These are the surprising insights of Dr Irwin Stelzer, the US economist, right-hand man of Rupert Murdoch and close confidant of the two most powerful men in British politics. In his first major newspaper interview, in today's Observer, Stelzer offers unrivalled insight into the Blair-Brown relationship. He also attacks the widespread perception that he is Murdoch's 'enforcer', capable of bending Downing Street to the mogul's will.
Given his ties to Murdoch and allegiance to Reaganomics, Thatcherism and neoconservatism, Stelzer's influence in Downing Street will unsettle many Labour supporters.'I see them when they want to see me if there's a specific issue I know about ... I might call up and say I have an idea, and if it's worth listening to me we'll have a cup of coffee.'
When Blair wanted to ask Stelzer's advice on the minimum wage, 'he invited me over what he calls lunch, which is a salad and Diet Coke', recalls Stelzer, a right-wing author and columnist. Meetings with Brown, meanwhile, do not linger on the dish of the day. 'I don't think Gordon knows what he's eaten if he's in a discussion.'
Stelzer confirmed Brown's desire to reach No 10, but added: 'I don't know if he'd like the job. I don't know how he would tolerate the frustration of dealing with a ministerial colleague who first of all wasn't as bright - which I guarantee you none of them would be - and second was not completely signed on to both the means and the ends.'
Blair is a 'more intuitive' politician who is 'more comfortable in the Middle England and celebrity milieu'. He has told Stelzer that 'George W Bush is one the most intelligent men he's ever met'.
