Speeches, 1997-2006

Gordon Brown was born (1951) and educated in Kirkcaldy. He studied at Edinburgh University from the age of 16 and graduated with Master of Arts at 19 with 1st Class Honours, later gaining a Doctorate of Philosophy. He was elected Rector of Edinburgh University by the student body and from 1972 to 1975 was Chairman of the University Court. From 1976 to 1980, he lectured at Edinburgh University and then Glasgow College of Technology, before taking up a post at Scottish TV. From 1983-1984 he was Chair of the Labour Party Scottish Council and in May 1983 became MP for Dunfermline East. He was Opposition spokesperson on Treasury and Economic Affairs (Shadow Chancellor) from 1992. With the election of the Labour government in May 1997, Gordon Brown became Chancellor of the Exchequer and is now the longest serving Chancellor for 200 years. He is currently Chairman of the International Monetary and Finance Committee which monitors the International Monetary Fund and is a member of Kofi Annan's Panel for the Reform of the United Nations. Gordon Brown is married to Sarah Macaulay and they have one son. Wilf Stevenson, a former Director of the BFI, is the Director of the Smith Institute, an independent Think Tank set up to undertake research and education in issues that flow from the changing relationship between social values and economic imperatives.