Ancient & modern
As the Blair reign draws to a close, how is the transfer of power to his successor to be organised so as to leave his achievements in place and his legacy intact? Mr Blair has clearly been reading his Tacitus, for he has been adopting the very tactics used by Augustus to ensure that the transition to his stepson Tiberius was seamless.
Augustus had for a long time been worried about what would happen when he died. As Rome’s first emperor (27 BC–AD 14), he had transformed the state from a free, democratic republic into a monarchy, which he was determined should become a dynasty. But he knew his autocratic domination of the political scene for over 40 years could, at his demise, leave his family vulnerable to who-knew-what competing forces of resentment and ambition. That could well mean no legacy for Augustus, and civil war too (as it did in AD 68 when Nero committed suicide with no heir in the wings). A peaceful succession, which would ratify the monarchic principle and maintain the ideological and institutional framework which Augustus had developed, was therefore crucial. All very Blairite.
So Augustus set about ensuring that the claim to succession was set in concrete. First, he constructed an oath, to be taken by citizens across the empire, swearing allegiance to him and his descendants. The emperor was the universal patron: who would not wish to continue to be so patronised? Second, in the absence of sons and viable grandsons, he had adopted his wife Livia’s son, Tiberius. He then had Tiberius invested by the Senate and people with powers virtually equal to his own, so that by AD 13 Tiberius was effectively co-ruler. The moment Augustus died, not a second was lost: Tiberius acceded, a dodgy grandson of Augustus was murdered, and loyal oaths to protect Tiberius and his household were taken by consuls, Senate, people, and across the empire.
And so it will be with Mr Brown. He is the adopted son. The party awaits him. Even now he is effectively co-prime minister. Only his own flagrant, and deeply unBritish, ambition may unseat him. Since Roman emperors pretended to refuse the offer of power, it might be a good joke to suggest Gordon did the same. But one thing is certain: his high imperial throne will make Blair’s sofa look like Piccadilly Circus.
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