Brown’s allies could wreck Labour’s 2005 election hopes, Mandelson warned

Tony Blair was told that tensions with his then chancellor would need to be carefully managed, files reveal

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Peter Mandelson warned Tony Blair not to allow Gordon Brown’s supporters to wreck Labour’s 2005 general election campaign from within, according to newly released government files.

Relations between Blair and his chancellor were strained in the autumn of 2004 as Labour prepared to try for a third successive election victory. Brown and his allies believed the prime minister had reneged on a promise to step down towards the end of Labour’s second term to allow him to take over.