Kirkcaldy Kirsty: The former anti-Blair student firebrand helping Gordon Brown write his book in Scotland
By
Simon Walters, Mail on Sunday Political Editor
Last updated at 2:21 AM on 20th June 2010
A former student activist who insulted Tony Blair has been staying with Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah at their Scottish home to help him write a book based on his experience in Downing Street.
Kirsty McNeill, who worked as a speech writer for Mr Brown in No10, spends several days a week with him working on a major writing project about global economics and international social trends.
Mr Brown has been to Westminster only once since losing the Election, to swear in formally as an MP, prompting rumours about his well-being.
I'm in: Kirsty McNeill, pictured second from the right, is helping Gordon Brown write his book at his Scottish home
However, friends say the 59-year-old is in ‘good spirits’, spending most of his time writing, relaxing on long walks and indulging his passion for football by watching the World Cup.
The couple’s sons, John and Fraser, both go to school in London and have so far remained in the capital during the week so as not to disrupt their education. John, six, is at primary school and Fraser, three, at nursery.
The boys are understood to be staying with close friends of the family.
Mrs Brown, 46, spends part of the week with them in London and at weekends the whole family is reunited at the house in North Queensferry, Fife, in Mr Brown’s Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency.
Glaswegian Ms McNeill, 29, was recruited by Mr Brown towards the end of his days at No10, becoming his chief speech writer. Her rapid promotion through the ranks prompted jealousy among other Downing Street staffers and was reportedly criticised by Peter Mandelson.
She is said to possess an uncanny ability to translate ideas into ‘Gordon-speak’ and is now helping him with research for a series of projects.
Ms McNeill received an estimated £10,000 pay-off when she left No10 and is understood to be working for Mr Brown for free.
Activist: McNeill led protests and sit-ins as a student at Oxford University
A former world debating champion, she was a radical student activist while at Oxford University. When adopted as a Labour Parliamentary candidate for the 2005 Election, she paid tribute to Mr Blair as ‘a vote-winner who has headed the best Government this country has ever had’.
However, at Oxford, where she was Student Union president, she led sit-ins and mass protests against Mr Blair’s policies. She joined the Campaign For Free Education – an alliance of hard-Left causes that united in opposition to tuition fees.
In 2000 she led a loud protest against Mr Blair. As his motorcade arrived she is said to have shouted: ‘Are you Thatcher in disguise?’
As he delivered a speech she was among hecklers chanting: ‘Tony Blair, shame on you, shame on you for turning blue.’
A friend of Mr Brown said: ‘Gordon is doing a lot of writing on economics and other issues.
‘It could lead to a book or a series of lectures or speeches. He likes to bounce ideas off her. They work well together. She’s a friend of the family. Kirsty and Sarah get on well too.’
Ms McNeill is also thought to be assisting Mrs Brown, who plans to publish her memoirs in the autumn.
The Browns have yet to decide if they will settle in Scotland or in London. They could go abroad for him to run an international finance institution or take up an academic post.
But friends are angered by reports Mr Brown is depressed. ‘He’s on good form,’ said one.
‘Though he’s only been to Westminster once, he’s spending time on constituency visits, lots of walks and enjoying the World Cup.’
Gordon Brown - whatever happened to him ?
- Dorkus Jokus, Dorkington next the Sea, 20/6/2010 10:08
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