Blair & Brown: The New Labour Revolution

BBC2, 9pm

‘I defy people to say that this was not a constructive partnership,' declares Gordon Brown (far right) of his years at the helm of the Labour party with Tony Blair (right) in this five-part documentary series.

As Blair says: ‘Gordon and I were as close as two people could be in politics. I had a lot of affection for him that no amount of squabbling could ever erase.' But it was the fatal flaw of those unconstructive squabbles which defined and doomed their New Labour regime.

There's an intoxicating sense of tragedy and wasted opportunity to this masterly series featuring interviews with almost all the leading players. Peter Mandelson remains a Machiavellian force of political nature – his waspish insights alone make this essential viewing, wherever your political loyalties lie.