Gordon Brown the man

Published: 27/06/2007

Gordon and me
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown
For most of the electorate our new PM is a shadow boxer, an unknown figure looming in the background, a little sinister. They will be eager to know the real Mr Brown. They will see he is ambitious, tough, expedient and scheming. Yet he is also extraordinarily attractive and tantalizing when you meet him one-to-one. He has easy charm and Heathcliff's smouldering presence (oh those bitten fingers, how intense he must be, the angst and epic struggles he fights to contain himself) - an irresistible combination. And I speak as one who detests many new Labour policies, including some that Brown has personally taken charge of. Many insiders and political journalists who lunch and gossip around Westminster say they find him buttoned up, awkward, a little Stalinist, at times overbearing. Perhaps that tribe of probing hacks brings out the worst in him.

But with me he has always been open and graciously forgiving even when I have been particularly hard on his government in my columns. The Blairs froze out many commentators they deemed "disloyal"; Gordon instead goes on the charm offensive. Last year he made a speech at a party to mark 20 years since the Independent was set up. That newspaper has been a thorn in the side of New Labour and Blair condemns the publication as an example of the 'feral' press. But Gordon praised the paper's guts and said criticism was essential in a free society. He flattered us so well.

In 2000 I left the Labour Party over punitive laws to deny asylum seekers basic sustenance. Ever since, whenever I meet Gordon Brown, he opens the door with a broad smile and beckons: "We share the same surname, so we must get you back in." He discusses my columns, applying his considerable intellect, always asks what book I am currently reading and recommends me effusively to my bosses if around.

His eyes don't wander to seek out more important people, never does he break off rudely. Talk to him about his children and his face softens to soppiness. Once at party conference he took me to meet young John playing noisily with his toys and I felt he really just wanted to be with the boy instead of in the hall where he was due to speak. I have known his wife Sarah professionally since she worked in PR. She too is a remarkable woman in person, with admirable dignity much needed in 10 Downing St.

Fear not. I write this not to gain favours or join the marvellously inclusive Brown team. I remain steadfastly sceptical of the new PM and his flurry of promises. Personal amity is not political endorsement. But I do really like the man.


I think Gordon Brown is extraordinarily attractive and tantalizing when you meet him one to one. He has easy charm and Heathcliff’s smouldering presence ( oh those bitten fingers, how intense he must be, the angst and epic struggles he fights to contain himself) - an irresistible combination. And I speak as one who detests many new Labour spun policies including some that Brown has personally taken charge of. Most political journalists who lunch and gossip around Westminster say they find him buttoned up, awkward, a little Stalinist, at times overbearing. Perhaps that tribe of probing hacks brings out the worst in him.

With me he has always been open and graciously forgiving even when I have been particularly hard on his government in my columns. The Blairs froze out many commentators they deemed ‘disloyal; Gordon instead goes on the charm offensive. Last year he made a speech at a party to mark twenty years since the Independent was set up. That newspaper has been a thorn in the side of New Labour and Blair condemns the publication as an example of the ‘feral’ press. Gordon praised the paper’s guts and said criticism was essential in a free society. Many of us journalists would have licked his boots that night, he flattered us so well.

In 2000 I left the Labour party over punitive laws to deny asylum seekers basic sustenance. (I was a member in my personal capacity.) Ever since, whenever I meet Gordon Brown, he opens the door with a broad smile and beckons: ‘We share the same surname, so we must get you back in’ He discusses my columns applying his considerable intellect, always asks what book I am currently reading and recommends me effusively to my bosses if around. His eyes don’t wander to seek out more important people, never does he break off rudely. Talk to him about his children and his face softens to soppiness. Once at party conference he took me to meet young John playing noisily with his toys and I felt he really just wanted to be with the boy instead of in the hall where he was due to speak. I have known his wife Sarah professionally since she worked in PR. She too is a remarkable woman in person, with admirable dignity much needed in 10 Downing St.

Fear not. I write this not to gain favours or join the marvellously inclusive Brown team. I remain steadfastly sceptical of the new PM and his flurry of promises. Personal amity is not political endorsement. But I do really like the man.

Published in Evening Standard