Brown and Blair together again

Labour MPs are already saying 'Bring Back Blair' and today the contrast between Blair and Brown will be underlined when the two share a platform together for the first time.

Both men are booked to appear at a business summit for Palestine investment at a London hotel at 5pm. The timing could not be worse for Brown who is facing a beating in the local elections tonight.

Even Brown's friends are wishing that he would loosen up and find a speech-writer who can crack a few jokes in adversity. But Brown's approach is more like a punch-drunk boxer getting his head down and taking the shots.

His speech to the Institute of Directors was, by all accounts, a torrent of words that had the suits in the audience shuffling their feet. Actor Kevin Spacey who followed had them eating out of his hand.

Labour MPs are furious that while Brown was wooing the business leaders with the prospect of a further cut in corporation tax, he is increasing the tax on those on low incomes by abolishing the 10p tax band.

Brown is promising to listen but some of his very senior allies say he will not change his policy on the 10p tax in spite of the expected defeats in the polls. "Gordon is in denial," said a former member of his Cabinet. "It's very worrying."

THE MOLE: PM UNDER SIEGE

FIRST POSTED MAY 1, 2008