Gordon Brown
Leadership
Gordon Brown (1951- )
Scottish rival of Tony Blair who succeeded him as
prime minister in 2007.
Brown (pictured right) lost to David Cameron in
2010.
He was vital in keeping Scotland in the UK after its referendum on independence in 2014.
What kind of leader was
he?
1. Principled but pragmatic
His father was a Church of Scotland minister, who taught him to work hard and help everyone equally including
the poor.
But he could bend his principles to suit his circumstances.
For example, he abandoned his early commitment to tight government spending controls (“prudence with
purpose”) and lost his reputation as a champion of the poor in 2007 by increasing their rate of income
tax.
2. Single-minded, determined and ambitious
His great determination partly came from his resolve to overcome a school rugby accident
that nearly blinded him.
He was determined to become prime minister, which made his relationship with Tony Blair (pictured right) so frustrating.
Brown was consumed by ambition, leading to his constant and vicious vendetta against Blair,
once a close friend (they shared an office when they first became MP’s in 1983).
3. Lifelong learner
He loves learning and books, constantly striving to improve his knowledge.
4. Attention to detail
All his speeches and policies were supported by lots of statistics and a careful analysis of the facts.
But this obsession with detail turned him into a control freak, constantly interfering in his ministers'
work.
5. Thinker, planner and policy maker
He took important decisions after taking advice and carefully considering all the facts available.
He is a serious minded intellectual, who was accused of being boring and humourless on TV and
in public speeches.
His greatest political achievements were:
- giving independence to the Bank of England.
- regenerating the NHS (Britain's free, state owned health service).
- keeping Britain out of the Euro (despite opposition from his colleagues).
- leading the recovery from the global financial crisis of 2008-9.
6. Workaholic
He works incredibly hard and is dedicated to politics. But his family (wife, Sarah, pictured right, and two
children) give him some relaxation.
7. Courage
He has had the courage to face up to the death of his baby daughter, Jennifer, in 2002, and the cystic fibrosis
of his son, James, and to fight for his policies and principles like greater equality and social justice.
8. Loyal
He was intensely loyal to his close circle of friends (including J. K. Rowling, pictured right), family and political
supporters.
But they had to be loyal in return. He never forgave betrayal.
9. Stubborn
It is hard to change his mind, once he has decided to do something.
10. Ruthless autocrat
Brown (pictured right with Barack Obama) was ruthless
in carrying out decisions, according to the former head of the British civil service, Andrew
Turnbull.
Brown was insensitive to:
- public opinion (so losing people's sympathy).
- his colleagues (being renowned for his bullying and obsessive control).
Key quote on
success
I will try my utmost (quoting his school motto on
becoming prime minister).
Key quote on
family
I'm a father; that's what matters most.
Key quote on
leadership
I want to lead a government humble enough to know its place – where I will always strive to be – and that is on
people’s side.
Key quote on Tony
Blair
“There is nothing that you could ever say to me now that I could ever believe” (to Tony Blair).
Key quotes on
society
"A new paradigm that sees economic growth, social justice and environmental care advancing together can become
the common sense of our age".
“It’s about time we had an end to the old Britain, where all that matters is the privileges you were born with,
rather than the potential you actually have”.
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