Constituents pay tribute to Brown

Locals in the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency in Fife spoke of their pride at seeing Mr Brown succeed Tony Blair as Prime Minister.

As a group of civil servants gathered in his constituency to protest against job cuts, the mood elsewhere was one of quiet optimism for the future.

Business owners and locals spoke of their hopes for the post-Blair era now that their patch has been placed at the centre of the political map.

Dave Somerville, chairman of Kirkcaldy-based Raith Rovers Football Club - the former Chancellor's favourite team - said everyone wished him well.

"I think you'll find the town and Fife quite proud of the fact that the Prime Minister is not only a local MP but a local man, brought up in Kirkcaldy. People are totally positive. I've not heard anything negative at all about it. I think it will bring a profile on to Kirkcaldy - it already has done. I'm not sure that translates into tangible benefits, but certainly it brings a feeling of wellbeing, and perhaps in the future the town will be known for Gordon Brown and Raith Rovers."

Mr Somerville, who has dealt with Mr Brown for more than 20 years, described him as a "genuine supporter" of the club and said his serious image was not the whole story.

Rhona White, who runs Mr Brown's constituency office in Cowdenbeath, said it had been a long time coming. "Everybody's excited and everybody's over the moon. We're so pleased because we have been waiting for this for a long time."

She said she got the chance to congratulate Mr Brown over the weekend when he was in Manchester. "We could see how pleased he was," she said of her boss, whom she described as a "true socialist".

She added she believed the area would not lose out now that he has taken the top job. "I'm sure he will make sure that he does come to his constituency. We do realise that in this new job that we won't see him as much, but I'm sure he will be here at every opportunity."