And Brown intends to continue the job he has started.

Would that be wrecking the British economy, taxing the lower 2/3s of the population into oblivion and removing the hope & pride of the British people?

WS, Manchester,

Whips & Wimps

During the 60's I fought off, are you a "Mod or a Rocker!" Off my rocker at best? There does seem a desire for us all to be followers, be it fashion or conformity.

I recall the statement of Digby saying, he would do his best to promote British Business throughout the world, and that he wasn't going to be a follower of Gordon Brown, or anyone else he didn't aspire to.

I congratulate Lord Jones of the real Joe Public to forward us.

As an unemployed person, who seeks help but doesn't get help because boxes cannot be checked or minimum limits obtained, leaves me... Well without what my tax contributions have paid for... Unwanted! My past keen brain and honesty fails the help me apply for the help even mundane work.

Chris Sargeant, Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire

Well, that shows how stupid it was to appoint Digby Jones to this sinecure. When this buffoon was head of the CBI, all he ever did was pop us saying "reduce taxes at the top end". That's it, no good reason, except some lame blather that excellent British managers (like those sterling guys who ran Northern Rock, British Airways, BAA, perhaps?) would go abroad (because you know those useless foreigners can't produce their own decent managers, eh?!). No promotion of business or industry, just tax cuts for him and his ilk.

Jones is a total waste of space and it's not surprising he's biting the hand that gave him this gift!

Sam C, Shrewsbury, England

I was watching Yes Prime Minister last night, is politics immitating comedy or is it vice versa

Digby reminds me a lot of Sir Desmond Glazebrook played by Richard Vernon alas Digby was unabel to cope with the Sir Humphreys of this world

A Pritchard, Guangzhou, China

Why wait until the next election, it may be two years away? If this is how this man feels why doesn't he go now? Perhaps he doesn't want to prematurely give up the lucrative gravy train.

Neil, Gloucestershire, England

So the crew of SS Nu Labour have finally noticed what the rest of us already know, she is going down, and fast. Its a good job the SS Conservative is close by to pick up survivors. I bet no one has told Captain Gordon whats going on as he hurriedly rearranges the deck chairs. I wonder who will survive? the suspense is kiling me. I love stories with a sad ending.

Cromwell, Leeds, Endland

Being the Minister for Trade when there is a £40bn or so trade deficit must be very embarrassing especially given it's probably going to get even worse.

DickW, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

J Brown, Leipzig. None of the Lords are elected, they are all appointed, despite all the talk of reform of the upper chamber.

David Leslie, Perth, Scotland

Given his embarassing performance at a lunch with Arab diplomats last month Brown may well be delighted that he has taken this stance. Were it not for the unusual, and frankly undemocratic, nature of his appointment that performance would have had him in line for the sack. Brilliant businessman he maybe but he seems to lack certain basic requirements at ministerial level. He is a fish out of water and probably realises this himself.
Who leaves the sinking ship first?

cj, nottinghamshire,

The Political Game that we have been allowed to play these past few hundred years is in need of a massive change. Trust is lost in every institution through a lack of respect being shown to the Slaves. We don't believe you any more as we have been lied to Once to often. The Game is a foot and we need change. If we aren't given one, or one that looks as if it will deliver on securing our Happiness then I fear the worst.
Don't be to smug in your institutions as history has shown us that things can change quickly. Let us have a real debate about what can be done to deliver all of our goals.

Mark, Gateshead, UK

Apart from climbing the greasy pole very successfully and getting first a knighthood and then a peerage, what has 'Lord' Digby Jones contributed to British industry?

MikeS, York,

Gordon needs to get a grip, and get a grip fast. He can start by asking Digby Jones to stand down now.

Frank Greaney, Liverpool,

Instead of waiting for Digby Jones to 'Jump-Ship', maybe Gordon Brown should make him walk the plank, and before it is too late?
Jones' most notable achievements after being made head of the new BERR and given a Lordship 29th June 2007 have been to help Tata-India acquire Land-Rover and Jaguar Cars.
...and thus annihilating yet another swath of British industry.
Very soon there wont be anything left of UK manufacturing & exporting industry.
No wonder the Government have an ever worsening chronic Money crisis now to contend with

Michael I. Blatchford, Bristol, UK

Lord Jones in my opinion won't support Gordon Brown because he like many business people realise that Labour and the current Government have damaged the UK economy and British business so much during the last 10 years of incompetence.

Andy Moore, Solihull, West Midlands

It's the loyalty that gets you every time!

leila , manchester, uk

The rats are starting to desert the sinking ship...Could the unelected Brown be the shortest ever Labour premiers on record ?
If Brown keeps up his pathetic attempt at leadership, he certainly will be.

R.M., London, England

The gap between the rich and the poor is expanding by the minute under 'New Labour', so the derogatory use of the term 'socialist' by Edwin here, is inaccurate.

Brian, Liverpool, England UK

It's a pity that these articles do not include relevant data.

How many jobs have been imported / exported during Digby-Jones' reign?
How much foreign investment has been gained / lost since he got the job?

Just how effective has he been?

R Bingham, Lauzun, France

Lord (what a country still to have Lords!) Jones was never elected. Why was he a minister in the first place?

J. Brown, Leipzig, Germany

Perhaps Brown ought to "chuck his towel in" now, while HIS pension is still intact, because there are millions of us Brits whose pensions are not, because of HIS special treatment to them. He should then, sell his house down here (and return the proceeds to the system), & go back to Scotland where he'll get free prescriptions for his nail biting.

Chris, Dorset,

Does not want to show support for Mr Brown? I should have thought that being his Trade Minister might give that impression.

Brian Gilbert, HAMPTON, Middx

I never understood what the point was of Digby-Jones at the CBI, and he has done nothing since to change my opinion.

Martin, London,

Brown ALWAYS flies the nest when difficulties arise in the UK

John, Essex, UK

With a successful 30-year business career behind him and the benefit of a single focus on trade and investment, he will continue to use his ministerial position to deliver more intensive support for UK business internationally and to bang the drum for brand Britain around the world.”

I would like to hear Lord Jones personally concord with these remarks, but I will not be holding my breath for his confirmation. I feel that he would see banging the Uk's drum as too close to banging NuLabour's . After all, Labour always confused the offices of party and government. It is one of their great failings that results from a Socialist viewpoint. It is, therefore, their reward.

I was surprised that Lord Jones was ever convinced by Labour. I think that must be naivetee showing through.

Edwin, Bucharest,