TONY Blair and Peter Mandelson have given up hope of Gordon Brown winning the British general election and believe he may throw in the towel to avoid humiliation by David Cameron.

The damning verdict on the Prime Minister by his two most prominent Labour colleagues came as a book disclosed Mr Blair has branded Mr Brown a "quitter not a fighter".

London's Daily Mail on Sunday reported that Business Secretary Lord Mandelson is "in despair" at Mr Brown's failure to get a grip of events which have led to a growing conviction in Mr Blair's inner circle that a Conservative victory is almost inevitable.

A well-placed source said: "Peter genuinely thought he could turn things round for Gordon but it is proving to be much harder than he imagined. Tony was deeply sceptical about Gordon taking over all along and thinks he is a disaster."

The new book by Sky News political editor Adam Boulton - who is married to Mr Blair's former Downing Street "gatekeeper", Anji Hunter - says Mr Blair has a near-contemptuous view of his successor's ability to bounce back.

It says Mr Blair believes Mr Brown may find an excuse to "duck out" of the election - which must take place by next June - possibly on health grounds.

It also suggests Lord Mandelson is merely "propping up" Mr Brown to make sure the European Union's Lisbon Treaty is approved next month and that, as a result, Mr Blair becomes the EU's first all-powerful president.

Mr Boulton, one of the most influential political commentators in Britain, says that although Mr Blair is still in regular contact with Mr Brown, he has always regarded him as weak. Witheringly, the book, Tony's Ten Years , reveals: "In private, Mr Blair commented to several friends that history showed Mr Brown to be a quitter, not a fighter."

There have also been rumours that Mr Brown could leave No. 10 for a job in academia or at a leading economic institution. Mr Boulton says Mr Blair is determined to become the first president of the EU, a post which will be created by Christmas if the final obstacle to the Lisbon Treaty - next month's Irish referendum - results in a yes vote.

Mr Boulton says: "By propping up Mr Brown, Lord Mandelson has delayed the Election - and quite possibly facilitated the ratification of the treaty. This will doubtless endear him to EU leaders, who in turn might look more favourably on choosing Mr Blair as president."

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,26100928-401,00.html


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