For Mr Dear Gordon Brown and Family, because I know Sarah Brown may lurk, a support thread

Dear GB, I'm sorry to see you go. I'm sad you weren't able to be PM longer.

Yes, she was a bigot - that made me laugh.

Good luck with the future.

Highlander used the phrase that was on the tip of my tongue but I couldn't quite find

yes, GB is a slogger! that's what I wanted to say

Dear Prime Minister.

When you took over from Blair I wasn't an immediate fan of yours. However, I think you presided over an enormously difficult time for Britain, and I think you steered us through very choppy waters so that we emerged relatively unscathed. I think most people in the position you found yourself in would have done a worse job.

For what it's worth, my turning point on you was when there was that media furore about you misspelling the family name of that soldier who died in a letter you handwrote. I was blown away that someone as busy as you, with the physical obstacles you overcome daily (in fact until that day I didn't know about them, so good is your overcoming of them) still took the time to personally handwrite those letters.

I think you're a good man with a strong moral compass, and I think you've been a good, upright, strong and measured Prime Minister. I think you're honest, I think you're experienced, I think twice now you have put your party and your country above your own agenda and I will be sorry to see you go. The prospect of DC in your shoes would be laughable, were it not so terrible.

So - for all the things you have done for this country, seen and unseen, I would just like to say thank you. I wish you could have stayed longer.

To Sarah - enjoy having your husband back!

When Donald Dewar died, he was hugely mourned. GB's resignation evokes the same sadness.

He's the last Prime Minister we've seen that comes from a 'normal' (financially modest) background - I think that counts for a lot.

We've all conveniently forgotten how awful the NHS used to be. Consultants were paid to work full-time, yet could dictate the NHS hours that they worked and do as much private work as they liked. New labour changed that. Consultnats now must work a full week before they can do private work. New labour have brought timescales to expediate patient treatment, ensuring NHS staff actually work hard. As a government organisation, there's always going to be a lot wrong with the NHS, but my doctor DH believes Labour worked hard to make sure the NHS worked hard for patients.

I loved the way GB shunned sleb cutlure and slogged away at being chancellor and PM.

DH had to show GB around his cardiology theatre last year and was so impressed by his stature. 'A hugely serious, dedicated guy'.

Have fun with Sarah and your boys. My top tip? Don't be like my mum. She thought that, at age 12, an excellent birthday present was some biography of Keir Hardie.......... There can be a life without politics............

Right, well if Sarah Brown does read this:-

WELL DONE Missus! You were and continue to be a credit to your self and your family! As PM's wives go, you're my favourite!

To Mr Brown - I thought your handling and Mr Darling's handling of the immediate crisis after the banks buggered it up, was brilliant!

Labour not really my party but credit where credit is due - you done good there!

I wonder when the next time the country will be in such safe hands will be

"He is the least self serving and power hungry of the lot of them."

I agree, and think it a tragedy of our degenerate media-led age that that was exactly your struggle, Mr Brown.

Good luck to you and your family in whatever happens next. May you flourish in your strengths.

I voted Lib-Dem but I admire a man who can call a bigot spade a bigot spade. I think he had something of a poisoned chalice what with the aftermath of Iraq then global financial turmoil. I think stepping down is the right thing to do and sincerely wish him all the best with the future.

Awww What a nice idea!

Mr Brown I think you have been great. So many of labours policies have done so much for my family. Currently Im a young single mum trying to study with 2 todlers. Your introduciton of sure start centres has meant my children have had a second home and free nursery places with a comunity of staff not only takaing brilliant care of the children but also looking out for me.
I tihnk you have been given a really tough time whilst you have been in power and the majority of it hasnt been your fault.
I think you have always had the countries best intrest at heart and I will be sad to see you go.

Oh and I also think you look like you would give the best hugs! My best friend agrees with me too!

Well done for all your hard work. Im sure your family will be very pleased to have you back to themselves again.

Good luck for the future! x Sorry im not as eliquent or articulate as the other.

My husband was out last night and didn't get home until almost midnight. But when he got in I told him about what I'd seen on the news and newsnight and we sat and talked for quite a long time about how sorry we are that you are no longer PM, how much we admire you and how desolate we feel about the prospect of David Cameron at the helm. You are much admired and respected and will be missed as our PM.

You were right to resign.

You don't believe in PR and have always been very clear on this.
To offer it to retain power would have stuck in your throat I'm sure.
Your convictions are what make you stand out and opposition to PR was one of those convictions.

Good luck.

What a great thread - hope he sees it!

She WAS a bigot and I liked that he thought so

I think GB genuinely cares what happens to the country under ANY party above all else. I don't see that in other leaders. In the debates I felt he was sometimes speaking more directly to the other leaders than the public and trying to get them to REALLY think about the consequences of their policies in case either of them got a majority, rather than just putting them down to make himself look good IYKWIM. He is the least self serving and power hungry of the lot of them.

I think he is a great leader and a good man.

I think you walked into a terrible legacy when you won this job, with all that had happened with Iraq, and all that was poised to happen with the economy.

I admired you for falling on your sword for your party yesterday, whatever happens ultimately.

I hope it is something of a relief to you to have fought a tough battle, and acheived a fair bit of good groundwork, in many areas, some of which I think has still to become apparent. I hope your efforts continue to bear fruit while you are enjoying a well-deserved calmer life.

yup, she was a bigot.

thanks for the thread exp. As I said to you late in the night just before the elections, Gordon will go on to bigger and better things that PM. He has the honesty and determination to do that. Like Jimmy Carter has done so much good for humanity after his presidency waned.

(I didn't vote Labour btw. I live in a safe seat and the seat has just passed from the hands of one crony to another. Nothing to fight for, nothing to work for because Labour always wins in my constituency. Something has to change there. The seat is a locked shop like hte mafia. But if the system was presidential, I'd vote for you.)

hear hear

I have always really liked Gordon (and Sarah) and agree with the sentiments

"
Gordon Brown is one of the few politicians who puts substance and integrity over style and image."

(I even liked his "bigot" comment as he said it as it was...)

{OFF POINT: and i think he looked really REALLY sexy when he was younger and even up to the last few years when No 10 finally aged him beyond belief - sorry for this slightly inappropriate comment Sarah )

I am sometimes involved in teaching aspects of public health to health professionals from Africa. They bring with them, unanimously and from a range of countries, such enormous support and respect for you: such direct contrast to the negativity in the papers here. I hope you realise how far reaching some of your good work is and can see past how disproportionate this media is in scandalising small inconveniences for the comfortable whilst overlooking life changes in the struggling.

I only wish I could make a fraction of as much difference as you have made and really hope it wasn't at too much personal expense. I respect how you do not brag about your successes but do admit to your mistakes, that is how a leader should behave. Good luck with whatever the future holds, you will be missed.

I also echo the sentiments on here Mr Brown.

You have been one of the good guys and I always trusted you even though sometimes I did not agree with you. You always came across to me as honest, caring and genuine.

Under Labour, our family has had financial security and my hometown of Liverpool has blossomed as a city.

I applaud the job you have done as Prime Minister. You saw us through some very tough times and I believe your leadership leaves behind a good legacy.

I wish you and your family the very best for the future.

I think you have an awful lot to be proud of and I am shamed by the treatment of you by the rightwing press.

And I think the single most important thing you have done is bring in the minimum wage and for that I applaud you.

Good thread, expatinscotland.

Mr Brown, I too am sorry to see you go. I like your stanchness, and I think you have suffered because the shallowness of the water in which you have found yourself. 'Cool' is rarely great.

Good luck to you and Sarah and your boys.

Mr Brown, you are a man of integrity, and I thought you were a great PM in very difficult circumstances. You've been mauled by the press (well the Murdoch media), but I believe that you will go down in history as one of this country's most competent PMs, who steered us through the worst parts of the financial crisis with great skill. I do hope you and your family can relax and enjoy your time together out of the unforgiving media spotlight. Thanks for everything you have done for our country. And by the way - that bloody woman was a bigot