies” etc.. We didn’t elect them, what have they go to do with anything? I think they should stay in the background, wheel them out only for strictly social functions (dinners etc.).
Bring back Edward Heath!
If you are in a secure relationship, I don’t see why you have to be all over each other in public. I can’t see anything wrong with the photo at all. I wonder where she got that nice jacket?
I have absolutely no idea of the context in which this photo was taken (do you?). Perhaps they were on their way somewhere and were asked to pause for a photo and kindly did so.
You say Gordon seems ‘a little distant’?! How much closer do you want them to be. Perhaps she should jump into his arms?
As I said before – utter tosh. I think you should keep your second-rate Desmond Morris theories to yourself.
Mike, the whole point about blogging is to share views, not keep them to yourself. I really don’t mind that you think what I’ve said is “tosh”. It’s up for debate, and it’s just a bit of fun.
I don’t think speculation and snide insinuation about the state of other people’s marriages is ‘just a bit of fun’. It’s the sort of thing the tabloids do all the time. I like to think bloggers could raise their sights a bit higher. Clearly, in your case, I’m wrong.
Although ‘body language’ in general is a hard(ish) science, and there is much to learn from people-watching in this way, I think that it’s definitely possible to read too much into people’s poses and positions in artificial situations like political photo ops.
And as others have noted, as long as Sarah doesn’t turn out to be a crass, corrupt haridan like Cherie (and who else is, really?) then most of us will be reasonably happy.