PMs in a pod

Support came from an unexpected quarter this weekend for Gordon Brown as John Major expressed 'sympathy' for the Prime Minster. Mr Major, who led the country through his own fair share of economic strife in the 90s, also suggested that Brown was perhaps how being 'blamed more than he deserved', though emphasised that this balanced out the excessive plaudits he received during his years as Chancellor (the good stuff was all down to John, obviously).

Cold comfort for Brown perhaps, as it may remind the electorate how similar the two PMs are. Both following leaders who defined political eras, both losing embarrassing by-elections...

Watch the interview on iPlayer here (fast forward to 40:48 for the interview).