Brown, (James) Gordon

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British Labour politician, prime minister and leader of the Labour Party from 2007. He was chancellor of the Exchequer 1997–2007. As chancellor he ceded to the Bank of England full control of interest rates, and promoted such key initiatives as the ‘welfare to work’ programme directed against unemployment and funded by a windfall tax imposed on privatized utilities.

Brown entered Parliament in 1983, rising quickly to the opposition front bench. He took over from John Smith as shadow chancellor in 1992. After Smith's death in May 1994, he declined to challenge his close ally Tony Blair for the Labour Party leadership, retaining his post as shadow chancellor, and assuming the chancellorship after the 1997 general election.

During the Labour government's first term 1997–2001, he gained the reputation of being an ‘iron chancellor’, maintaining firm control over public expenditure despite demands from the left wing of the party for more funds for welfare reform and the National Health Service. After the 2001 general election, Brown released more funds for health and other government spending, but there were criticisms that expected benefits were not being achieved and the total tax burden was rising.

Blue represents the sky. The golden sun symbolizes the country's hopes for the future. Effective date: 4 June 1992. >>