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

I didn't vote Labour and haven't been a great fan of GB as a politician, but have huge admiration and respect for him as an individual. He's an intellectual heavyweight who went into politics when he could probably have had far greater financial rewards elsewhere.

• without the stresses of living in the public eye being ripped apart by the media on a regular basis.

Enjoy family life Gordon and Sarah - you deserve it!

Amen to that, Expat.

(from somebody who has never had the right vote, lived in the uk 15 years and loved it, and still cares)

i agree with expat in everything she says

just want to echo what others have sai on this thread. I really admire your integrity and what you have managed to achieve not only for Britain, but in your tireless support for international development. I wish you all the best for the future.

Well, if he's reading I wanted to say that I think it's really unfair that his looks and awkwardness were criticised so much. Not everyone is gregarious and I thought some of the comments made were far roo personal and unfair.

Mr Brown, I think history will be kinder to you than the 24/7 media we are living in at the moment. You are a conviction politician, and almost a different breed to the professional types that are leading other parties.

Me and the kids campaigned for our local Labor party candidate, and talked to lots of people. Not one expressed disapproval of yourself as PM.

And believe me, no one said PR was a personal issue either

Forgot to say that I admire his decision to step down later in the year but wish politics could be a different way because I believe that he is the best person to be in charge in the coming years.

Oh I'm so glad you started this thread Expat.

As others have said, the way Gordon Brown has been treated by the media is a disgrace and he has remained dignified and resolute throughout.

I believe the Gordon has been one of the best and most honourable PMs this country has had and I look forward to whatever he is going to do next in his admirable work to serve the public.

I too think he is a man of moral conviction and great integrity. Mr Brown will go down in history as one of the greats.

Sarah Brown I bet you are so proud of him. Many many British people are proud of him too and I am one of them.

Another wishing you well. I was shocked yesterday when you made the announcement that you were prepared to step down as PM - but full of admiration for your decision.

I remember the days before 1997 with revulsion and the positive change that Labour has brought to this country is all too easily forgotten (especially by those who didn't live through the Thatcher years), and your part in that contribution has been immense.

I find it sad that the media - and the need to have a nice, shiny tellyvisual image - dictate so much of what goes on in politics.

I have always admired your integrity and commitment to your beliefs, and your purposefulness in acting on those and not just taking the easy way out.

I wish you and your family very well.

Thank you, expat, for starting this thread!

Just to add to what's been said. GB really seems to care, something which I fear is sadly missing in many other politicians ie Cameron. I think history will judge him kindly as someone whose policies helped millions in this country (more so than Blair, who will forever be associated with Iraq). It's a shame GB didn't have longer at the top.

I don't have much to add, but I'm glad to see this thread, and sad to see Gordon Brown go.

I think Gordon Brown had the makings of a very successful PM. Unfortunately, he came afetr TB, who I didn't like and then had to deal with the aftermath. The war..expenses..recession...all of which any other Lab/Tory PM would have had to deal with. Nobody would have survived that.

I wish you and your family all the best.

I am sad to see him go, and I am dreading it if we get a lib/con coalition, everytime I look at Clegg and Cameron I think you may not be able to polish a turd but you can roll it in glitter.

I think Gordon Brown had a lot to bring to politics and I wish him and his family well in the future

I too am very sad that Mr Brown has decided to resign. He has been hounded out by the media and I think this country does not appreciate what he and Labour have done for us. I wish him and his family all the best and would thank him for all his hard work over his many years of service to us.

would just like to echo what has already been said on this thread, i wish you and your family every happiness. I shall be sad to see you go. you have (as others said) integrity, which is so rare in a man in your position.

I firmly believe that down the line Gordon Brown (and Tony Blair, but to a lesser extent because of the pizzazz factor which was allowed to take over) will be seen as two of the most effective and inclusive PMs this country has ever had. Before history becomes historical, when we are still talking about last week, or last month, or last year, it's edgy and post-modern and very Frankie Boyle just to be negative about everything.

I don't think Tax credits, Surestart, minimum wages, the cancellation of the debt, equality for same sex partnerships inter alia are a cause for handwringing and negativity, but rather a call to arms (and I think that last week's election result proved that, people got up and voted who hadn't been arsed for years, because they suddenly realised how very much it mattered)to carry on in the same vein. I'm mataphorically up there on the rooftops shouting how proud and humbled I am to have voted for both TB and GB, and Sarah's dignity should be a lesson to many.

Wishing them all well.

Good wishes from me too. Too many people believe the rubbish that they read in the Press instead of using their brain.
Oh - and you were right Mr brown - that woman WAS a bigot.

I for one feel very sad that Gorden has resigned. During his time as chancellor and prime minister he achieved a lot of great things that many people directly benefited from and dealt with many very difficult situations with integrity and compassion. Yes he made mistakes but what government hasn't! I am disgusted at the way the media have treated him. Murdock and his cronies have behaved appallingly.

I wish him and Sarah well for the future and hope he gets some well earned rest with his family in the coming months.

Integrity, that's the word I was looking for. He may have made mistakes, but at least they were honest mistakes.

I am very sad that Gordon Brown is going. I admire him hugely. I think he has integretity, honesty and believes in wht he does. He is a fantastic role model for his children.
I will miss him.

I too wish the Browns well, and hope that they will have time to enjoy being a family, and develop other interests outside politics.

MR Brown,
May I echo the sentiments already expressed here. You have an understanding of the lives the vast majority of the people living in this country have, which, I'm sorry to say, may not be the case with certain other parties. As a result, you and your government have worked damn hard for us to achieve a standard of living that this country has never seen before.
Thank you for the minimum wage, which is the best thing this country has seen. it has lifted so many out of abject poverty.
I hop you enjoy life back in your constituency