Commission Members: Biography

Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Gordon Brown became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in June 2007. He had been appointed as Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1997. He has also been appointed the Member of Parliament for Dunfermline East and Opposition spokesperson on Treasury and Economic Affairs (Shadow Chancellor).

Mr Brown was born in 1951 and educated at Edinburgh University where he gained 1st Class Honours and then a Doctorate. He was Rector of Edinburgh University and Chairman of the University Court following which he lectured at Edinburgh University and then Caledonian University before working as a journalist at Scottish TV.

After becoming an MP, Mr Brown was the Chair of the Labour Party Scottish Council. Before becoming Shadow Chancellor he held two other senior posts on the Opposition front bench - Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Shadow Trade and Industry Secretary.
Mr Brown has had a number of works published including Maxton, The Politics of Nationalism and Devolution and Where There is Greed. He has edited a number of books including John Smith: Life and Soul of the Party and Values, Visions and Voices.