Labour has been making strenuous efforts to forge links, almost from scratch, with Barack Obama and his team in recent months and will step up their efforts now he has won the Democratic nomination. Until the primary season began in January few in Number 10 thought the Illinois senator had the stamina or backing to beat his Democratic rival. Hillary Clinton is part of New Labour's extended family and there is little doubt her victory would have been cheered in Downing Street. A number of advisers, like Bob Schrum, have worked for both the Clintons and Gordon Brown and it would have been easier and more comfortable for Mr Brown if Mrs Clinton had won the nomination. Stewart Wood, a Number 10 special adviser, has been central to establishing links. He has made regular visits to America and got to know some of the key figures in the Obama camp. They include Samantha Powers, who had to resign after comments she made about Mrs Clinton to the Scotsman newspaper, and Tom Daschle, the former Democrat leader in the Senate, as well as other advisers Tony Lake, a Clinton veteran and Denis McDonough, a former foreign policy aide to Mr Daschle. Lord Malloch Brown, using his United Nations connections and links to George Soros, the financier and Obama-backer, has also been acting as a point person between Downing Street and the Democratic candidate. One Labour insider said: "It has been difficult because the Democrats have basically been run by the Clintons for years, so many of Obama's people have been outsiders. But there have been so people who have switched and that has helped."
In London recently a fund-raiser for Mr Obama took place at the Notting Hill home of Rupert Murdoch's daughter, Elisabeth. It raised $400,000, which is thought to be the largest the campaign has received from one event outside America. The Democrat was so pleased with the amount raised he phoned Miss Murdoch, who is married to Matthew Freud, the top PR man, that night and congratulated those who had attended and lent their support. Those attending were asked to pay £1,160 each to Senator Obama's fund. Only those holding American passports are allowed to contribute directly to campaigns. Although Gwyneth Paltrow, the Oscar-winning actress, was invited she did not attend. David Schwimmer, who played Ross in the American series Friends, was photographed arriving at the event which took place on 28 April. The majority of those attending were businessmen and women.