Now he's Britain's new Prime Minister, but...

WHO IS HE? WHAT'S HE REALLY LIKE?

This website will attempt to explore this question: who is the real Gordon Brown, behind the political persona? I'm not going to fill this page with judgments right away. Instead, I will develop this page gradually. Because of his careful control of his political position, his political appearance, and his political policies, his personality can come across as quite guarded. At the same time, there are flashes of warmth, of conviction, of humanity. Sometimes one is left wishing he would loosen up and let people in a bit more. Political rivals, on the other hand, will portray a picture of someone who can be rigid, moody, dominating. They sometimes suggest that he is cold and ruthless. And yet, his roots and inspiration seem to be about ordinary people and opportunity for everybody. As he commences his role as Prime Minister, he seems to be sending out the message that he wants "to build a better Britain" - and this message is seen in the emphasis he has placed on building new houses, on a career-long commitment to health and education, and the concept of a distinctive British identity. Or are these just more key-phrases and sound-bites? Because many people don't seem to know.

They seem unsure what to make of someone who can come across as dour, somewhat gloomy and downbeat, and intellectually very very serious. Yet is that so bad anyway, compared to the 'Hooray Henries' who seem to accompany his political rival, David Cameron? Can ordinary people feel more in common with someone who grew up without the privileges of Eton? Is there something 'Stalinist' about Gordon's Brown controlling instincts (as his rivals have suggested)? Or is he simply committed and determined to achieve decent goals for the people of this country? And is his slightly awkward style a reflection of 'personality flaws' as some allege? Is he a whole human being, or someone shy and diffident and over-intense and motivated by the agenda of his own career? Is there something a bit dubious and concerning about a person who seems to have been so driven for so long, inhabiting a political world, a world of press releases and manoeuvering? And - fundamentally - how will he perform, now that he is finally Prime Minister?

Because that is probably how he will be judged in the end. Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see whether he develops a style and a 'connection' with the public. It will be interesting to see if British people warm to him, or simply don't find him attractive. Will they prefer Gordon Brown to his rival... David Cameron of the Conservatives...