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I've read a few of my fellow writers now on this topic. I don't necessarily disagree with what they are saying about Brown in comparison with Blair. But I do have to wonder if they have ever read Machiavelli's "The Prince".

There are, of course, many contexts in which one may try to craft a comparison with Machiavelli, but for me the deciding factor against any valid comparison with Machiavelli is Brown's open desire to seek advice and support from those outside his own party and in some cases completely outside mainstream politics.

* "I say, therefore, that the arms with which a prince defends his state are either his own, or they are mercenaries, auxiliaries, or mixed. Mercenaries and auxiliaries are useless and dangerous; and if one holds his state based on these arms, he will stand neither firm nor safe; for they are disunited, ambitious and without discipline, unfaithful, valiant before friends, cowardly before enemies; they have neither the fear of God nor fidelity to men, and destruction is deferred only so long as the attack is; for in peace one is robbed by them, and in war by the enemy." [ Nicolo Machiavelli - The Prince (1555) Chapter XII - translated by W K Marriott (1908) ]

Gordon Brown - Many things to many men (and women) but Machiavellian? I think not!

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