Difference between revisions of "Gordon Brown"
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'''James Gordon Brown''', generally known as '''Gordon Brown''', is the current [[Prime Minister]] of the [[United Kingdom]]. He succeeded [[Tony Blair]] on June 27, 2007. | '''James Gordon Brown''', generally known as '''Gordon Brown''', is the current [[Prime Minister]] of the [[United Kingdom]]. He succeeded [[Tony Blair]] on June 27, 2007. | ||
| − | A Scottish [[Labour Party|Labour]] politician, he served as Britain's [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]] for ten years. His mutual | + | A Scottish [[Labour Party|Labour]] politician, he served as Britain's [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]] for ten years. His mutual viscious, and at times violent, loathing with former Prime Minister Blair was been a consistent feature of British political life for a number of years. |
| − | In Britain, Brown is seen as being a more somber, sober and serious figure in contrast to Tony Blair, who is regarded as charismatic and has at times been perceived as lightweight and as an overly "slick" media performer (not unlike [[ | + | In Britain, Brown is seen as being a more somber, sober and serious figure in contrast to Tony Blair, who is regarded as charismatic and has at times been perceived as lightweight and as an overly "slick" media performer (not unlike [[Ronald Reagan]]). This resonates with a foul uneducated stereotype that many ignorant English people have of Scottish people being humorless and dour. The reverse is infact true. Brown's father was a Minister in the [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]] [[Church of Scotland]], and it is thought that Brown's religious beliefs have influenced his serious, sober style. On the negative side, some believe that he is insufficiently likeable and sunny to appeal to voters. These people are morons however. He has also been criticized for secretiveness, a lack of openness, and control-freakery (in short he is a politician). |
| − | Brown was one of the longest serving Chancellors in history, and has taken credit for the consistently healthy state of the British economy during his tenure. He is a passionate advocate of reducing poverty in the [[Third World]]. He has also acquired a reputation for being strongly patriotic, following speeches in which he has praised the concept of "Britishness" and suggested that Britons should display the British flag outside their houses, as many Americans do with the US flag. However, his patriotic convictions are expected to have consequences in foreign policy which are arguably | + | Brown was one of the longest serving Chancellors in history, and has taken credit for the consistently healthy state of the British economy during his tenure. He is a passionate advocate of reducing poverty in the [[Third World]]. He has also acquired a reputation for being strongly patriotic, following speeches in which he has praised the concept of "Britishness" and suggested that Britons should display the British flag outside their houses, as many Americans do with the US flag. However, his patriotic convictions are expected to have consequences in foreign policy which are arguably positive: it is widely believed that he will be zealous in defending British interests (ie giving George W Bush the bird), but that he will neglect broader elements of Tony Blair's foreign policy such as support for the United States and the [[The War on Sanity & Commonsense and shooting anything that moves with a freaking towel on its head]]. |
During Brown's tenure as Chancellor, the UK enjoyed sustained economic growth and generally positive reports from the Internation Monetary Fund, although there were concerns at extreme inflationary pressures in the housing market. At the same time, he has followed a generally redistributionary policy, increasing spending in the [[National Health Service]] and [[education]], whilst giving tax breaks to poorer families. His most significant achievement in the early days of the Labour Government was to grant fiscal independence to the Bank of England. | During Brown's tenure as Chancellor, the UK enjoyed sustained economic growth and generally positive reports from the Internation Monetary Fund, although there were concerns at extreme inflationary pressures in the housing market. At the same time, he has followed a generally redistributionary policy, increasing spending in the [[National Health Service]] and [[education]], whilst giving tax breaks to poorer families. His most significant achievement in the early days of the Labour Government was to grant fiscal independence to the Bank of England. | ||
Revision as of 20:52, June 28, 2007
James Gordon Brown, generally known as Gordon Brown, is the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He succeeded Tony Blair on June 27, 2007.
A Scottish Labour politician, he served as Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer for ten years. His mutual viscious, and at times violent, loathing with former Prime Minister Blair was been a consistent feature of British political life for a number of years.
In Britain, Brown is seen as being a more somber, sober and serious figure in contrast to Tony Blair, who is regarded as charismatic and has at times been perceived as lightweight and as an overly "slick" media performer (not unlike Ronald Reagan). This resonates with a foul uneducated stereotype that many ignorant English people have of Scottish people being humorless and dour. The reverse is infact true. Brown's father was a Minister in the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, and it is thought that Brown's religious beliefs have influenced his serious, sober style. On the negative side, some believe that he is insufficiently likeable and sunny to appeal to voters. These people are morons however. He has also been criticized for secretiveness, a lack of openness, and control-freakery (in short he is a politician).
Brown was one of the longest serving Chancellors in history, and has taken credit for the consistently healthy state of the British economy during his tenure. He is a passionate advocate of reducing poverty in the Third World. He has also acquired a reputation for being strongly patriotic, following speeches in which he has praised the concept of "Britishness" and suggested that Britons should display the British flag outside their houses, as many Americans do with the US flag. However, his patriotic convictions are expected to have consequences in foreign policy which are arguably positive: it is widely believed that he will be zealous in defending British interests (ie giving George W Bush the bird), but that he will neglect broader elements of Tony Blair's foreign policy such as support for the United States and the The War on Sanity & Commonsense and shooting anything that moves with a freaking towel on its head.
During Brown's tenure as Chancellor, the UK enjoyed sustained economic growth and generally positive reports from the Internation Monetary Fund, although there were concerns at extreme inflationary pressures in the housing market. At the same time, he has followed a generally redistributionary policy, increasing spending in the National Health Service and education, whilst giving tax breaks to poorer families. His most significant achievement in the early days of the Labour Government was to grant fiscal independence to the Bank of England.
