The Decisions That Broke Brown's Premiership
Which episode did the most damage to
There are political wounds — and then there are mortal ones.
Brown's premiership (2007–2010) suffered three early blows:
- the failed 42-day detention push,
- the 10p tax-rate fiasco,
- and the autumn 2007 election that never was.
All hurt. Only one defined him.
🗳️ The Contenders
1️⃣ The 42-Day Detention Proposal (2008)
Brown pushed to extend pre-charge detention for terror suspects from 28 to 42 days.
Votes:
- Passed the Commons by just 9 votes.
- Later defeated in the Lords.
Political Cost:
- Alienated civil libertarians.
- Deepened suspicion that Labour had drifted into authoritarian territory.
- Required visible arm-twisting to pass.
Quote:
"This is not about politics, it is about protecting the country." — Brown
Assessment:
Damaging to Labour's liberal flank — but it did not define Brown personally. It was a continuation of Blair-era security politics. Controversial, yes. Fatal, no.
2️⃣ The 10p Tax-Rate Debacle (2008)
Brown, as Chancellor, had introduced a 10p starting rate.
As Prime Minister, he abolished it.
The reform simplified tax bands but left millions of low-income workers worse off.
Votes:
- Major Labour rebellion threat.
- Government forced into compensation U-turns.
Political Cost:
- Seen as betrayal of Labour's redistributive identity.
- Undermined Brown's brand as a cautious economic steward.
- Occurred just before the financial crisis.
Quote:
"It was my decision and I take responsibility." — Brown
Assessment:
This was reputational damage. It weakened his moral authority within Labour and exposed poor political antennae. But it did not destroy his premiership. The financial crisis later reframed his economic credibility — temporarily restoring some stature.
3️⃣ The Autumn 2007 "Non-Election"
The election that wasn't.
When Brown replaced Tony Blair in June 2007, Labour enjoyed a strong poll lead over David Cameron.
Speculation of a snap election grew intense.
Cabinet briefings hinted it was coming.
Campaign machinery stirred.
Expectations rose.
Then Brown pulled back.
Votes:
None. That was the point.
Political Cost:
- Framed as indecision.
- Cameron branded him "Bottler Brown."
- Labour's poll lead evaporated.
- Momentum shifted decisively to the Conservatives.
Quote:
"I have considered carefully whether now is the right time to seek a mandate… I have concluded that it is not." — Brown, October 2007
Cameron's response was sharper:
"This is the first Prime Minister in British history to flinch from the voters."
🧠 Evaluation: What Was Most Damaging?
The Verdict (shared by Anthony Seldon in 'Brown at 10')
The aborted 2007 election was the most devastating episode of Brown's premiership.
Not because it changed policy.
Not because it altered law.
But because it altered perception.
Politics runs on authority. Brown's authority, only months old, was punctured.
From that moment forward:
- He appeared reactive rather than decisive.
- He looked cautious rather than commanding.
- Cameron appeared confident by contrast.
The financial crisis in 2008 briefly restored Brown's stature on the world stage. But domestically, the narrative of hesitation never fully disappeared.
The election that never happened defined the government that followed.
