Brownism

In British politics Brownism describes the political ideology of former Labour leader and former prime minister Gordon Brown.^[1] Supporters are considered to be Brownite.^[2][3][4]

The term Brownite has been used to describe an ideological faction within the British Labour Party^[5] in contrast to Blairite, the adjective used to refer to the political ideology of Tony Blair. Brownites tend to be less enthusiastic about market driven reforms such as tuition fees and foundational hospitals and more keen on the role of the state,^[6] less critical of Labour's links to the unions^[7] and critical of media management techniques such as the use of spin doctors.^[7] Brownites are considered to be slightly to the left of Blairites although it has been argued that the difference between Blairites and Brownites is more tribal than ideological.^[8] Will Hutton argues: Like Tony Blair he [Gordon Brown] is a believer in a pluralist and fair society, social mobility, and marrying economic efficiency with social justice.^[8]

In mid-2011 the BBC's Home editor Mark Easton judged that Brownism had made little lasting impact.^[1]

Notable Brownites

This is a list of people that have been referred to in the Press as Brownites but who may not personally consider themselves as such.

• Ed Miliband^[9]
• Alistair Darling^[10]
• Ed Balls^[9]
• Harriet Harman^[10][11]
• Shriti Vadera^[11]
• Des Browne^[10]
• Douglas Alexander^[12]
• Kevan Jones^[13]
• Tom Clarke^[13]
• Yvette Cooper^[10]
• Dawn Primarolo^[10]
• Donald Dewar^[14]
• Nick Brown^[14]
• Nigel Griffiths^[14]
• Tom Watson
• Chris Bryant
• Lord Elder
• Ian Austin
• Sue Nye
• Andrew Smith
• John Prescott
• Scott

See also

• Blair–Brown deal

References

Further reading

• Maguire, Kevin, The whispers Brownites v Brownies The split we'll be hearing a lot more about, The New Statesman, (2007)