Purple reign: Brown takes it in the neck as he ditches 'panic' red for colour of calm

AS STOCK markets swing wildly,

the message from Downing Street has been clear: to exude calmness, go purple. Brown has appeared 12 times in the last 14 days in public – every time wearing a purple tie. More usually seen in socialist red ties, Gordon Brown has perhaps understandably ditched the universal colour of panic in the last fortnight for a softer violet.

Downing Street sources were tight-lipped about the Prime Minister's attire last night, insisting that Brown does not believe in lucky neckwear (unlike Tony Blair, who wore his striped British Olympic tie to bring good fortune).

But fashion experts say Brown's choice of tie is telling, pointing out how the colour has a calming effect on people, perfect for the economic climate.

More politically minded observers might also note that purple is made from blue and red, the colours of Tory and Labour. So Brown's tie is an attempt to appear above politics.