Review of Gordon Brown - power with purpose

Gordon Brown - power with purpose by James MacIntyre Published by Bloomsbury, £25 James MacIntyre presents a comprehensive and complimentary assessment of the life and works of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown. MacIntyre visits all of the usual landmarks of Brown's life. The son of a Church of Scotland minister, emerging from the industrially run down area of Fife in Scotland. The new Labour reforming agenda shaped by himself and Tony Blair. The subsequent combustible relationship between the two men. A close relationship at the start, that drifted further and further apart in government, as Brown seemed to increasingly think he could not trust Blair. The question of the leadership always rankled. Brown believing the deal to be that when he stood aside in 1994, for Blair to become leader, the latter would do likewise 10 years later in 2004. The two men seem cordial today. Though, there is a great difference in their legacies. Brown has given much time, since quitting government, to charitable works, campaigning to eradicate child poverty and taking on the Murdoch press. Whilst Blair seems to have focused on making money, from what have often not appeared very reputable sources. This is a very favourable account of Brown, much direct quote from the man himself. No mention of things like the control freak tendencies that made sure he swept up enough MP nominations in 2007 to ensure that John McDonnell could not stand against him in a leadership contest. That said, Brown's achievements are substantial: almost halving child poverty, reducing pensioner poverty and redistribution of wealth (MacIntyre believes Brown the most redistributive Chancellor since 1945). Then, there were his 'save the world' actions during the financial crisis of 2007/8, cancellation of debt for poorer nations and later efforts to attain a no vote on Scottish independence. There are some interesting insights, such as that among Brown's close friends are Piers Morgan and Rowan Williams. Intriguingly, former Daily Mail editor, Paul Dacre, is also a close confidente On the Iraq war, MacIntyre reveals Brown as opposed but not coming forward at the time. Indeed, he suggests that had Brown joined Robin Cook and Claire Short in resigning, Britain would probably not have gone to war. So yes this is a comprehensive and very favourable account of Gordon Brown and his legacy. Something that has gained weight over the subsequent years. During 13 years of Labour Government,(1997-2010), there was 1.42% GDP growth (best in the industrialised world), a 3 million rise in employment, creation of Sure Start, the minimum wage and large amounts invested in public services like the NHS. Since then, there has been austerity, a botched Brexit and COVID - all of which has made the country poorer and the poorest worse off still as the shift of wealth to the rich has increased grotesquely. No one would say the years overseen by Brown and Blair were perfect but they look increasingly impressive, given what followed - right up to the present Labour government. So a good read, that provides a decent perspective, if overly generous in places.