Gordon Brown on Tony Blair

Gordon Brown's position on Tony Blair is historically characterized by the intensely difficult and rivalrous partnership that defined much of their time leading New Labour. Brown openly admitted that he believed he should have become Prime Minister upon the party's 1997 election victory, not Blair, and that their relationship was "incredibly difficult" due to clashes and a complex succession deal that was not honoured as he understood it. This dynamic involved both shared political instincts during the party's reform and subsequent governing successes, contrasted sharply with internal battles over policy and power control.

This complex relationship evolved from what was once a close political 'kinship' into a corrosive rivalry that ultimately facilitated Blair's departure in 2007. A significant point of divergence was Brown's later regret over not more forcefully opposing the Iraq War, an issue he felt constrained from fighting due to his ongoing battles with Blair over domestic policy. Despite the public animosity and resentment, there were acknowledgements of their complementary skills that drove early New Labour success, making the overall dynamic a key cautionary tale in British political history.