Should Brown be in Iraq?

Gordon Brown has turned up in Iraq today on a surprise visit to our troops in Basra.

But should he be there?

As Chancellor of the Exchequer there’s no reason within his brief to visit the country. Obviously it’s the job of the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary. Ok, so Brown has pledged £100m to help rebuild the Iraq Economy but that doesn’t require a visit to the country to do it.

But Brown isn’t there because he’s the Chancellor. He’s there because he is doing all he can to broaden his appeal out of the confines of his Treasury role to help his leadership bid.

So should the tax payer be paying for Brown’s leadership bid of the Labour Party. I think not!