Home Blogs & Views Birmingham Mail Columnists Jon Walker
Pole position for one of Brown's 'boot boys'
AS TONY Blair clings to power, Gordon Brown is preparing his team for when he takes over.
Dudley North MP Ian Austin has become the Chancellor's Parliamentary Private Secretary - his eyes and ears among Labour MPs.
Most senior ministers have a backbench MP to act as their PPS. Sometimes that amounts to little more than carrying a Minister's bags for them. But Mr Austin will be a close adviser to Gordon Brown, who of course, is likely to become Britain's next Prime Minister.
The Black Country MP has already worked in the Treasury as Mr Brown's spin doctor.
Since then, the pair have been close - and Tory leader David Cameron once referred to him in the House of Commons as one of Mr Brown's "boot boys".
At least one West Midland MP looks set to play an important role in the Government of this country under Gordon Brown.
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