The Blair-Brown deal, also known as the Granita Pact, is a shorthand term for a widely-held belief in British politics that Tony Blair and Gordon Brown made a gentlemen’s agreement after the death of Labour leader John Smith in 1994.[1]
According to several authors,[2][3] Gordon Brown agreed not to stand in the Labour Party leadership election, effectively giving Blair a clear run, and letting him lead the Labour Party in the 1997 general election. In return, Brown would be allowed wide powers over domestic policy. This was apparently confirmed by a copy of a note published in The Guardian in June 2003. The note mentions Blair’s commitment to a “fairness agenda” consisting of “social justice, employment opportunities and skills” under a Labour government. [4]
According to a widely-held (but unconfirmed) view, Blair also agreed that if he acceeded to the position of Prime Minister, he would stay in the job for an agreed period of time. He would then resign and hand the job over to Brown.[5]
It is commonly believed that the ‘deal’ was agreed at the now-defunct Granita restaurant in Islington, London.[6][2][3].
This was the focus of a fun little movie called “The Deal”
How this could play out for the Democrats is both fascinating and a practical exercise. One could agree to be Vice President with an extraordinary portfolio such as foreign affairs, global warming, and energy independence. If Clinton and Obama were able to get past their competition they could merge their considerable wide range of talents, skills and connections to create a bi-partisan dream team of national leadership.
Born 1950, Married, Living in Austin Texas, Semi
Retired Small Business owner and investor. My political interest
evolved out of his business experience that the best decisions come out of an objective gathering of information and a pragmatic consideration of costs and benefits. I am interested in promoting Centrist candidates and Policies. My posts are mostly about people and policies that I believe are part of the solution rather the problem.