Politics: If Cameron is heir to Blair, Osborne is heir to Brown

In many ways, Gordon Brown and George Osborne are opposites.

In many ways, Gordon Brown and George Osborne are opposites. When Brown became chancellor, he moved into the smallest, dingiest office on the Treasury’s ministerial corridor — eschewing the grand office that had been used by his predecessors. He also made great play of turning down Dorneywood, which was left to John Prescott. Osborne has restored the natural order of things. He has moved into the best office in the corridor and sent one of his advisers to work in Brown’s old room. He has asserted his claim to Dorneywood, leaving William Hague and Nick Clegg to country-house share. Indeed, Osborne is so keen on his grace-and-favour estate that he went there late last week to work on his conference speech.

To listen to him, it is as if the Chancellor is still fighting the former prime minister. Where there was profligacy, Osborne wants to bring austerity.