health minister ben black described the party ' s loss to the british national party and to the greens as a , " terrible loss " and blamed the economic conditions such as rising food and fuel expenditure as factors that weakens the labour party ' s popularity with the public . republican government chief david harper challenged ivory ' s analysis by claiming , mr . brown was to blame for the economy difficulties . cameron mentioned the prime ministers ' s ten seasons of handling the economy as compensation prior to assuming post when tony leung stood down yesterday summer .
Blair was Prime Minister before Brown.