The Right Honourable  Gordon Brown  MP MA(Hons) PhD
Speaking at the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Press Conference in 2004. The Right Honourable (abbreviated as The Rt Hon) is an Honorific prefix that is traditionally applied to certain A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a Parliament. A Master of Arts in Scotland is an academic degree in Humanities and Social sciences awarded by the Ancient universities of Scotland – The British undergraduate degree classification system is a grading scheme for Undergraduate degrees ( Bachelor's degrees and some Master's degrees "PhD" redirects here for other uses see PhD (disambiguation.
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Incumbent
Assumed office  27 June 2007
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Deputy	Harriet Harman
Preceded by	Tony Blair
Chancellor of the Exchequer
In office 2 May 1997 – 27 June 2007
Prime Minister	Tony Blair
Preceded by	Kenneth Clarke
Succeeded by	Alistair Darling
Member of Parliament for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath Dunfermline East (1983 – 2005)
Incumbent
Assumed office  9 June 1983
Preceded by	New constituency
Majority	18,216 (43. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the political leader of the United Kingdom Events 1358 - Republic of Dubrovnik is founded 1709 - Peter the Great defeats Charles XII of Sweden Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II Harriet Ruth Harman Anthony Charles Lynton "Tony" Blair (born 6 May 1953 is a British Politician who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the title held by the British Cabinet minister who is responsible for all Economic and Financial Events 1194 - King Richard I of England gives Portsmouth its first Royal Charter. Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar Events 1358 - Republic of Dubrovnik is founded 1709 - Peter the Great defeats Charles XII of Sweden Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Anthony Charles Lynton "Tony" Blair (born 6 May 1953 is a British Politician who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to Kenneth Harry "Ken" Clarke QC MP (born 2 July 1940) is a British Politician. Alistair Maclean Darling (born 28 November 1953 is a British Politician and Chancellor of the Exchequer since 28 June 2007 Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath is a County constituency representing the areas around the towns of Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, in Fife, Scotland Dunfermline East was a Burgh constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Events 53 - Roman Emperor Nero marries Claudia Octavia 62 - Claudia Octavia commits Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) 6%)
Born	20 February 1951 (1951-02-20) (age 57) Govan, Glasgow, Scotland
Nationality	British (Scottish)
Political party	Labour
Spouse	Sarah Brown
Children	John and James Fraser
Residence	10 Downing Street (official) North Queensferry (private)[1]
Alma mater	University of Edinburgh
Occupation	Politician
Profession	Academic Journalist
Religion	Church of Scotland

James Gordon Brown (born 20 February 1951) is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Events 1472 - Orkney and Shetland are left by Norway to Scotland, due to a Dowry payment Year 1951 ( MCMLI) was a Common year starting on Monday. Events of 1951 January Govan ( Scottish Gaelic: Baile a' Ghobhainn) is a district and former Burgh in the southwestern part of the City of Glasgow, Glasgow (ˈglæzgoʊ is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. The Labour Party is a Political party in the United Kingdom. Founded at the start of the 20th century it has been since the 1920s the principal party of the Sarah Brown (née Macaulay; born 31 October 1963 is the wife of Gordon Brown, the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Sarah Brown (née Macaulay; born 31 October 1963 is the wife of Gordon Brown, the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. North Queensferry is a village in Fife, Scotland, on the Firth of Forth, between the Forth Bridge and the Forth Road Bridge, Alma mater is Latin for "nourishing mother" It was used in Ancient Rome as a title for the mother Goddess, and in Medieval The University of Edinburgh (Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann founded in 1582 is a renowned centre for teaching and research in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. A politician (from Greek " Polis " is an individual who is involved in influencing public decision making through the influence of Politics or a person A journalist (also called a newspaperman) is a person who practices Journalism, the gathering and dissemination of information about current events trends The Church of Scotland (Eaglais na h-Alba known informally by its Scots language name The Kirk, is the National church of Scotland. Events 1472 - Orkney and Shetland are left by Norway to Scotland, due to a Dowry payment Year 1951 ( MCMLI) was a Common year starting on Monday. Events of 1951 January The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the political leader of the United Kingdom He took office on 27 June 2007, three days after becoming leader of the Labour Party. Events 1358 - Republic of Dubrovnik is founded 1709 - Peter the Great defeats Charles XII of Sweden Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Labour Party is a Political party in the United Kingdom. Founded at the start of the 20th century it has been since the 1920s the principal party of the Prior to this he served as the Chancellor of the Exchequer under Tony Blair from 1997 to 2007, becoming the United Kingdom's longest serving Chancellor since Nicholas Vansittart in the early 19th century. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the title held by the British Cabinet minister who is responsible for all Economic and Financial Anthony Charles Lynton "Tony" Blair (born 6 May 1953 is a British Politician who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Nicholas Vansittart 1st Baron Bexley, PC ( 29 April 1766 &ndash 8 February 1851) was an English Politician, He has a PhD in history from the University of Edinburgh,^[2][3] and, as Prime Minister, he also holds the positions of First Lord of the Treasury and the Minister for the Civil Service. "PhD" redirects here for other uses see PhD (disambiguation. History is the study of the past particularly the written record Those who study history as a Profession are called Historians Etymology The University of Edinburgh (Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann founded in 1582 is a renowned centre for teaching and research in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. The First Lord of the Treasury is the head of the commission exercising the ancient office of Lord High Treasurer in the United Kingdom, usually but not In British government, the Minister for the Civil Service is the head of the Her Majesty's Civil Service, the role of which is to assist the governments of the He has been a Member of Parliament since 1983; firstly for Dunfermline East and since 2005 for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath. A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a Parliament. Dunfermline East was a Burgh constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Results Overview For events leading up to the date of the election see article Pre-election day events of the United Kingdom general Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath is a County constituency representing the areas around the towns of Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, in Fife, Scotland ^[4][5]

Contents 1 Early life and career before parliament 2 Election to parliament and opposition 3 Brown as Chancellor of the Exchequer 3.1 Acts as Chancellor 3.1.1 Tax 3.2 Analysis of policies as Chancellor 3.3 Other policy stances as Chancellor 4 Run up to succeeding Blair 5 Brown as Prime Minister 5.1 Policies 5.2 Foreign policy 5.2.1 Diplomatic relationship with the U.S. 6 Married life and family 7 Controversies 7.1 Links with nuclear power industry 7.2 The "non-election" 7.3 Military covenant 7.4 Europe 8 Depictions of Brown in popular culture 9 See also 10 Notes 11 References 11.1 Works 11.2 Biographies 11.3 Others 12 External links

Early life and career before parliament

Gordon Brown was born in Govan, Glasgow, Scotland,^[6][7] although media^[8][9] have occasionally given his place of birth as Giffnock, Renfrewshire, where his parents were living at the time. Govan ( Scottish Gaelic: Baile a' Ghobhainn) is a district and former Burgh in the southwestern part of the City of Glasgow, Glasgow (ˈglæzgoʊ is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Giffnock is an area within East Renfrewshire, Scotland. Giffnock's location within Greater Glasgow effectively makes it a suburb of the city though it Renfrewshire or the County of Renfrew is a Registration county, Lieutenancy area, and one of the Counties of Scotland used for local

His father, John Ebenezer Brown, was a minister of the Church of Scotland. A Church of Scotland congregation is led by its minister and elders. The Church of Scotland (Eaglais na h-Alba known informally by its Scots language name The Kirk, is the National church of Scotland. He was a strong influence on Brown and died in 1998, aged 84. ^[10] His mother Jessie Elizabeth Souter, known as Bunty, died in 2004 aged 86. ^[11] She was the daughter of John Souter, a timber merchant^[12] Gordon was brought up with his brothers John and Andrew Brown in a manse in Kirkcaldy—the largest town in Fife, Scotland across the Firth of Forth from Edinburgh. This article is about the house type "Manse" is also a nickname for the city of Tampere, named after Manchester. Kirkcaldy (kɪrˈkɔːdi Cathair Chaladain) is a town and former Royal burgh in Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. Fife ( Gaelic: Fìobha) is a Council area of Scotland, situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. The Firth of Forth ( Scottish Gaelic: Linne Foirthe) is the Estuary or Firth of Scotland's River Forth, where it flows Edinburgh ( ˈɛdɪnb(ərə Dùn Èideann) is the Capital of Scotland and is its second largest city after Glasgow. ^[13] In common with many other notable Scots, he is therefore often referred to as a "son of the manse". List of Scots is an incomplete list of notable people from Scotland. Brown was educated first at Kirkcaldy West Primary School^[14] where he was selected for an experimental fast stream education programme, which took him two years early to Kirkcaldy High School for an academic hothouse education taught in separate classes. Tracking (also called ability grouping or streaming) is the practice in Education, of placing students into different groups within a School Kirkcaldy High School is a non-denominational comprehensive state school in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland. Hothousing is a controversial form of education for children involving intense study of a topic in order to stimulate the child's mind At age 16 he wrote that he loathed and resented this "ludicrous" experiment on young lives. ^[15]

He was accepted by the University of Edinburgh to study history at the age of only 16. The University of Edinburgh (Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann founded in 1582 is a renowned centre for teaching and research in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. He suffered a retinal detachment after being kicked in the head during an end-of-term rugby union match at his old school. Retinal detachment is a disorder of the Eye in which the Retina peels away from its underlying layer of support tissue Overview See also Playing rugby union A rugby union match lasts for 80 minutes (plus stoppage time with a short He was left blind in his left eye, despite treatment including several operations and lying in a darkened room for weeks at a time. Blindness is the condition of lacking Visual perception due to Physiological or Neurological factors Later at Edinburgh, while playing tennis, he noticed the same symptoms in his right eye. Tennis is a sport played between two players ( singles) or between two teams of two players each ( doubles) Brown underwent experimental surgery at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and his eye was saved. The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, often colloquially referred to as Edinburgh Royal Infirmary or ERI, established in 1729 is the oldest Voluntary hospital ^[16] Brown graduated from Edinburgh with First Class Honours MA in 1972,^[17] and stayed on to complete his PhD (which he gained in 1982), titled The Labour Party and Political Change in Scotland 1918-29. The British undergraduate degree classification system is a grading scheme for Undergraduate degrees ( Bachelor's degrees and some Master's degrees A Master of Arts in Scotland is an academic degree in Humanities and Social sciences awarded by the Ancient universities of Scotland – "PhD" redirects here for other uses see PhD (disambiguation. ^[18]

In 1972, while still a student and with strong connections with the previous Dean of Admissions, Brown was elected Rector^[19] of the University of Edinburgh, the convener of the University Court. The Lord Rector of the University of Edinburgh is elected every three years by the students and staff at the University of Edinburgh. A University Court is an administrative body of a University in the United Kingdom. Brown served as Rector until 1975, and he also edited The Red Paper on Scotland. ^[20] From 1976 to 1980 he was employed as a lecturer in Politics at Glasgow College of Technology - in the 1979 general election, Brown stood for the Edinburgh South constituency and lost to the Conservative candidate, Michael Ancram. Politics Politics is the process by which groups of people make decisions Glasgow Caledonian University, ( Gaelic: Oilthigh Ghlaschu Caledonach) ( Scots: Glesga Caledonian Varsitie) is a University in Background Callaghan had succeeded Harold Wilson as Labour Prime Minister after the latter's surprise resignation in April 1976 Edinburgh South is a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, first used in the general election of 1885 The Conservative Party (officially the Conservative and Unionist Party) is a Political party in the United Kingdom. Michael Andrew Foster Jude Kerr 13th Marquess of Lothian PC, QC, MP (born 7 July 1945 known as Michael Ancram, is a United Kingdom ^[17] From 1980 he worked as a journalist at Scottish Television, later serving as current affairs editor until his election to parliament in 1983. Scottish Television (now legally known as STV Central Ltd and referred to on-air as STV) is Scotland's largest ITV franchisee, and has held the ^[21]

Election to parliament and opposition

Gordon Brown was elected to Parliament on his second attempt as a Labour MP for Dunfermline East in 1983 general election and became opposition spokesman on Trade and Industry in 1985. Dunfermline East was a Burgh constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Results The Conservatives won with a majority of 144 seats|} Total votes cast 30661309 Parliamentary opposition is a form of political opposition to a designated government particularly in a Westminster -based Parliamentary system In 1986, he published a biography of the Independent Labour Party politician James Maxton, the subject of his PhD thesis. A biography (from the Greek words bíos (βίος meaning "life" and gráphein (γράφειν meaning "to write" is an account See Independent Labor Party for the Political party in Burundi, Independent Labour Group for the Irish party and Labour candidates James Maxton (1885 &ndash 23 July 1946) was a Scottish socialist politician and leader of the Independent Labour Party. "PhD" redirects here for other uses see PhD (disambiguation. Brown was Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury from 1987 to 1989 and then Shadow Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, before becoming Shadow Chancellor in 1992. The Shadow Cabinet (also called the Shadow Front Bench) is a senior group of opposition spokespeople in the Westminster system of government who together under the The Chief Secretary to the Treasury is the second most senior ministerial position in HM Treasury, after the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Secretary of State for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (formerly the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry before the June 28, 2007 ^[17][22]

Having led the Labour Movement Yes campaign, refusing to join the cross-party Yes for Scotland campaign, during the 1979 Scottish devolution referendum, while other senior Labour politicians - including Robin Cook, Tam Dalyell and Brian Wilson - campaigned for a No vote, Brown was subsequently a key participant in the Scottish Constitutional Convention, signing the Claim of Right for Scotland in 1989. The Scottish referendum of 1979 was a post-legislative Referendum to decide whether there was sufficient support for the Scotland Act 1978 among the Scottish Robert Finlayson Cook (28 February 1946 &ndash 6 August 2005 better known as " Robin Cook " was a Politician in the British Labour Sir Thomas Dalyell of the Binns 11th Baronet (born 9 August 1932) known as Tam Dalyell (diːˈɛl is a Scottish Politician Brian Wilson (born 13 December 1948 in Dunoon, Scotland) is a politician in the United Kingdom. The Scottish Constitutional Convention (SCC was association of Scottish political parties churches and other civic groups that developed a framework for a Scottish A Claim of Right for Scotland was a document crafted by the Scottish Constitutional Convention in 1988 ^[23]

After the sudden death of Labour leader John Smith in May 1994, Brown was tipped as a potential party leader,^[24] but did not contest the leadership after Tony Blair became favourite. John Smith QC (13 September 1938&ndash12 May 1994 was a Scottish Politician who served as leader of the Labour Party from July 1992 until his Anthony Charles Lynton "Tony" Blair (born 6 May 1953 is a British Politician who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to It has long been rumoured a deal was struck between Blair and Brown at the former Granita restaurant in Islington,^[25] in which Blair promised to give Brown control of economic policy in return for Brown not standing against him in the leadership election. Granita was a restaurant in Islington, London, England. It has a certain prominence in British politics, as in late May 1994 it was the setting Islington is the central district of the London Borough of Islington. A leadership election was held on July 21, 1994 for the Labour Party in the United Kingdom, after the death of incumbent leader John Smith. ^[26] Whether this is true or not, the relationship between Blair and Brown has been central to the fortunes of "New Labour", and they have mostly remained united in public, despite reported serious private rifts. The Labour Party is a Political party in the United Kingdom. Founded at the start of the 20th century it has been since the 1920s the principal party of the ^[27]

As Shadow Chancellor, Brown worked to present himself as a fiscally competent Chancellor-in-waiting, to reassure business and the middle class that Labour could be trusted to run the economy without fuelling inflation, increasing unemployment, or overspending—legacies of the 1970s. In economics inflation or price inflation is a rise in the general level of prices of goods and services over a period of time He publicly committed Labour to following the Conservatives' spending plans for the first two years after taking power. ^[28][29]

Following a reorganisation of parliamentary constituencies in Scotland, Brown became MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath at the 2005 election. Scottish Westminster constituencies were Scottish Constituencies of the House of Commons of the Parliament of Great Britain, normally Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath is a County constituency representing the areas around the towns of Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, in Fife, Scotland Results Overview For events leading up to the date of the election see article Pre-election day events of the United Kingdom general ^[30]

Brown as Chancellor of the Exchequer

See also Chancellorship of Gordon Brown

Brown's ten years and two months as Chancellor of the Exchequer made him the longest-serving Chancellor in modern history. The World Bank is an internationally supported Bank that provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries for development programs (e The International Monetary Fund ( IMF) is an International organization that oversees the Global financial system by following the Macroeconomic Gordon Brown 's period of office as Chancellor of the Exchequer lasted from 2 May 1997 when Labour returned to power in the United Kingdom for the first time in 18 The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the title held by the British Cabinet minister who is responsible for all Economic and Financial ^[16]

The Prime Minister's website singles out three achievements in particular from Brown's decade as Chancellor: presiding over "the longest ever period of growth", making the Bank of England independent and delivering an agreement on poverty and climate change at the G8 summit in 2005. ^[17] However, critics of Brown's record as Chancellor point out that he was fortunate to inherit a strong economy from the Conservatives. ^[31]

Acts as Chancellor

• Bank of England independence: On taking office as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Brown gave the Bank of England operational independence in monetary policy, and thus responsibility for setting interest rates. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the title held by the British Cabinet minister who is responsible for all Economic and Financial The Bank of England (formally the Governor and Company of the Bank of England) is a state-owned institution and the Central bank of the United Kingdom Monetary policy is the process by which the Government, Central bank, or monetary authority of a country controls (i the Supply of Money, Interest is a fee paid on borrowed capital Assets lent include Money, Shares, Consumer goods through Hire purchase, major assets
• Spending: Once the two-year period of following the Conservatives' spending plans was over, Brown's 2000 Spending Review outlined a major expansion of government spending, particularly on health and education. Government spending or government expenditure is classified by economists into three main types In his April 2002 budget, Brown raised national insurance to pay for health spending. National Insurance (NI is a system of taxes and related Social security benefits in the United Kingdom. Brown changed tax policy in other ways, such as the working tax credits. Tax policy is the government's approach to Taxation, both from the practical and normative side of the question Working tax credit ( WTC) is a component of the current Tax credits scheme in the United Kingdom - part of the system of means-tested social security benefits ^[32][33]
• Growth: An OECD report^[34] shows UK economic growth averaged 2. Economic growth is the increase in the amount of the goods and services produced by an economy over time 7% between 1997 and 2006, higher than the Eurozone's 2. 1%, though lower than in any other English-speaking country. English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States UK unemployment is 5. 5%,^[35] down from 7% in 1997 and lower than the Eurozone's average of 8. 1%.
• Euro: In October 1997, Brown took control of the United Kingdom's membership of the European single currency issue by announcing the Treasury would set five economic tests^[36] to ascertain whether the economic case had been made. The five economic tests are the criteria defined by the United Kingdom Government that are to be used to assess the UK's readiness to join the Eurozone and adopt the In June 2003 the Treasury indicated the tests had not been passed. HM Treasury, in full Her Majesty's Treasury, informally The Treasury, is the United Kingdom government department responsible for developing and executing ^[37]

• Gold sales: Between 1999 and 2002 Brown sold 60% of the UK's gold reserves at $275 an ounce. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (; born 7 October 1952 in Leningrad, USSR; now Saint Petersburg, Russia was the second President of Russia Gold reserves (or gold holdings) are held by Central banks as a Store of value. ^[38] It was later attacked as a "disastrous foray into international asset management"^[39] as he had sold at close to a 20-year low. He pressured the IMF to do the same,^[40] but it resisted. The gold sales have earned him the pejorative nickname 'Golden Brown', after the song by The Stranglers. " Golden Brown " is a song by the English rock band The Stranglers. The Stranglers are an English rock music group formed on 11 September 1974 in Guildford, Surrey. [1]
• Spectrum auctions: Under Brown, telecom radio frequency auctions gathered £22. Radio frequency ( RF) is a Frequency or rate of Oscillation within the range of about 3 Hz to 300 GHz "Auctioneer" redirects here For the DC Comics supervillain see Auctioneer (comics. 5 billion for the government. By using a system of sealed bids and only selling a restricted number of licences, they extracted high prices from the telecom operators. ^[41] Germany at this time applied a similar auction, and these together caused a severe recession in the European telecoms development industry (2001 Telecoms crash) with the loss of 100,000 jobs across Europe, 30,000 of those in the UK. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. A recession is a contraction phase of the Business cycle. The U The 2001 Telecoms crash is often confused with the Dot Com crash which happened at around the same time ^[42]
• Debt relief and development: Brown believes it is appropriate to remove much of the unpayable Third World debt but does not think all debt should be wiped out. Developing countries' debt is External debt incurred by the governments of Third World countries, generally in quantities beyond the governments' political ^[43] On 20 April 2006, in a speech to the United Nations Ambassadors, Brown outlined a "Green" view of global development. Events 1303 - The University of Rome La Sapienza is instituted by Pope Boniface VIII. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security Green politics is a Political ideology which places a high importance on ecological and environmental goals and on achieving these goals through broad-based

Tax

In the 1997 election and subsequently, Brown pledged to not increase the basic or higher rates of income tax. Over his Chancellorship, he reduced the basic rate from 23% to 20%. However, in all but his final budget, Brown increased the tax thresholds in line with inflation, rather than earnings, resulting in fiscal drag. Fiscal drag refers to the process where tax thresholds are either not adjusted for inflation or fail to keep pace with earnings growth causing in either case an automatic rise in Corporation tax fell under Brown, from a main rate of 33% to 28%, and from 24% to 19% for small businesses. Corporate tax refers to a Tax levied by various jurisdictions on the Profits made by companies or associations. ^[44]

In 1999, Brown introduced a lower tax band of 10%. He abolished this in his last budget in 2007 to reduce the basic rate from 22% to 20%, increasing tax for 5 million people,^[45] and, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies leaving those earning between under £18,000 as the biggest losers. Alistair Maclean Darling (born 28 November 1953 is a British Politician and Chancellor of the Exchequer since 28 June 2007 The Institute for Fiscal Studies is a UK economic research Institute. ^[46]

Analysis of policies as Chancellor

• Growth: Brown states that his Chancellorship had seen the longest period of sustained economic growth in the history of the United Kingdom. The history of the United Kingdom — British history — as an unified Sovereign state begins with the legistlative union between the kingdoms of England ^[47][48] The details in Brown's growth figures have been challenged. ^[49][50]
• Anti-poverty: The Centre for Policy Studies found that the poorest fifth of households, which accounted for 6. The Centre for Policy Studies (CPS is a British Policy studies think tank whose goal is to promote coherent and practical public policy to roll back the 8% of all taxes in 1996–7, accounted for 6. 9% of all taxes paid in 2004-5. Meanwhile, their share of state benefit payouts dropped from 28. 1% to 27. 1% over the same period. ^[51]
• Tax: According to the OECD UK taxation has increased from a 39. 3% share of gross domestic product in 1997 to 42. 4% in 2006, going to a higher level than Germany. ^[52] This increase has mainly been attributed to active government policy, and not simply to the growing economy.
• Pensions: Conservatives have accused Brown of imposing "stealth taxes". Stealth Tax is a term used for a Tax levied in such a way that is largely unnoticed or not recognized as a tax. A commonly reported example resulted in 1997 from a technical change in the way corporation tax is collected, the indirect effect of which was for the dividends on stock investments held within pensions to be taxed, thus lowering pension returns and contributing to the demise of some pension funds. Corporate tax refers to a Tax levied by various jurisdictions on the Profits made by companies or associations. Dividends are payments made by a Corporation to its Shareholder members Software for Fixed assets management and Stock control developed in 2004. A pension is a steady income given to a person upon Retirement, typically in the form of a guaranteed annuity. ^[53] The Treasury contend that this tax change was crucial to long-term economic growth.

Other policy stances as Chancellor

• Higher education: In 2000, Brown started a political row about higher education (referred to as the Laura Spence Affair) when he accused the University of Oxford of elitism in its admissions procedures, describing its decision not to offer a place to state school pupil Laura Spence as "absolutely outrageous". Higher education is Education that is provided by universities, vocational universities, Community colleges Liberal arts colleges The Laura Spence Affair was a British political controversy in 2000, ignited after the failure of high-flying State school pupil Laura Spence to secure The University of Oxford (informally "Oxford University" or simply "Oxford" located in the city of Oxford, Oxfordshire, England is the Elitism is the belief or attitude that those individuals who are considered members of the Elite &mdash a select group of people with outstanding personal abilities intellect State school is an expression used in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom to distinguish schools provided by the government from privately ^[54] Lord Jenkins, then Oxford Chancellor, said "nearly every fact he used was false. Roy Harris Jenkins Baron Jenkins of Hillhead OM PC ( 11 November 1920 &ndash 5 January 2003) was a British A Chancellor is the head of a University. Other titles are sometimes used such as President or Rector. "^[55]
• Anti-racism and popular culture: During a diplomatic visit to India in January 2007, Brown responded to questions concerning perceived racism and bullying against Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty on the British reality TV show Celebrity Big Brother saying, "There is a lot of support for Shilpa. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country List of racism-related topics|Racism by country Racism, by its simplest definition is the belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that Bullying is the act of intentionally causing harm to others through verbal Harassment, physical Assault, or other more subtle methods of Coercion Bollywood (बॉलीवूड بالی وڈ is the informal term popularly used for the Mumbai -based Hindi-language Film industry in India Shilpa Shetty ( Tulu: ಶಿಲ್ಪ ಶೆಟ್ಟಿ born 8 June 1975) is an Indian film actress and model. Reality television is a genre of Television programming which presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations documents actual events and usually features ordinary Celebrity Big Brother 2007 was the highly controversial fifth series of the United Kingdom Reality television series Celebrity Big Brother It is pretty clear we are getting the message across. Britain is a nation of tolerance and fairness. "^[56] He later said the debate showed Britain wanted to be "defined by being a tolerant, fair and decent country. "^[57]

Run up to succeeding Blair

Main articles Labour Party leadership election, 2007 and Timeline for the Labour Party leadership elections, 2007

In October 2004 Tony Blair announced he would not lead the party into a fourth general election, but would serve a full third term. The 2007 Labour Party Leadership Election was formally triggered on 10 May 2007 by the resignation of Tony Blair, Labour Leader since The timeline for the British Labour Party leadership elections of 2007 is a timeline of events relating to the final years of Tony Blair 's tenure as leader of the Anthony Charles Lynton "Tony" Blair (born 6 May 1953 is a British Politician who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to A general election is an Election in which all or most members of a given political body are up for election ^[58] Political controversy over the relationship between Brown and Blair continued up to and beyond the 2005 election, which Labour won with a reduced parliamentary majority and reduced vote share. Results Overview For events leading up to the date of the election see article Pre-election day events of the United Kingdom general The two campaigned together but the British media remained—and remains—full of reports on their mutual acrimony.

Blair, under pressure from within his own party, announced on 7 September 2006 that he would step down within a year. Events 1251 BC - A Solar eclipse on this date might mark the birth of legendary Heracles at Thebes Greece. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ^[59] Brown was the clear favourite to succeed Blair for several years with experts and the bookmakers; he was the only candidate spoken of seriously in Westminster. The 2007 Labour Party Leadership Election was formally triggered on 10 May 2007 by the resignation of Tony Blair, Labour Leader since Appearances and news coverage leading up to the handover were interpreted as preparing the ground for Brown to become Prime Minister, in part by creating the impression of a statesman with a vision for leadership and global change. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the political leader of the United Kingdom Climate change is any long-term significant change in the “average weather” that a given region experiences

Brown is the first prime minister from a Scottish constituency since the Conservative/SUP Sir Alec Douglas-Home in 1964. The Conservative Party (officially the Conservative and Unionist Party) is a Political party in the United Kingdom. The Unionist Party, referred to as the Scottish Unionist Party outside of Scotland itself was the main centre right political party in Scotland between 1912 Alexander Frederick Douglas-Home Baron Home of the Hirsel, KT, PC (2 July 1903 - 9 October 1995 14th Earl of Home from 1951 to 1963 was a British He is also one of only four prime ministers who attended a university other than Oxford or Cambridge, along with the Earl of Bute (Leiden), Lord John Russell (Edinburgh) and Neville Chamberlain (Mason Science College, later Birmingham). The University of Oxford (informally "Oxford University" or simply "Oxford" located in the city of Oxford, Oxfordshire, England is the The University of Cambridge (often Cambridge University) located in Cambridge, England, is the second-oldest university in the John Stuart 3rd Earl of Bute, KG, PC (25 May 1713 &ndash 10 March 1792 styled Lord Mount Stuart before 1723 was a Scottish nobleman Leiden University (Universiteit Leiden located in the city of Leiden, is the oldest University in The Netherlands. John Russell 1st Earl Russell, KG, GCMG, PC (18 August 1792 &ndash 28 May 1878 known as Lord John Russell before 1861 was an English The University of Edinburgh (Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann founded in 1582 is a renowned centre for teaching and research in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. Arthur Neville Chamberlain (18 March 1869 &ndash 9 November 1940 was a British Conservative Politician and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Mason Science College was founded by Josiah Mason in 1875 the buildings of which were opened in Edmund Street, Birmingham, England on 1 The University of Birmingham (informally Birmingham University) is a British red brick University located in the city of Birmingham ^[60]

On 9 September 2006 Charles Clarke said in an interview that the Chancellor had "psychological" issues he must confront and accused him of being a "control freak" and "totally uncollegiate". Events 1000 - Battle of Svolder, Viking Age. 1379 - Treaty of Neuberg, splitting the Austrian Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Charles Rodway Clarke (born 21 September 1950 is a British Labour Party Politician. In Psychology -related slang control freak is a derogatory term for a person who attempts to dictate how everything around them is done Brown was also "deluded", Clarke said, to think Blair can and should anoint him as his successor now. ^[61] Environment Secretary David Miliband stressed his support for Brown. David Wright Miliband ^[62]

From January 2007 the media reported Brown had now "dropped any pretence of not wanting, or expecting, to move into Number 10 in the next few months"—although he and his family will likely use the more spacious 11 Downing Street. ^[63] This enabled Brown to signal the most significant priorities for his agenda as Prime Minister; speaking at a Fabian Society conference on 'The Next Decade' in January 2007, he stressed education, international development, narrowing inequalities (to pursue 'equality of opportunity and fairness of outcome'), renewing Britishness, restoring trust in politics, and winning hearts and minds in the war on terror as key priorities. The Fabian Society is a British Intellectual Socialist movement whose purpose is to advance the principles of Social democracy via Gradualist ^[64]

In March 2007 Brown's character was attacked by Lord Turnbull who worked for Brown as Permanent Secretary at the Treasury from 1998 to 2002. Andrew Turnbull Baron Turnbull, KCB, CVO (born 21 January 1945) was the head of the British Civil Service and Cabinet Secretary The Permanent Secretary, in most departments officially titled the Permanent Under-Secretary of State (although the full title is rarely used is the most senior civil Turnbull accused Brown of running the Treasury with "Stalinist ruthlessness" and treating Cabinet colleagues with "more or less complete contempt". ^[65] This was especially picked-up on by the British media as the comments were made on the eve of Brown's budget report.

Brown as Prime Minister

See also Premiership of Gordon Brown

Brown ceased to be Chancellor and, upon the approval of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on 27 June 2007. See also Gordon Brown The Premiership of Gordon Brown began on 27 June 2007 when Brown accepted the Queen's invitation to form a government replacing For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II Events 1358 - Republic of Dubrovnik is founded 1709 - Peter the Great defeats Charles XII of Sweden Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ^[4] Like all modern Prime Ministers, Brown concurrently serves as the First Lord of the Treasury and the Minister for the Civil Service, and is a member of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom and, hence, also a Privy Counsellor. The First Lord of the Treasury is the head of the commission exercising the ancient office of Lord High Treasurer in the United Kingdom, usually but not In British government, the Minister for the Civil Service is the head of the Her Majesty's Civil Service, the role of which is to assist the governments of the In the Politics of the United Kingdom, the Cabinet is a formal body composed of the most senior government ministers chosen by the Prime Minister Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council is a body of advisors to the British Sovereign. He is also Leader of the Labour Party and Member of Parliament for the constituency of Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath. The Labour Party is a Political party in the United Kingdom. Founded at the start of the 20th century it has been since the 1920s the principal party of the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath is a County constituency representing the areas around the towns of Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, in Fife, Scotland He is the sixth of the twelve post-war Prime Ministers to be appointed to the role without having won a general election. ^[66]

Policies

Brown has proposed moving some traditional prime ministerial powers conferred by royal prerogative to the realm of Parliament, such as the power to declare war and approve appointments to senior positions. The Royal Prerogative is a body of customary authority privilege and immunity recognised in Common law and sometimes in Civil law jurisdictions possessing a monarchy Brown wants Parliament to gain the right to ratify treaties and have more oversight into the intelligence services. He has also proposed moving some powers from Parliament to citizens, including the right to form "citizens' juries", easily petition Parliament for new laws, and rally outside Westminster. He has asserted that the attorney general should not have the right to decide whether to prosecute in individual cases, such as in the loans for peerages scandal. Cash for Honours (also Cash for Peerages, Loans for Honours or Loans for Peerages) is the name given by some in the media to a political ^[67]

During his Labour leadership campaign, Brown proposed some policy initiatives, suggesting that a Brown-led government would introduce the following:^[68][69]

• End to corruption: Following the cash for honours scandal, Brown emphasised cracking down on corruption. Cash for Honours (also Cash for Peerages, Loans for Honours or Loans for Peerages) is the name given by some in the media to a political This has led to a belief that Brown will introduce a new ministerial code which sets out clear standards of behaviour for ministers.
• Constitutional reform: Brown has not stated whether he proposes a U. S. -style written constitution—something the UK has never had—or a looser bill of rights. A constitution is a system for government often Codified as a written document that establishes the rules and principles of an autonomous political entity He said in a speech when announcing his bid that he wants a “better constitution” that is “clear about the rights and responsibilities of being a citizen in Britain today”. He plans to set up an all-party convention to look at new powers for Parliament. This convention may also look at rebalancing powers between Whitehall and local government. Whitehall is a road in Westminster in London, England. It is the main artery running north from Parliament Square, towards traditional Brown has said he will give Parliament the final say on whether British troops are sent into action in future.
• Housing: House planning restrictions are likely to be relaxed. Brown said he wants to release more land and ease access to ownership with shared equity schemes. He backed a proposal to build new eco-towns, each housing between 10,000 and 20,000 homeowners—up to 100,000 new homes in total. Eco-towns are a proposed programme of exemplar sustainable New towns to be built in England
• Health: Brown intends to have doctors' surgeries open at the weekends, and GPs on call in the evenings. Doctors were given the right of opting out of out-of-hours care two years ago, under a controversial pay deal, signed by then-Health Secretary John Reid, which awarded them a 22% pay rise in 2006. Dr John Reid (born 8 May 1947 is a British Politician who was formerly the Home Secretary and also filled several other cabinet positions including Brown stated that the NHS was his "top priority", yet he had just cut the capital budget of the English NHS from £6. 2bn to £4. 2bn. ^[70]

The Brown government was involved in controversy in April 2008 over the decision to scrap the 10p Income Tax Band and he was forced into making concessions. In the local elections on 1 May 2008, Labour suffered their worst results in 40 years finishing in third place with a projected 24% share of the national vote. Events 305 - Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman Emperor. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common ^[71]

Foreign policy

Brown remains committed to the Iraq War, but said in a speech in June 2007 that he would "learn the lessons" from the mistakes made in Iraq. Nairobi (naɪˈroʊbɪ is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The Republic of Kenya is a country in East Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia to the north Somalia to the northeast Tanzania to the south The Iraq War, also known as the Second Gulf War, the Occupation of Iraq, or the War in Iraq, is an ongoing Military campaign ^[72]

Brown made his first overseas trip as Prime Minister not to Washington, but to Berlin, and spoke to German Chancellor Angela Merkel. (ˈaŋɡela doʁoˈteːa ˈmɛɐ̯kəl (born Angela Dorothea Kasner, 17 July 1954 in Hamburg, West Germany) is the Chancellor of Germany.

In a speech given to the Labour Friends of Israel in April 2007, Brown stated:

Many of you know my interest in Israel and in the Jewish community has been long-standing…My father was the chairman of the Church of Scotland's Israel Committee. Labour Friends of Israel is a UK Parliament -based Lobby group promoting support within the British Labour Party for a strong bilateral relationship between For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ The Church of Scotland (Eaglais na h-Alba known informally by its Scots language name The Kirk, is the National church of Scotland. Not only as I've described to some of you before did he make visits on almost two occasions a year for 20 years to Israel—but because of that, although Fife, where I grew up, was a long way from Israel with no TV pictures to link us together—I had a very clear view from household slides and projectors about the history of Israel, about the trials and tribulations of the Jewish people, about the enormous suffering and loss during the Holocaust, as well as the extraordinary struggle that he described to me of people to create this magnificent homeland. Fife ( Gaelic: Fìobha) is a Council area of Scotland, situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland The Holocaust (from the Greek el ''ὁλόκαυστον'' (el-Latn holókauston holos, "completely" and kaustos, "burnt" also known as ^[73]

Brown said in a letter published March 17, 2008 that the United Kingdom will hold an inquiry into the Iraq war -- but not soon. Events 45 BC - In his last victory Julius Caesar defeats the Pompeian forces of Titus Labienus and Pompey the Younger 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The Iraq War, also known as the Second Gulf War, the Occupation of Iraq, or the War in Iraq, is an ongoing Military campaign ^[74] British Prime Minister Gordon Brown will skip the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics, on August 8, 2008 in Beijing, it was reported on April 9, 2008. Events 1220 - Sweden is defeated by Estonian tribes in the Battle of Lihula. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 193 - Septimius Severus is proclaimed Roman Emperor by the army in Illyricum (in the Balkans) 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common But, he will not boycotting the Olympics and will attend the closing ceremony, on August 24, 2008. Events 49 BC - Julius Caesar 's General Gaius Scribonius Curio is defeated in the Second Battle of the Bagradas River 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Brown has been under intense pressure from human rights campaigners to send a message to China, concerning the 2008 Tibetan unrest. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National The 2008 Tibetan unrest, also known as the 3•14 Riots in China began with demonstrations on March 10, 2008 ( Tibetan Uprising Day But his decision not to attend the opening ceremony is not an act of protest, the decision was made weeks ago and was not a stand on principle. ^[75]

Diplomatic relationship with the U. S.

There has been widespread speculation on the nature of the UK's relationship with the United States under Brown's government. George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A Washington, D.C. speech by Brown's close aide Douglas Alexander was widely reported as both a policy shift and a message to the U. Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D Douglas Garven Alexander (born 26 October 1967 is a British politician who is Secretary of State for International Development. S. :^[76] "In the 21st century, strength should be measured on what we can build together…we need to demonstrate by our deeds, words and our actions that we are internationalist, not isolationist, multilateralist, not unilateralist, active and not passive, and driven by core values, consistently applied, not special interests. For the Marxist concept of internationalism see Proletarian internationalism. Isolationism is a Foreign policy which combines a non-interventionist military policy and a political policy of Economic nationalism ( Protectionism Multilateralism is a term in International relations that refers to multiple countries working in concert on a given issue Unilateralism ("one+side -ism " is any doctrine or agenda that supports one-sided action "

However Downing Street's spokesman strongly denied the suggestion that Alexander was trying to distance Britain from U.S. foreign policy and show that Britain would not necessarily, in Tony Blair's words, stand "shoulder to shoulder" with George W. Bush over future military interventions:^[77] "I thought the interpretation that was put on Douglas Alexander's words was quite extraordinary. The foreign policy of the United States is highly influential on the world stage as it is a Superpower. Anthony Charles Lynton "Tony" Blair (born 6 May 1953 is a British Politician who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. Peacekeeping, as defined by the United Nations, is "a way to help countries torn by conflict create conditions for sustainable peace To interpret this as saying anything at all about our relationship with the U. S. is nonsense. "

Brown personally clarified his position;^[78] "We will not allow people to separate us from the United States of America in dealing with the common challenges that we face around the world. I think people have got to remember that the relationship between Britain and America and between a British prime minister and an American president is built on the things that we share, the same enduring values about the importance of liberty, opportunity, the dignity of the individual. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the political leader of the United Kingdom Liberty, the freedom to act or believe without being stopped by unnecessary force I will continue to work, as Tony Blair did, very closely with the American administration. The federal government of the United States is the central United States Governmental body established by the United States Constitution. "

Married life and family

Brown's early girlfriends included the journalist Sheena Macdonald, Marion Caldwell^[22] and Princess Margarita, the eldest daughter of exiled King Michael of Romania. Princess Margarita of Romania ( Margareta in the Romanian language) Princess of Hohenzollern (styled Crown Princess of Romania) (b Michael King of the Romanians, Prince of Hohenzollern (born October 25, 1921) reigned as King of the Romanians (Maiestatea She has said about their relationship: "It was a very solid and romantic story. I never stopped loving him but one day it didn't seem right any more, it was politics, politics, politics, and I needed nurturing. "^[79]

Brown married Sarah Macaulay in a private ceremony at his home in North Queensferry, Fife, on 3 August 2000. Sarah Brown (née Macaulay; born 31 October 1963 is the wife of Gordon Brown, the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. North Queensferry is a village in Fife, Scotland, on the Firth of Forth, between the Forth Bridge and the Forth Road Bridge, Events 8 - Roman Empire General Tiberius defeats Dalmatians on the river Bathinus. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ^[80] On 28 December 2001, a daughter, Jennifer Jane, was born prematurely and died on 8 January 2002. Events 1065 - Westminster Abbey is Consecrated. 1308 - The reign of Emperor Hanazono, Emperor of Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Events 871 - Battle of Ashdown - Ethelred of Wessex defeats a Danish invasion army See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. Gordon Brown commented at the time that their recent experiences had changed him and his wife:

I don't think we'll be the same again, but it has made us think of what's important. It has made us think that you've got to use your time properly. It's made us more determined. Things that we feel are right we have got to achieve, we have got to do that. Jennifer is an inspiration to us. ^[81]

They have two children, John and James Fraser. In November 2006, James Fraser was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis (also known as CF, mucoviscoidosis, or mucoviscidosis) is a hereditary disease affecting the exocrine (mucus glands of the lungs ^[82]

Sarah Brown keeps a low profile, rarely making official appearances either with or without her husband, in contrast to Cherie Blair. Cherie Blair (born 23 September 1954 known professionally as Cherie Booth QC, is an English Barrister. She is inevitably much sought after to give interviews, although is reluctant to do so. ^[83] However, she is patron of several charities, and has written articles for national newspapers related to this. ^[84]

Of his two brothers, John Brown is Head of Public Relations in the Glasgow City Council. Glasgow (ˈglæzgoʊ is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom ^[85] His brother Andrew Brown has been Head of Media Relations in the UK for the French-owned utility company EDF Energy since 2004. EDF Energy is the trading name of EDF Energy Customers plc, an energy company that provides Gas and Electricity to homes throughout the United He was previously director of media strategy at the world's largest public relations firm Weber Shandwick from June 2003 to 2004. Public relations (PR is the practice of managing the flow of Information between an Organization and its Publics Public relations - often referred Weber Shandwick is the world's largest global Public relations firm Previously he was editor of the Channel 4 political programme Powerhouse from 1996 to 2003, and worked at the BBC from the late 1970s to early 1980s. Channel 4 is a public-service Television and Radio broadcaster in the United Kingdom centred around a television channel of the same name which began ^[86]

Controversies

Links with nuclear power industry

Another controversial issue was the link between Brown's brother Andrew and one of the main nuclear lobbyists, EDF Energy,^[87] given the finding that the government did not carry a proper public consultation on the use of nuclear power in its 2006 Energy Review. EDF Energy is the trading name of EDF Energy Customers plc, an energy company that provides Gas and Electricity to homes throughout the United As of 2006 the United Kingdom operates 24 Nuclear reactors generating one-fifth of its electricity (19 ^[88] Attention has also been drawn to the fact^[89] that the father-in-law of Brown's closest adviser Ed Balls, Tony Cooper (father of the Labour minister Yvette Cooper) has close links with the nuclear industry. A father-in-law is a spouse's Father. See also Affinity (law Marriage Mother-in-law Edward Michael "Ed" Balls (born 25 February 1967) is a British politician, and Labour and Co-operative Member of Parliament Yvette Cooper (born 20 March 1969 is a British Politician. She is the Labour Member of Parliament for Pontefract and Castleford and Cooper was described as an "articulate, persuasive and well-informed advocate of nuclear power over the last ten years" by the Nuclear Industry Association on his appointment as Chairman of the British Nuclear Industry Forum in June 2002. He is also a member of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and was appointed to the Energy Advisory Panel by the previous Conservative administration. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA is a Non-departmental public body of the United Kingdom formed by the Energy Act 2004. ^[90]

The "non-election"

Gordon Brown caused controversy during September and early October 2007 by letting speculation continue on whether he would call a snap general election. A snap election is an election called earlier than scheduled Generally it refers to an election called when no one expects it usually to capitalize on a unique electoral opportunity or Following David Cameron's 'off the cuff' speech and an opinion poll showing Labour 6% behind the Conservative Party in key marginal seats, he finally announced that there would be no election in the near future and seemed to rule out an election in 2008. This is a list of United Kingdom general elections since the first in 1802 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common ^[91] This has been taken by some in the media and opposition as a sign of weakness.

Military covenant

November 2007 has seen Gordon Brown face intense criticism of not adhering to the 'military covenant', a convention within British politics stating that in exchange for them putting their lives at risk for the sake of national security, the armed forces should in turn be suitably looked after by the government. The military covenant is a term recently used mainly by the British Army other British armed forces and the media in relation to the question of adequate safeguards rewards and compensation ^[92] Criticism has come from several former Chiefs of Defence, including General Lord Guthrie, First Sea Lord Lord Boyce, Air Chief Marshal Lord Craig, Field Marshal Lord Bramall and Field Marshal Lord Inge. General is currently the highest peace-time rank in the British Army and Royal Marines. General Charles Ronald Llewelyn Guthrie Baron Guthrie of Craigiebank, GCB, LVO, OBE, DL (born 17 November 1938 The First Sea Lord is the professional head of the Royal Navy and the whole Naval Service. Admiral Michael Cecil Boyce Baron Boyce, GCB, OBE, DL (born 2 April 1943) is a Cross bench member of the British Air Chief Marshal ( Air Chf Mshl or ACM) is a senior Air officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force (RAF Marshal of the Royal Air Force David Brownrigg Craig Baron Craig of Radley, GCB, OBE (born 17 September 1929 is a retired Royal Air Force Please see " Field Marshal " for other countries which use this rank Field Marshal is the highest military rank of the United Kingdom Field Marshal Edwin Noel Westby Bramall Baron Bramall KG, GCB, OBE, MC, JP (born 18 December 1923 Please see " Field Marshal " for other countries which use this rank Field Marshal is the highest military rank of the United Kingdom Field Marshal Peter Anthony Inge Baron Inge KG, GCB, PC, DL (born 5 August 1935) was the Chief of the ^[93][94] Poor housing, lack of equipment and adequate healthcare provisions are some of the major issues Brown has been accused of neglecting.

Europe

Brown has continued to be dogged by controversy about not holding a referendum on the EU Treaty of Lisbon, despite a Labour manifesto pledge to give the British public a referendum on the original EU Constitution. The Treaty of Lisbon (also known as the Reform Treaty) is a Treaty designed to streamline the workings of the European Union (EU with amendments to the The Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe (TCE commonly referred to as the European Constitution, was an unimplemented international Treaty intended Brown has argued that the Treaty significantly differs from the Constitution, and as such does not require a referendum. This approach has seen Brown come under heavy fire from opponents on both sides of the House and in the press. ^[95] Brown has responded with plans for a lengthy debate on the topic, stating that he believes the issue to be too complex for the British people to decide. ^[96] This has led to him being labelled patronising and out of touch with popular opinion. Brown's stubbornness on the issue may largely be due to the fact that he thinks he would lose a referendum on account of widespread Euroscepticism in the United Kingdom. Euroscepticism in the United Kingdom (UK is a very controversial issue and has been a significant element in British politics since the inception of the European

Depictions of Brown in popular culture

Brown's reputed dourness while holding a high public office comes across in the way he is portrayed on both the screen—where he was played by David Morrissey in the Stephen Frears directed TV movie The Deal and by Peter Mullen in the TV movie The Trial of Tony Blair—and stage: he features as a character in the 2007 Musical TONY! The Blair Musical, written by Chris Bush and Ian McCluskey. David Morrissey (born 21 June, 1964) is an award-winning English Actor. Stephen Arthur Frears (born 20 June 1941) is a two-time Oscar -nominated English film director The Deal is a 2003 British Television film directed by Stephen Frears from a script by Peter Morgan, based in part upon The Rivals Peter Mullan (born October 21 1956) is a Scottish actor and internationally acclaimed film maker who has been appearing in films since 1990 The Trial of Tony Blair is a satirical drama based around the notion that the former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair is to TONY! The Blair Musical is a satirical comedy musical written in 2007 by Chris Bush, director of White Rose Theatre with music composed by Ian McCluskey Chris Bush (Born July 3rd 1986 in Sheffield, England) is an award winning British Playwright and Artistic Director of White Rose Theatre During its run in York, he was played by Bush, and then by Michael Slater at the 2007 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and subsequently at the Pleasance Theatre in Islington, London. York ( is an historic Walled city sited at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The Edinburgh Fringe (officially the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, commonly just The Fringe) is the world’s largest Arts festival. Islington is the central district of the London Borough of Islington. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Also drawing on this perception, radio presenter Nick Abbot plays a sound effect of Darth Vader because of the way Gordon Brown's jaw appears to detach as he breathes in. Nick Abbot is a British radio presenter born 22 August, 1960. Anakin Skywalker Darth Vader is a fictional character in George Lucas ' Science fiction saga Star Wars.

In keeping with its tradition of having a comic strip for every Prime Minister, Private Eye features a comic strip, The Broonites (itself a parody of The Broons), parodying Brown's government. Private Eye is a fortnightly British satirical Magazine, edited by Ian Hislop. The Broons is a comic strip within The Sunday Post newspaper which is published by D The Eye has also started a column titled "Prime Ministerial Decree", a parody of statements that would be issued by Communist governments in the former Eastern Bloc. Communism is a Socioeconomic structure that promotes the establishment of an egalitarian, classless, stateless Society based During the Cold War, the term Communist Bloc (or Soviet Bloc) was used to refer to the Soviet Union and countries it either controlled or that were This is in reference to a criticism of Brown having "Stalinist tendencies". Stalinism is the political regime named after Joseph Stalin, leader of the Soviet Union from 1929–1953

The Blair-Brown rivalry has also been the subject of substantial cultural attention, and indeed the television and stage productions mentioned above touch on it. Furthermore, the Franz Ferdinand song "You're the Reason I'm Leaving" (from You Could Have It So Much Better) is believed to be at least partially about the end of the Blair-Brown rivalry, as told from Blair's perspective. Franz Ferdinand is a rock band that formed in Glasgow, Scotland in 2001 You Could Have It So Much Better is the second Studio album by Glaswegian indie Rock band Franz Ferdinand that was The song contains the lyric: I'd no idea that in four years I'd be hanging from a beam behind the door of number ten, singing "fare thee well, I am leaving, yes I leave it all to you. "

In the movie The Queen, when Tony Blair (played by Michael Sheen) is talking with Alastair Campbell (played by Mark Bazeley) about the result of the meeting of Princess Diana's funeral and the press' response to Tony Blair's speech about Diana's death, there is a call from someone named Gordon, and Tony Blair told his secretary to put him on hold. The Queen Drama film directed by Stephen Frears, Peter Morgan and starring Dame Helen Mirren in the title role Queen Anthony Charles Lynton "Tony" Blair (born 6 May 1953 is a British Politician who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to Michael Sheen (born 5 February 1969) is a BAFTA and Laurence Olivier Award - nominated Welsh Actor perhaps best known for This is about the political associate of Tony Blair for others see Alistair Campbell (disambiguation. ^[97] This is a reference to Gordon Brown.

Gordon Brown was depicted in Season 12 of South Park sitting at a table of world leaders opposite Nicolas Sarkozy in the episode "Canada on Strike". South Park is an animated American television comedy series created and written by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for Comedy Central Nicolas Sarkozy (pronounced, " Canada On Strike! " is episode 1204 (#171 of the animated series South Park. He was portrayed speaking in an English accent, perhaps a reflection of the mellowing his Scottish accent has received over the years. However, the accuracy of the impersonation is still under question. ^[98].

Brown makes an appearance in the first issue of Marvel Comics' Captain Britain and MI: 13, overseeing Britain's response to the Skrull invasion of Earth. Marvel Comics is an American comic book company owned by Marvel Publishing Inc The Skrulls are a Fictional race of extraterrestrial shapeshifters that appear in Publications by Marvel Comics. ^{[99][100][101]}

See also

Labour politics:

• Blair-Brown deal

Electoral history:

• UK general elections: 1983, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2001, 2005, subsequent election
• Labour Party leadership election, 2007

Current administration:

• List of British Prime Ministers by nicknames
• Cabinet of the United Kingdom

Brown as Chancellor

• Chancellorship of Gordon Brown

Notes

References

Works

• Brown, Gordon (2007). The Daily Mail is a British newspaper currently published in a tabloid format The Sunday Mail is a Scottish Tabloid Newspaper published every Sunday Britain's Everyday Heroes. Britain's Everyday Heroes is a book by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown about thirty-three ordinary people whose willing commitment to a cause Mainstream Publishing. Mainstream Publishing is a publishing company in Edinburgh, Scotland, founded in 1978 ISBN 978-1-8459-6307-1.  
• Brown, Gordon (2007). Courage: Eight Portraits. Courage Eight Portraits is a Non-fiction book by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Bloomsbury. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc is an independent London -based publishing house known for literary Novels It was named Publisher of the Year in 1999 and ISBN 978-0-7475-6532-1.  
• Brown, Gordon (2006). in Wilf Stevenson: Speeches 1997-2006. Bloomsbury. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc is an independent London -based publishing house known for literary Novels It was named Publisher of the Year in 1999 and ISBN 978-0-7475-8837-5.  
• Brown, Gordon (ed. ); Wright, Tony (ed. ) (1995). Values, Visions and Voices: An Anthology of Socialism. Mainstream Publishing. Mainstream Publishing is a publishing company in Edinburgh, Scotland, founded in 1978 ISBN 978-1-85158-731-5.  
• Brown, Gordon (1989). Where There's Greed: Margaret Thatcher and the Betrayal of Britain's Future. Mainstream Publishing. Mainstream Publishing is a publishing company in Edinburgh, Scotland, founded in 1978 ISBN 978-1-85158-228-0.  
• Brown, Gordon (ed. ); Cook, Robin (ed. Robert Finlayson Cook (28 February 1946 &ndash 6 August 2005 better known as " Robin Cook " was a Politician in the British Labour ) (1987). Scotland: The Real Divide. Mainstream Publishing. Mainstream Publishing is a publishing company in Edinburgh, Scotland, founded in 1978 ISBN 978-0-906391-18-1.  
• Brown, Gordon (1986). Maxton: A Biography. Mainstream Publishing. Mainstream Publishing is a publishing company in Edinburgh, Scotland, founded in 1978 ISBN 978-1-85158-042-2.  

Biographies

• Bower, Tom (2003). Tom Bower (born 28 September 1946) is a British writer A former Panorama reporter his books include highly critical unauthorised Gordon Brown. HarperCollins. HarperCollins is a Publishing company owned by News Corporation. ISBN 978-0-00-717540-6.  
• Jefferys, Kevin (2002). Labour forces from Ernie Bevin to Gordon Brown. IB Taurus Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4175-1633-9.  
• Keegan, William (2003). The Prudence of Mr. Gordon Brown. Wiley. ISBN 978-0-470-84697-1.  
• Rosen, Greg (ed. ) (2002). Dictionary of Labour Biography. Methuen. ISBN 978-1-902301-18-1.  
• Naughtie, James (2001). James (" Jim " Naughtie (born 9 August 1952) is a Scottish journalist and radio news presenter for the BBC The Rivals: The Intimate Story of a Political Marriage. Fourth Estate. ISBN 978-1-84115-473-2.  
• Peston, Robert (2005). Robert Peston (born 25 April 1960) is a British journalist Since February 2006 he has been the Business Editor for BBC News. Brown's Britain: How Gordon Runs the Show. Short Books. ISBN 978-1-904095-67-5.  
• Routledge, Paul (1998). Gordon Brown: The Biography. Simon & Schuster. Simon & Schuster Inc, a division of CBS Corporation, is a Publisher founded in New York in 1924 by Richard L ISBN 978-0-684-81954-9.  

Others

• Pym, Hugh; Kochan, Nick (1998). Hugh Pym (born 1959) is a British Journalist and Author. Early life Pym was educated at Marlborough College and the Gordon Brown the First Year in Power. Bloomsbury. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc is an independent London -based publishing house known for literary Novels It was named Publisher of the Year in 1999 and ISBN 978-0-7475-3701-4.  
• Rawnsley, Andrew (2001). Andrew Nicholas James Rawnsley (born January 5, 1962) is a British political journalist and broadcaster Servants of the people:The inside story of New Labour. Penguin Books. Penguin Books is a British Publisher founded in 1935 by Allen Lane. ISBN 978-0-14-027850-7.  
• Rosen, Greg (2005). Old Labour to New:The Dreams that Inspired, the Battles that Divided. Politicos Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84275-045-2.  
• Routledge, Paul (2003). Bumper Book of British Lefties. Politicos Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84275-064-3.  

External links

• 10 Downing Street - Prime Minister: The Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP
• Audio and Transcript of Gordon Brown’s First Speech as Labour Party Leader 24 June 2007
• Gordon Brown - full access article in Encyclopaedia Britannica
• Guardian Unlimited Politics - Special Report: Gordon Brown
• TheyWorkForYou.com - Gordon Brown
• BBC News - Gordon Brown in Africa January 2005 trip about his 'Marshall plan for Africa'
• Gordon Brown at the Open Directory Project
• Observer: How Gordon Brown become the most powerful Chancellor in history
• Transcript of Gordon Brown's acceptance speech Triple A accessible version
• John Newsinger: Brown's Journey from Reformism to Neoliberalism, International Socialism — gives a left wing perspective on Gordon Brown's political evolution
• Gordon Brown news and information

Political offices
Preceded by John Smith	Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer 1992 – 1997	Succeeded by Kenneth Clarke
Preceded by Kenneth Clarke	Chancellor of the Exchequer 1997 – 2007	Succeeded by Alistair Darling
Preceded by Tony Blair	Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 2007 – present	Incumbent
	Minister for the Civil Service 2007 – present
	First Lord of the Treasury 2007 – present
Parliament of the United Kingdom
New constituency	Member of Parliament for Dunfermline East 1983 – 2005	Constituency abolished
	Member of Parliament for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath 2005 – present	Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by Tony Blair	Leader of the British Labour Party 2007 – present	Incumbent
Academic offices
Preceded by Jonathon W. G. Wills	Rector of the University of Edinburgh 1973 – 1976	Succeeded by Magnús Magnússon
Order of precedence in England and Wales
Preceded by The Rt Hon Jack Straw MP Lord Chancellor	Gentlemen Prime Minister	Succeeded by The Rt Hon Michael Martin MP Speaker of the House of Commons
Order of precedence Scotland & Northern Ireland
Preceded by The Most Rev and Rt Hon John Sentamu Archbishop of York	Gentlemen Prime Minister	Succeeded by The Rt Hon Michael Martin MP Speaker of the House of Commons

The Encyclopædia Britannica is a general English-language encyclopaedia published by Encyclopædia Britannica Inc The Open Directory Project ( ODP) also known as dmoz (from directory International Socialism (ISJ is a Quarterly Journal of Socialist Theory published by the Socialist Workers Party (Britain John Smith QC (13 September 1938&ndash12 May 1994 was a Scottish Politician who served as leader of the Labour Party from July 1992 until his The Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer in the British Parliamentary system is the member of the Shadow Cabinet who is responsible for shadowing the Chancellor of the Exchequer Kenneth Harry "Ken" Clarke QC MP (born 2 July 1940) is a British Politician. Kenneth Harry "Ken" Clarke QC MP (born 2 July 1940) is a British Politician. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the title held by the British Cabinet minister who is responsible for all Economic and Financial Alistair Maclean Darling (born 28 November 1953 is a British Politician and Chancellor of the Exchequer since 28 June 2007 Anthony Charles Lynton "Tony" Blair (born 6 May 1953 is a British Politician who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the political leader of the United Kingdom In British government, the Minister for the Civil Service is the head of the Her Majesty's Civil Service, the role of which is to assist the governments of the The First Lord of the Treasury is the head of the commission exercising the ancient office of Lord High Treasurer in the United Kingdom, usually but not The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom and British overseas territories A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a Parliament. Dunfermline East was a Burgh constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Results The Conservatives won with a majority of 144 seats|} Total votes cast 30661309 Results Overview For events leading up to the date of the election see article Pre-election day events of the United Kingdom general A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a Parliament. Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath is a County constituency representing the areas around the towns of Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, in Fife, Scotland Results Overview For events leading up to the date of the election see article Pre-election day events of the United Kingdom general Anthony Charles Lynton "Tony" Blair (born 6 May 1953 is a British Politician who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to The Labour Party is a Political party in the United Kingdom. Founded at the start of the 20th century it has been since the 1920s the principal party of the Jonathon WG Wills, is a Scottish Journalist. He is most famous as involved in a 1997 Lawsuit brought against him as Publisher of The The Lord Rector of the University of Edinburgh is elected every three years by the students and staff at the University of Edinburgh. Magnús Magnússon KBE (ˈmaknus ˈmaknuˌsɔn October 12 1929 &ndash January 7 2007) was an Icelandic television The Order of precedence in England and Wales as of 17 December 2007: Names in italics indicate higher precedence elsewhere in the table John Whitaker Straw (born 3 August 1946 most commonly known as Jack Straw, is a senior British Labour Party Politician. The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor is a senior and important functionary in the Government of the United Kingdom. Michael John Martin MP (born 3 July 1945 is the current Speaker of the House of Commons in the United Kingdom. The Order of precedence in Scotland was fixed by Royal Warrant in 1905 The Order of precedence in Northern Ireland: Gentlemen The Sovereign HRH The Duke of Edinburgh HRH The Prince John Tucker Mugabi Sentamu FRSA (born 10 June 1949 in Kampala, Uganda) is the 97th Archbishop of York, Metropolitan The Archbishop of York is a high-ranking cleric in the Church of England, second only to the Archbishop of Canterbury. Michael John Martin MP (born 3 July 1945 is the current Speaker of the House of Commons in the United Kingdom.

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