ADDING GREASE TO THE POLE:

Brown and Prescott agreed Blair succession at Loch Fyne (James Cusick, 16 May 2004, Sunday Herald)

John Prescott and Gordon Brown had a lengthy private discussion at the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar last Sunday to discuss the Labour party succession and how to minimise a damaging leadership contest when Tony Blair leaves Downing Street.

The deputy Prime Minister and the Chancellor met in private for an hour and half last Sunday at around 5pm in the back of a “ministerial” black Jaguar in the parking area of the restaurant in Argyll. Bodyguards were in evidence round the car park.

The discussion was broken only once when Brown got out of the car to make a call on his mobile phone.

According to sources close to Prescott, the two men discussed the potential of a “peaceful succession” and how Prescott could use his influence to help organise a leadership contest that would unite and not divide the Labour Party.

Both men were in Scotland for a special memorial service on Iona marking 10 years since the death of the former Labour leader John Smith.

The meeting is said to have been pre-arranged in London amid growing concern inside the Cabinet that Tony Blair was losing control of the government over Iraq and that senior ministers were beginning to manoeuvre themselves for a possible leadership contest before the next general election.

The Conservatives have never recovered from dumping Margaret Thatcher for being anti-Europe. Labour isn't likely to do themselves any favors dumping Blair for being too pro-American.

Posted by Orrin Judd at May 16, 2004 7:57 AM