The Gordon defence

By Mark Simpson BBC News

POSTED: Thursday 28 April, 1345BST

Never mind '"education, education, education", if journalists had an election slogan, it would be "Iraq, Iraq, Iraq".

One tie, one message

That was the observation of a world-weary Labour official after the media got stuck into Tony Blair at what was supposed to be a business news conference.

As the PM battled through an onslaught of questions about Iraq (incidentally, it lasted 45 minutes), he was repeatedly defended by his right-hand-man.

Yes, Gordon Brown gave as strong a defence of the war - and Mr Blair - as anyone can remember. He spoke of his personal "trust" and "respect" for the PM and nodded repeatedly as he spoke beside him.

It was the latest evidence of the new-found closeness between GB and TB.

Gordon, however, might be best advised to start keeping his distance - Tony has developed a rather nasty campaign cough.

Your comments

So when I shudder at the two of them being all buddy-buddy it's just a case of the GBee-TBees
Sarah, Swindon

Quote from the past; "We must all hang together for if we do not we will all undoubtedly hang separately". From the various things heard on TV and radio today, the principle still applies ?!
Ferrand, Ludlow, UK

I wish you wouldn't shorten peoples names. The first time I read the article, I thought Great Britain (GB) was getting close to Tuberculosis (TB) !
Russ, Dundee, UK

Perhaps Gordon's cough is the first sign of TB fever
John, Guildford

Over the past few years I've come to realise that when a Prime Minister says that a minister in a spot of bother has his full support, you know that minister is about to be sacked. What does it mean, then, when Gordon Brown gives the Prime Minister his full support?
Francisco, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

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