Brown denies 'trivialising' politics by using wife on campaign
Sarah Brown has introduced her husband at the last two Labour conferences
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By Darren Estwick. |  |
Sunday, 14, Mar 2010 04:27
By Richard James.
Gordon Brown has dismissed criticism he is "trivialising" politics by using his wife and family to gain crucial votes ahead of the general election.
During questioning on BBC One's Politics Show, the prime minister said it was right the public should know about their leader's wives.
David Cameron's wife Samantha will become the latest political spouse to join the election battle when she appears in a one-off special for ITV on the Conservative leader later tonight.
Mr Brown told the BBC he had no interest in becoming a "celebrity" and maintained he would never use his children in campaigning.
Discussing his decision to have his wife Sarah introduce him at the last two Labour party conferences, the prime minister said: "Well first of all, I decided we would not bring our children into politics.
"Look, I've decided to be a politician and that's for people to judge whether they still want me to be that politician.
"My wife is supporting me and we work together on this, and she's made that decision. But my children haven't made that decision so they should be kept ... I've got to protect their childhood and I think everybody would respect that."
Sarah Brown has dramatically increased her public profile over the last year, especially after joining the micro-blogging website Twitter where she now has over one million followers.