Brown's stitch up

Since becoming Prime Minister Gordon Brown has announced more than £39bn in government spending, revealing the extent to which a new era of cooperation between No 10 and the Treasury has allowed him to dominate the news agenda and reap political dividends. Either that or he still holds his clunking fist over the treasury's head, and bullies them into to doing what he wants.

However, much of the money would normally have been revealed in the 2007 comprehensive spending review, due in October. Instead the huge sum suggests that, as chancellor, Mr Brown was able to hold back funds and policy initiatives until Mr Blair had stood aside. In effect, this helped fund the "honeymoon period" that has delivered a run of poll leads and added to the expectation of an early general election.

Although, I think this simply show Gordon Brown's devious side. So determined was he to take over, he personally limited Blair's opportunity to create his longed for legacy, so he could keep the money back for himself.

It shows that the Labour party can do treachery just like the others.