What is Gordon Brown writing?

Plus a remarkable photo of a relieved former PM saying goodbye to his allies.

By James Macintyre Published 20 June 2010 18:28

Poor Gordon Brown. Even after two years of one of the most abused premierships in modern times, he continues to face fetishised ragings in the press about his whereabouts, state of mind, and so on.

In fact, by all accounts, Brown has merely been resting in Scotland and will be returning to the Commons at some point soon. But as this profile reveals, he has also been writing intensely. About what, no one knows. My guess is that he is making notes for a book, setting down memories of his time as chancellor and prime minister. But that won't come out until after those of Tony Blair and Peter Mandelson later this year. Instead, Brown is probably focusing on a new career in academia and charity.

While reading up on Brown's latest moves, I came across this characteristically sharp blog post by Michael White. What is at least as interesting on this occasion, though, is the photo above it. Forgive me if I have missed wide coverage of the picture, but it is certainly eye-catching, so I suggest you open it by clicking the link.

It shows an apparently genuinely relieved Brown embracing -- while shaking the hand of -- an unidentifiable aide, beside another aide who looks a bit like, but surely can't be, the editor of the Spectator, Fraser Nelson.

More importantly, in the background you can see Peter Mandelson, godfather to New Labour, looking on proudly, and Alastair Campbell, who, if anything, looks even more emotional than Mandelson. Ed Balls appears to be -- though I may be wrong -- consulting his BlackBerry, as is his wont. Somehow, the picture speaks a thousand words about the significance of that day, 11 May, which marked the end of New Labour.

UPDATE: Apologies to those who tried to click the link, which is now back up.

Tags: Gordon Brown

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16 comments

Mon, 2010-06-21 12:53 — clem the gem (not verified)

jeremiah, please, do not stoop to AAHs level - personal insults like that last one devalue what we have to say.

Gordon Brown has already come out of this with more dignity in his little finger than most of his detractors have in their whole bodies. I disagree with most of what New Labour did, but you cannot fault a man who seems to have the idea of public service hardwired into his psyche.
Labour do not always leave the country in a mess - and for the last 110 years have only been in power for 31 years. Labour governments gave us the NHS, implemented the 1944 education act, The Open University, laid the infrastructure for the oil boom of the early 1980s, which the Tories frittered away, devolution for Scotland and Wales, The Peace Process in Ulster, Health and Safety Legislation, Arbitration courts for industrial disputes, gender and sexual equality legislastion...
Should I go on?

Tue, 2010-06-22 16:23 — ROBERT TAGGART (not verified)

What is GB writing ?... only an apology will suffice !

Sun, 2010-06-20 19:42 — KC (not verified)

Pls do give the great man a break and peace.

Sun, 2010-06-20 19:49 — Nick9

Here here, well said KC! Gordon Brown has walked away from this with dignity, in years to come people will see that he was the one who was right about the economy. His expertise is way above that of Cameron, Clegg and Osborne!

Sun, 2010-06-20 20:07 — hmmm (not verified)

Oi Macintyre fix your link

Sun, 2010-06-20 21:54 — Freeman2

So we're paying him £60,000 a year to sit at home 'writing' and watching the World Cup while he decides what he wants to do next? Parasite.

Sun, 2010-06-20 22:45 — jeremiah

Brown is by profession a writer and journalist. I hope his literary efforts are better than his Premiership.

Brown lost. He resigned. He is now simply an opposition backbecher. I wonder what the other 200+ people in his position are doing.

Not being tracked by the press, thats for sure!

Sun, 2010-06-20 22:50 — jeremiah

PS. Churchill didn't show up in the Commons between 1945-1947. That was when he was Leader of the Opposition. He left Eden to act in his place.

He spent his time painting, writing and travelling. He was such a parasite, eh Freeman?!

Sun, 2010-06-20 23:00 — Graeme (not verified)

In response to the reply above, anyone recently PM will of course continue to be of interest to the public.

Mon, 2010-06-21 00:11 — Nick9

You ignorant fool Abdul, Gordon Brown studied a Phd at Edinburgh University and he was, lest you forget the longest serving chancellor of modern times. Get your facts straight idiot! And it's precisely Cameron, Clegg and Osborne's wealthy spoilt upbringing that makes them wholly unsuited to the task of running a country that has a commitment to look after those in need of welfare support. I'd have thought that would have struck a chord with Cameron given the tragic loss of his son and the fact is father was profoundly disabled. That why he's letting Clegg do all the dirty work; for Cameron is troubled by his conscience.

Note you didn't get back to me when I knocked your far fetched fiction to smithereens on Salisbury AAH?

Mon, 2010-06-21 02:08 — Nick9

Freeman - I note you don't say much about the players on the field being paid millions to play matches not worthy of being watched!

And not too much of a mention of the BP boss out on jolly jaunt in a yacht race whilst oil spews into the sea and America looks to us for payment of a rather large bill?