Leading article: Homespun philosophy

At the Gandhi memorial in Delhi this week, Gordon Brown announced: "I could never compare myself to Gandhi." But in true politicians' style, the Chancellor of the Exchequer then went on to do pretty much that.

In truth, it is hard to see what Mr Brown has in common with the man Winston Churchill once scornfully described as a "half-naked fakir". Gandhi was a pacifist who advocated mass civil disobedience. Gordon is a command-and-control centraliser who supported the Iraq war. Gordon loves free trade and is forever wanting to boost everyone's productivity. Gandhi opposed globalisation and wanted India to stick with its rural, cottage industry economy. Gandhi wanted to break up the British empire. Gordon is desperate to cling on to its remains.

There is only one explanation. We can only believe that Gordon had in mind their shared enthusiasm for the noble craft of spinning.