However let us not get too carried away with ourselves as he is still pushing for longer detention without trial, ID cards and is also talking about re-classifying cannabis to a class B. So he’s not appearing the most liberal of PMs. He is also still supporting the step by step privatization of the NHS via the reform agenda. We will have to wait and see how his attitude changes and how willing he is to distance himself his position alongside Blair. He was of course also a supporter of the illegal war in Iraq and was a central figure from the outset in the neo-labor endeavor.

I suspect that Brown will have more success then Blair over the anti-terror legislation and pushing throw ID cards. This is precisely because he will take a slower and more methodical approach at getting things through parliament. This will make his measures seem far more measured and reasonable, but not any less dangerous.