For parties of the left, finance spokesperson is a critical job. That’s because left-wing parties are perceived as sympathetic and caring, but not strong or competent. The finance portfolio is seen as their weak point. To get into power, left wing parties try to project competence and seriousness. And having the right personality in the finance job can help with that. A stolid, serious, Gordon Brown-like character in the finance job gives a left-wing party cover to pursue its agenda.  (Conversely, right-wing parties try to project sensitivity and warmth. This might also explain why so many European women leaders come from…

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