Boom and Bust: The Politics and Legacy of Gordon Brown

On 27th June 2007, Gordon Brown finally succeeded Tony Blair as Prime Minister for Great Britain, having waited in the wings for over ten years. Formerly the longest serving, most powerful, and most successful Chancellor in over 100 years, the beginning of his premiership was marked by high approval ratings and a commanding lead in the polls. Two years later, he is the most unpopular Prime Minister in recent history. In this newly updated edition of the critically acclaimed biography, Simon Lee systematically examines Brown's politics over the last decade of Labour power, and assesses his catastrophic fall from grace. Arguing that ideological wavering and economic mismanagement are at the root of his problems, Lee traces Brown’s thought and politics from his roots as impassioned socialist and to the pragmatic liberal he is today. Incisive and compelling, Lee’s searching examination of the UK's most important politician will prove invaluable to anyone interested in contemporary British politics. Simon Lee is Senior Lecturer in Politics at Hull University and a leading expert on Gordon Brown and New Labour.