Alice Thomson

Birth order means more than school or faith

To understand those in power, says Alice Thomson, ask whether they are older or younger siblings. Brown, a middle son, is far less easy-going than Cameron, a youngest son

issue 12 January 2008

Kirkcaldy High School vs Eton, Highland Scot vs Newbury toff, Edinburgh University vs Oxford. If you are choosing between Gordon Brown and David Cameron that’s what the next election may come down to. Or is there another factor? No one ever mentions birth order. Mr Brown is the classic case. With a younger brother, as well as an older one, he genuinely feels a strong moral duty to do his best for his father (son of the manse as he is) and to compete with his elder brother, who preceded him to Edinburgh University. He wants order and precision, he is conscientious and hard-working, nervous of making decisions and less open to new experiences. He is weighed down by the burden of expectation he carries on his shoulders. After all, almost his first words on becoming Prime Minister were: ‘I will do my best for all the people of Britain.’

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