As much as I could be crucified here for saying this the current situation could be good for some. Counting on a disaster which will impact the housing market considerably so can take advantage. Did the same last time although did not have as much to invest at the time as I would have liked.
Andy777 you hit the nail on the head, as much as Brown was the money man for all those years Blair must have seen what was coming and jumped ship at the right time leaving Brown up to his next in the Brown Stuff.