Gordon puts book on hold

Gordon Brown has postponed indefinitely a major book setting out his political beliefs, in a fresh sign that his leadership ambitions are on hold.

Colleagues had expected the Chancellor to publish this summer, in time for the party conference season for maximum political impact.

The work, which has been dubbed a personal "manifesto", will lay out Mr Brown's philosophy and his vision of Labour's long-term direction. Some ministers see it as part of a campaign to secure the keys of 10 Downing Street. But despite over three years of planning and writing, Mr Brown's book has been put into the long grass. It is not now likely to be published until after the general election at the earliest.

The disclosure comes a week after Mr Brown used a radio interview to declare he expects Tony Blair to stay in power for another two years at least. He is also said to have urged backbench supporters not to rock the boat before the general election. The book is being co-authored by Mr Brown's economics adviser, Ed Balls, and the academic and long-term ally, Lord Plant of Highfield.

Lord Plant told the Evening Standard: "The ball is in the court of Gordon and Ed, not mine. I would not say it was imminent."

Describing the book as a "restatement of centre-Left politics", Lord Plant said he had never discussed the leadership issue with Mr Brown. "Our conversations have been entirely about the future of social democracy, markets, the State and community."