What will Gordon Brown say on the threshold of Number Ten? In 1990, Margaret Thatcher famously quoted St Francis of Assisi: “Where there is discord, may we bring harmony. Where there is error, may we bring truth. Where there is doubt, may we bring faith. And where there is despair, may we bring hope.”
Seven years later, after the poll tax riots and Tory civil war, John Major promised unity in party and nation: “Because it will be neither easy nor quick – if you will forgive me – I will go into Number 10 straight away and make a start right now.”
In 1997, surrounded by party workers waving flags, Tony Blair declared: “For 18 years – 18 long years – my party has been in opposition. It could only say, it could not do. Today, we are charged with the deep responsibility of government. Today, enough of talking – it is time now to do.”
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