Tony Blair's relationship with Gordon Brown has plunged to a new low after he turned down the chancellor's second request to join the Labour Party's national executive committee.

The prime minister has instead chosen to appoint two junior ministers - Hazel Blears and Douglas Alexander - instead of the chancellor, with the third seat occupied by Ian McCartney, the party chairman,

"It is surprising, arbitrary and not in the best interests of the Labour Party," one "prominent Brownite" told the Guardian.

Tony Blair has also decided chair the party's 2005 general election strategy committee, a role performed by Gordon Brown in 1997 and 2001.

"The prime minister always appoints at least one woman and it makes sense for the other two people to be the chair of the party, Ian McCartney, and Douglas Alexander, who is chair of election planning," a spokesman said last night.