Gordon Brown

Gordon Brown, the future Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, was born on February 20, 1951, in Glasgow, Scotland.

Gordon Brown started at Edinburgh University at the age of 16, becoming the youngest fresher there since the war.

In the 1983 General Election, Gordon Brown won the seat for Dunfermline East with a majority of 11,000 votes. This marked the beginning of his political career as a Member of Parliament.

Although Gordon Brown claimed to have overseen the longest period of sustained economic growth in UK history, part of this growth phase began under the preceding Conservative government led by John Major in 1993.

Gordon Brown assumed the position of Chancellor of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom on May 2, 1997, after Labour's victory in the general election. He implemented major reforms in monetary and fiscal policies during his tenure.

Gordon Brown's 1998 budget aimed at achieving stability, enterprise, welfare reform, and strong public services, addressing long-standing economic weaknesses.

In October 2004, Tony Blair announced he would not lead the Labour Party into a fourth general election, paving the way for Gordon Brown to succeed him as Prime Minister.

In 2005, at the Gleneagles Summit, an agreement was announced to support the world’s poorest countries and address climate change. This initiative showcased a commitment to global justice and sustainable development.

On April 20, 2006, Gordon Brown presented a 'Green' perspective on global development during a speech to the United Nations Ambassadors.

On May 11, 2007, Gordon Brown launched his campaign to become the Prime Minister with the slogan 'Gordon Brown for Britain'. Tony Blair publicly supported his candidacy.

On May 16, 2007, Gordon Brown received 313 nominations from Labour MPs, ensuring his victory in the leadership race.

On May 17, 2007, Prime Minister Gordon Brown had a working visit.

On June 11, 2007, Gordon Brown made an unexpected trip to Iraq where he held talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

On June 24, 2007, Tony Blair transferred the leadership of the Labour Party to Gordon Brown during a conference held in Manchester, England.

On June 27, 2007, Gordon Brown officially became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, succeeding Tony Blair.

On July 1, 2007, Gordon Brown receives credit for his handling of the failed terrorist attacks in London's West End and Glasgow airport.

On July 3, 2007, Brown announced a series of constitutional reforms, including limits to the powers of the prime minister, extensions to the powers of Parliament, a consultation on a bill of rights, and a possible lowering of the minimum voting age.

On July 7, 2007, Gordon Brown pledges £14 million in relief for Doncaster and Hull after some of the worst flooding in the UK in 60 years.

On July 29, 2007, Gordon Brown had his first official visit to the United States as Prime Minister and met with President George W. Bush at Camp David.

On August 3, 2007, Gordon Brown rushes back from holiday to chair an emergency meeting on the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.

On September 14, 2007, the crisis surrounding Northern Rock grows as investors queue to withdraw their savings during Gordon Brown's time as Prime Minister.

On September 24, 2007, Gordon Brown commits to full employment and creating 'British jobs for British workers' in his first Labour party conference speech as Prime Minister.

Despite speculation and pre-election promotion, Gordon Brown announced that there would be no snap general election in 2007. This decision was later seen as a costly mistake as his party's popularity declined in the following year.

On December 6, 2007, Labour's plan to extend pre-charge detention to up to 42 days for terror suspects is dropped by Gordon Brown after a crushing defeat in the Commons.

After Labour scored its lowest results in 40 years in the local elections, Gordon Brown resigned as Labour leader due to the party's poor performance.

In May 2008, Gordon Brown meets with the Dalai Lama at the Archbishop of Canterbury's London residence. This meeting is condemned by China, stating that it interferes in their internal affairs and hurts the Chinese people's feelings.

In September 2008, a rebellion against Gordon Brown's leadership within the Labour Party was sparked by MP Siobhain McDonagh calling for a discussion on Brown's position. Several Labour MPs, including McDonagh and Joan Ryan, expressed the need for a leadership election, leading to internal party turmoil.

In December 2008, Gordon Brown announces that British troops will withdraw from Iraq before June 2009. This decision marks a significant shift in the UK's military involvement in the region.

On 6 January 2010, Patricia Hewitt and Geoff Hoon jointly called for a secret ballot on the future of Gordon Brown's leadership. The call did not receive much support and was later referred to by Brown as a 'form of silliness'.

On March 6, 2010, Gordon Brown visits British troops in Afghanistan and pledges to provide them with 200 new patrol vehicles that are more resistant to roadside bombs.

In the British general election on May 6, 2010, the Labour Party, led by Gordon Brown, lost its majority in the House of Commons to the Conservatives. Despite no party achieving a majority, Brown resigned as both leader of the Labour Party and as prime minister.

On May 11, 2010, Gordon Brown resigns as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom after the general election results in a hung parliament. This marked the end of his tenure as the Prime Minister.

On May 13, 2010, Gordon Brown made his first public appearance after resigning as Prime Minister and confirmed his intention to continue serving as a Labour backbencher in Parliament, representing his Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency until 2015.

On July 11, 2011, The Guardian newspaper made claims that The Sun, owned by Rupert Murdoch, had unlawfully acquired information about Gordon Brown's son and released a story regarding the child's health issues. Brown expressed dismay over the extent of illegal activities and unethical methods used to access personal information, stating that the issue was being handled by the authorities.

Gave testimony at the Leveson Inquiry regarding interactions with The Sun newspaper, Murdoch, media rights versus citizen rights, and concerns with British politicians.

On December 1, 2014, Gordon Brown announced that he would not be seeking re-election to Parliament. He stepped down at the general election in May 2015.

In December 2015, investment management firm PIMCO announced the retention of Gordon Brown, along with other prominent figures like Ben Bernanke and Jean-Claude Trichet, to establish a Global Advisory Board.

On December 5, 2022, the Labour party’s Commission on the UK’s Future, led by Brown, releases a report advocating significant reforms such as transferring political authority from the House of Lords to local governments.

Gordon Brown highlighted the necessity for the UK to adopt a war footing approach to stimulate economic growth in March 2024.

On March 12, 2024, Gordon Brown urged the Treasury to step out of its comfort zone to address the issue of low economic growth.

In March 2024, Gordon Brown expressed his support for greater Welsh devolution, emphasizing the need for more autonomy.