His critics call him "Stalinist," while his supporters say he is a misunderstood political heavyweight. Now, the real Gordon Brown is about to step forward after a decade of waiting in the wings.Brown, who has been Prime Minister Tony Blair's chancellor since the pair swept New Labour to power in 1997, is finally expected to succeed him in 10, Downing Street following Blair's resignation announcement today.It is a goal that has been a long time coming for Brown, 56, who has been a lawmaker for nearly a quarter-century and Britain's longest serving finance minister without interruption.During his 10 years in office, he has gained a reputation as a workaholic, and though seen as dour and uncharismatic in public, he is reputed to be personable in private.A son of a Presbyterian minister, Brown was always bright, started university in Edinburgh at just 16, and after gaining a first-class degree in history, he went on to receive a doctorate.He forged links with the Labour Party early in life, offering to canvas for them in a by-election when he was 12, and joined the party officially at 18.He was elected to represent Dunfermline East in 1983 -- the same year Blair became an MP -- and was named Labour's finance spokesman in 1992, after joining the shadow cabinet in 1987.Following the death of then Labour leader John Smith in 1994, a popular legend relates that Brown and Blair made a deal in a north London restaurant whereby Brown would back Blair's candidacy, and Blair would let his colleague step into the top job as little as four years into a Labour government.Tony Blair: I did what I thought was rightIt is official - Blair announces resignation
