June 20, 2007. Copyright 2007, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Gordon Brown finally fulfils his long-tem dream
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, June 20, Graphic News: A machine-like politician who is capable of Stalinist ruthlessness, or a dyed-in-the-wool liberal much softened by fatherhood? One thing that everyone agrees is that BritainÕs Prime Minister in-waiting, Gordon Brown, is a man of substance, and that remaining true to this core would seem to be his best chance of lasting some time at Number 10.

Polls show that voters and fellow politicians agree with Tony BlairÕs assessment that Brown is a political heavyweight, in comparison not just with Conservative leader David Cameron, but also with Blair himself, in whose New Labour government Brown has played such a key role. Prime Minister Brown is expected to impose substance over style.

Of BritainÕs public figures, it seems that only Prince Charles has waited longer for his moment in the spotlight. As Chancellor of the Exchequer (finance minister), Brown has spent at least a decade waiting in the wings while Blair has strutted across the world stage. The true nature of their relationship, and how it has withstood this rivalry, will emerge only as Blair fades into the background.

But BlairÕs departure also heralds the end of the first era of spin, in which politicians used the media to manipulate public opinion. Today, and perhaps particularly after Iraq, the public is less gullible and less likely to be spoon-fed an image created by politicians. BrownÕs promises of a new "engagement agenda" appear to reflect awareness of this.

The irony may be that Brown is taking over a country that is crying out for a new kind of politics, and that he appears to represent this despite being co-architect of the New Labour project and several of its more controversial policies. So far Brown has emerged from the Blair era unmarked by sleaze or by the huge bloodstain of Iraq. 

Born in Glasgow on February 21, 1951, BrownÕs father was a Church of Scotland minister whose socialist beliefs were a response to the privation he had seen first-hand. Just before he left high school in Kirkcaldy, Brown suffered a detached retina during a rugby match, which cost him the sight in one eye and had a profound effect on him.

Brown was fast-tracked at school and went to Edinburgh University to study history at 16, graduating with an MA in 1972 and later gaining a doctorate. He lectured before joining Scottish Television as a journalist. In 1983 he entered parliament on his second attempt, as MP for Dumfermline East, and in 1992 he became Shadow Chancellor.

Legend has it that, after the death of former Labour leader John Smith in 1994, Brown and Blair forged their historic pact to carve up the leadership spoils: Brown got control of the economy in return for letting Blair govern the party, and ultimately the country.

As BritainÕs longest-serving finance minister, Brown has been credited with achieving sustained economic growth, though not everyone agrees with his figures. Old-school Labour colleagues have praised him for "stealth socialism", redistributing wealth through projects such as tax credits. Others say he has shied away from taxing the richest. His private finance initiatives have raised some eyebrows but his annual Budgets have won praise.

Critics say he has had too much influence on policies, and Brown has fiercely guarded his right to decide on BritainÕs entrance to the Euro. As Prime Minister in-waiting, Brown has warned EU counterparts that they need to get back in step "with reality". He is also known to have had serious doubts about the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, and President Bush has reportedly been warned of a possible speedy withdrawal of British troops.

Seen as something of an enigma by the public, to colleagues Brown is a divisive figure. He was reportedly stung by former media boss Alistair CampbellÕs claim that he was "psychologically flawed". He is a serious, intensely private man whose apparently forced efforts to emulate BlairÕs common touch have been largely unconvincing.
 
Brown hints that he has been softened by a difficult period in his personal life: in 2002 his daughter Jennifer Jane was born prematurely and died after just 10 days. He and his wife, public relations executive Sarah Macaulay, have since had two sons, the younger of whom, James, has been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.

In any case, Brown knows that his appeal lies with his policies: he promises radical ideas on how to improve virtually every aspect of life in Britain, from health, education and housing, to sleaze-busting and constitutional reform. And he is not going to let novice David Cameron steal his thunder on reducing global poverty or tackling climate change.
/ENDS