Menu
12/02/2010
Brown Discusses Blair Rift
Gordon Brown has revealed how he struck a deal with Tony Blair over his eventual succession to the Labour leadership.
The ambitious pair agreed in 1994 that Mr Blair would have a clear run until he stood down and was replaced by Mr Brown.
However, talking to chat show host Piers Morgan, the Prime Minister said the deal was not done in Granita restaurant, as many believe.
During the interview, Mr Brown spoke very openly for the first time about the death of his ten day old baby daughter Jennifer Jane in 2002.
The Scots man entered the office of Prime Minister in June 2007, following Mr Blair's decision to step aside.
Mr Brown dispelled the widely regarded tale that both men settled the arrangement in Granita many years previous.
"I'd already agreed with Tony before that dinner that he would stand for the leadership and I would stay on as the shadow chancellor, as the person in charge of economic policy," he said.
"And there's an understanding that at some point Tony would stand down and he would support me if, when, that was the case. And that's where we left it."
When Opposition leader John Smith passed away in 1994, Mr Brown was Labour's Shadow Chancellor and Mr Blair worked as Shadow Home Secretary.
Many had tipped Mr Brown to secure the party leadership, including the man himself.
"I thought that would be possible and the first person I phoned when I heard John had died was Tony," the Prime Minister said.
"I believed I could do the job, I believed that I'd got the experience and built up the experience to do it."
Eventually Mr Blair took to the helm and won the 1997 General Election.
Mr Brown said his time in government with Mr Blair was not with out friction. He described working together as "incredibly difficult, even if you are friends".
In a programme to be broadcast on Sunday evening on ITV, Mr Brown talked about the death of his infant daughter as she lay in his arms. The child had suffered a brain hemorrhage.
"Nobody actually really told us for a week, it just gradually dawned on us that, that something was going wrong and she wasn't getting bigger, she wasn't growing and, no matter what treatment that was being given to her, she wasn't able to respond to it.
"And I could hold her hand and I could feel that she knew I was there and there was nothing that you could see that was actually wrong, but she just wasn't growing.
"And then probably after a week Sarah and I... she was in the special care. I turned to the doctor and I said: 'She's not going to live, is she?'
"And he said: 'No, I don't think so. She's not going to live'."
Mr Brown has previously declined to discuss the very personal matter in public.
(PR/BMcc)
The ambitious pair agreed in 1994 that Mr Blair would have a clear run until he stood down and was replaced by Mr Brown.
However, talking to chat show host Piers Morgan, the Prime Minister said the deal was not done in Granita restaurant, as many believe.
During the interview, Mr Brown spoke very openly for the first time about the death of his ten day old baby daughter Jennifer Jane in 2002.
The Scots man entered the office of Prime Minister in June 2007, following Mr Blair's decision to step aside.
Mr Brown dispelled the widely regarded tale that both men settled the arrangement in Granita many years previous.
"I'd already agreed with Tony before that dinner that he would stand for the leadership and I would stay on as the shadow chancellor, as the person in charge of economic policy," he said.
"And there's an understanding that at some point Tony would stand down and he would support me if, when, that was the case. And that's where we left it."
When Opposition leader John Smith passed away in 1994, Mr Brown was Labour's Shadow Chancellor and Mr Blair worked as Shadow Home Secretary.
Many had tipped Mr Brown to secure the party leadership, including the man himself.
"I thought that would be possible and the first person I phoned when I heard John had died was Tony," the Prime Minister said.
"I believed I could do the job, I believed that I'd got the experience and built up the experience to do it."
Eventually Mr Blair took to the helm and won the 1997 General Election.
Mr Brown said his time in government with Mr Blair was not with out friction. He described working together as "incredibly difficult, even if you are friends".
In a programme to be broadcast on Sunday evening on ITV, Mr Brown talked about the death of his infant daughter as she lay in his arms. The child had suffered a brain hemorrhage.
"Nobody actually really told us for a week, it just gradually dawned on us that, that something was going wrong and she wasn't getting bigger, she wasn't growing and, no matter what treatment that was being given to her, she wasn't able to respond to it.
"And I could hold her hand and I could feel that she knew I was there and there was nothing that you could see that was actually wrong, but she just wasn't growing.
"And then probably after a week Sarah and I... she was in the special care. I turned to the doctor and I said: 'She's not going to live, is she?'
"And he said: 'No, I don't think so. She's not going to live'."
Mr Brown has previously declined to discuss the very personal matter in public.
(PR/BMcc)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 May 2003
Short calls on Blair to stand down
The former International Development secretary Clare Short has called on Prime Minister Tony Blair to stand down as she launched another broadside against Number 10.
Short calls on Blair to stand down
The former International Development secretary Clare Short has called on Prime Minister Tony Blair to stand down as she launched another broadside against Number 10.
20 July 2007
Blair 'pleased' by honours inquiry ruling
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has said that he is "very pleased" by the news that the cash-for-honours inquiry has ended with no charges being brought.
Blair 'pleased' by honours inquiry ruling
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has said that he is "very pleased" by the news that the cash-for-honours inquiry has ended with no charges being brought.
17 May 2007
Brown 'humbled' by Labour support
Chancellor Gordon Brown has said that he was "truly humbled" by the support he received from the Labour party, after he secured enough nominations to become party leader without a leadership contest.
Brown 'humbled' by Labour support
Chancellor Gordon Brown has said that he was "truly humbled" by the support he received from the Labour party, after he secured enough nominations to become party leader without a leadership contest.
24 October 2005
Blair unveils 'pivotal' education reforms
Prime Minister Tony Blair has unveiled plans to reform Britain’s state schools, describing it as a “pivotal moment” for his government. Speaking ahead of the publication of an Education White Paper tomorrow, Mr Blair said that he wanted to offer “more power and choice for parents”, by freeing schools from the control of local authorities.
Blair unveils 'pivotal' education reforms
Prime Minister Tony Blair has unveiled plans to reform Britain’s state schools, describing it as a “pivotal moment” for his government. Speaking ahead of the publication of an Education White Paper tomorrow, Mr Blair said that he wanted to offer “more power and choice for parents”, by freeing schools from the control of local authorities.
12 May 2008
Can Queen's Speech 'Save' Brown
Gordon Brown is expected to use this week's Queen's Speech programme to try to reclaim the political initiative after last week's disastrous showing for Labour in the local council elections. He is setting out his draft for the autumn with promises of new measures on schools and health.
Can Queen's Speech 'Save' Brown
Gordon Brown is expected to use this week's Queen's Speech programme to try to reclaim the political initiative after last week's disastrous showing for Labour in the local council elections. He is setting out his draft for the autumn with promises of new measures on schools and health.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
