“ His political education has been long and deep. While Tony Blair played air guitar at Oxford, Gordon Brown made policy at Edinburgh. As a result, I believe that there will be a new generosity in government that will require, in return, a new responsibility from the people. Rights and responsibilities will not be simple catch phrases. Rather, they will become realities that could result in new civil and political environments that will revitalise our society.

Bob Cuddihy, friend for more than 30 years and Scottish policy officer for the Chartered Institute for Landscape Architects

“ I am surprised he still wants the job, at his age and with the state of his eyesight. It will leave him almost no time for playing with the bairns and reading even more good books. Unless, of course, this master of the details of so many trades is content, at long last, to delegate more of the research, discussion and decision-making. That may be the biggest surprise of all.

Jonathan Wills, former flat-mate who was involved in student politics with Gordon Brown at Edinburgh University and helped to set up his constituency office in 1983

“ After 35 years or knowing Brown – and admiring his ability, drive, intelligence and political skills – I have an uneasy feeling about his accession to power. Not only has it probably come too late, but from my own experience of him it may be that a great thespian is being replaced only by a great chameleon. A chameleon who can certainly create loyal groups around him but in the end still a chameleon with no original vision of where he wants to lead nor any idea save ambition of why he must do so.

Michael Russell, the new SNP Minister for the Environment, who has known Brown for 30 years

“ Gordon Brown would surprise me, first of all, if he stopped finding open doors and then locking them shut. But it seems to have become a habit. A door was open to him to denounce the Iraq war and proclaim no more cringing to the White House. A door was open to reverse the great railway privatisation disaster. A door was open to undo the rapidly growing social divide in England.

If he had gone through only some of those doors, or even left them open, Gordon Brown would have transformed the climate of politics throughout the UK. This is a big beast, with a good heart and a fine brain. But it’s a beast terribly sensitive to draughts, which easily gets the shivers. How could Gordon Brown surprise us all? By taking a risk.

Neal Ascherson, a journalist who has known Gordon Brown since the 1980s

“ Business will have two litmus tests against which to judge this week’s headlines. Will the revamped Department of Trade and Industry emerge under a strong Cabinet minister with a clear mandate to champion a competitive economy? Will the changes make it more or less likely that the UK can develop a diverse supply of low carbon energy, including nuclear?

His reputation has been built on the strong economy over the past ten years, and for him it will be critically important to ensure that this is sustained over the next two years.

Richard Lambert, Director-General of the CBI ‘My promise is, I will try my utmost’

These were the words of Gordon Brown outside 10 Downing Street in his first speech as Prime Minister:

“ “I have just accepted the invitation of Her Majesty the Queen to form a Government. This will be a new Government with new priorities and I have been privileged to have been granted the great opportunity to serve my country, “And at all times I will be strong in purpose, steadfast in will, resolute in action in the service of what matters to the British people, meeting the concerns and aspirations of our whole country.

“I grew up in the town that I now represent in Parliament; I went to the local school.

“I wouldn’t be standing here without the opportunities that I received there and I want the best of chances for everyone.

“That is my mission: that if we can fulfil the potential and realise the talents of all our people then I am absolutely sure that Britain can be the great global success story of this century.

“As I have travelled around the country and as I have listened and I have learned from the British people – and as Prime Minister I will continue to listen and learn from the British people – I have heard the need for change: change in our NHS; change in our schools; change with affordable housing; change to build trust in government; change to protect and extend the British way of life.

“And this need for change cannot be met by the old politics so I will reach out beyond narrow party interest; I will build a government that uses all the talents; I will invite men and women of goodwill to contribute their energies in a new spirit of public service to make our nation what it can be.

“And I am convinced that there is no weakness in Britain today that cannot be overcome by the strengths of the British people.

“On this day I remember words that have stayed with me since my childhood and which matter a great deal today: my school motto, ‘I will try my utmost’.

“This is my promise to all of the people of Britain and now let the work of change begin. Thank you.”

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