Chancellor Reveals ‘Mentor’ Gordon Brown’s Rather Unique Style Of Communicating

Gordon Brown has a very unique way of communicating his thoughts with the new Labour chancellor, according to a new interview.

Brown – Tony Blair’s chancellor and later the prime minister who steered the country through the financial crisis of 2008 – is known for having strong opinions on the way the country should be governed.

And, Speaking to The Sunday Times, the new chancellor John Healey did indeed reveal that the former PM had been in touch.

The cabinet minister said: “I’ve talked to him.

“I’ve had his block cap emails in the middle of the night. But the man is driven and an inspiration to those that he works with.”

Brown was appointed as Special Reviewer on Global Finance and Cooperation under Keir Starmer and has been kept on under Andy Burnham, meaning he continues to be an influential voice for government.

Healey also has a prior working relationship with Brown, having spent five years working as a minister in his Treasury.

He told The Sunday Times he sees Brown as an “inspiration, a mentor”.

He added: “He captured for me the best of a Labour chancellor.”

Healey welcomed the idea of balancing an appreciation that “private investment creates jobs” with a belief the government can help in “partnership” with business.

His praise comes after Opinium polling revealed last week that 56% of Labour supporters think the current government is doing about as well (26%) or better (30%) at running the country than New Labour did.

However, 31% say it is doing much worse.

Labour is heading into its first annual party conference under Burnham’s leadership after Starmer was ousted from office in July.

The new prime minister has secured a real boost in the polls for the party while support for Reform UK has dipped.

However, More in Common think tank believes Labour would still fall short of an absolute majority in a general election.

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