The opposition leader spoke against the chancellors' proposals and made mincemeat of them.
She is a dutiful congregant in the church of Europe, not a prophet like earlier chancellors, such as Helmut Kohl.
British workers were admirably reluctant to strike; British chancellors tiresomely wont to lecture finance ministers in mainland Europe about their superior policies.
What worries Steve Smith, head of universities UK, which represents vice-chancellors, is that the Lib Dems might block the reforms, leaving universities with a huge shortfall.
While Brown delights in having seen off six shadow chancellors, as leader he would have finally met his match in Clarke.
Universities UK, the vice-chancellors' lobbying group, says tens of thousands of would-be students could be left without places this autumn, despite having the grades to qualify.
"Spring and Autumn of Hu-Shih" listed specific methods of practicing "Ren" and how to be good chancellors according to current politics, so it had the distinct stamp of the age.
