Your e-mails: Gordon Brown

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LONDON, England (CNN) -- He is the longest-serving chancellor of the exchequer the UK has had in 200 years, and he was Tony Blair's right-hand man during the last three election wins for the Labour party, but is Gordon Brown the best man to take over as British prime minister?

CNN asked readers what they think of Brown, the frontrunner in the race to become the new PM. Below is a selection of their responses, some of which have been edited for length and clarity:

Condescending.... Mismanaged the legacy of a strong economy, mis-sold gold, increased government borrowing and is not a statesman.... Could he run Britain? Domestically yes, but he will lose the next election.
Ian French, Netherlands

The lack of competing candidates to Gordon Brown for the UK premiership clearly demonstrates the political and intellectual bankruptcy of the Labour Party.
John Swift, South Africa

I think Britain is heading back to "dourness" and a closed mentality if Gordon Brown is voted in as next PM.
Marianne, UK

Oh what a bunch of hot air! Give the guy a break, he hasn't even been elected yet. He may, or may not, be the best thing for the UK, but who knows? Let's find out.
Mark Miller, France

I am very impressed by Mr. Gordon Brown's speech. He will be a very caring prime minister and I am very confident that over time he will win over the vast majority of the British electorate and become the most popular and longest serving British prime minister likely to beat the record of his colleague and outgoing Prime Minister Tony Blair. The Conservatives may remain in the political wilderness for a long time.
Dr. K.Y. Chan, Singapore

I already like this man: his clarity of thoughts, assertiveness and obvious sincerity is commendable. In his interview, he did not give us one of those "political" answers that let you conclude the person is lying. He said it as he felt it. You know when deceit is present in a statement. I didn't see deceit there.

His decision to adopt a collaborative approach will see him through. People don't always have to know what to do but when they listen to people, solutions are imminent because they feel the pulse of the societies.

Gordon Brown is someone people should watch out for even if he doesn't win. Perhaps, he hadn't been in the limelight because there was no need. He seems to be more interested in serving. Why should he be in the cameras to serve?

Britons better vote him.
Esther Okwuoma Agbo, Nigeria

Gordon Brown is the right man for the job, because I am pretty sure he has learned from his predecessor's mistakes. For that he'll try his level best to meet the standard.
Albert Betu, Australia

10 out of 10 for reading the pre-prepared speech ..and 10 out of 10 for complete insincerity! He makes Bush's rhetoric sound good by comparison!
Mike, California, U.S.

I think Gordon Brown will make a good prime minister. The current anti-life we have now is terrorism, and I see Gordon's enthusiasm to fighting terrorism and making UK a better place, I am very optimistic about that.
Emeka, Nigeria

I think that Gordon Brown will be a good prime minister for Britain considering the fact that he is not going to partner with President Bush to continue the terror he created, supported by Tony Blair, the outgoing prime minister.
Juliet Okorie

I believe Mr. Brown would make a good prime minister considering his devotion to Africa and other poor regions of the world. To distance himself from the unpopular and unnecessary war in Iraq.
OLuonye Ubaka, Nigeria

Let's now kill the spin that Gordon Brown is a great chancellor. He's been a lucky chancellor who allowed 10 years of house price inflation to support an explosion in consumer lending, which in turn led to a booming economy. At the same time he has committed future governments to high tax regimes to pay for off-balance sheet wheezes like PFI. These chickens are beginning to fall out of the sky now.

There's a principle in business that accountants don't normally make good CEOs. Why should Gordon Brown be the exception?

And can anyone believe he won't interfere in the running of the Treasury throughout his term?
Andrew Shearman, UK

I think Gordon Brown will be a better prime minister than Tony Blair. He has an excellent record as finance minister. He knows how to manage the country's finance; I wish we had a growth like that in the Netherlands.

If Britain doesn't want him, we Europeans need him to help generate some similar growth with us: Gordon for Brussels!
Winston Zarks, The Netherlands

Gordon Brown would never be voted in as prime minister by the people. He's had a charisma by-pass and has as much presence as a turnip.
Mike, California, U.S.