AT long last, after all the behind-the-scenes angst, Gordon Brown has been able to formally launch his bid to lead the Labour Party and become Prime Minister.

There must have been times when he thought it might never happen but, suddenly, the pieces are falling into place.

Even Peter Mandelson is falling over himself to be enthusiastic about Mr Brown's leadership credentials - so much so that the Chancellor could be forgiven for scanning his window to check for flying pigs.

Mr Brown, who has so successfully managed the economy for the past decade, has to be the right choice. He has a wealth of experience, a solid track record, and he has earned the right to lead the Labour Party and the country.

He should, however, still face a leadership contest. For all their huffing and puffing, the heavyweights have fallen by the wayside but a coronation without some form of challenge would be unhealthy.

We expect a challenge to come, it will be brushed aside, and Mr Brown will get the opportunity to put some flesh on the bones of the "new ideas and vision" he promised yesterday.

We hope he sticks to his word to listen to the people and "lead a government humble enough to know its place... on the people's side" because an arrogance and complacency has crept in which must be reversed.

There must be the greater transparency he has talked of and a fundamental realisation that, while news management has its place, excessive spin eats away at public confidence.

Gordon Brown does not have the presentational skills and the natural touchy-feely instincts of the showman, but after ten years of Tony Blair, that may be what is needed.