Coffee House Shots Starmer, Mandelson & HMT: why Gordon Brown has never been more relevant
Feb 14, 2026
James Macintyre, author and political journalist, discusses his unauthorised Gordon Brown biography. He traces Brown’s fraught ties with Peter Mandelson and why Brown brought him back in 2008. He reflects on Brown’s influence today, his view of Keir Starmer’s troubles, and the crises that shaped Brown’s premiership.
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The Mysterious Rift With Robin Cook
- Brown and Robin Cook began allied in Scotland but later fell out for reasons that remain unclear.
- James Macintyre and former aides couldn't definitively pinpoint the cause of their split despite investigations.
Blair's Tone Has Softened Over Time
- Tony Blair now speaks more graciously about Gordon Brown than he did in his memoirs.
- Time and perspective have softened Blair's public appraisal of Brown's contribution to New Labour.
Brown's View On Starmer's Troubles
- Gordon Brown views recent Labour controversies like the 'freebie' scandal as alien and disappointing.
- He thinks Keir Starmer's circle is too influenced by lobbyists but believes Starmer should be given space to implement anti-corruption reforms.
