I HOPE the fact that Gordon Brown will be a Scotsman leading England while the SNP are in charge in his own country will not become a divisive issue.

As a Unionist, I believe that relations within the Union are strained enough without this becoming a simmering sectarian issue. Instead, I hope those who criticise him stick to his dour and uninspiring demeanour, and the fact he raided millions from our pensions which will leave millions in penury in later life.

I hope his complicit action in supporting Tony Blair's illegal Iraq war will be highlighted. I suggest his agreement that nurses will receive a two-stage pay rise in certain areas, while health staff in other areas were given it in full, will come home to roost in future elections.

I hope the fact his Budget cut the middle tax band by two per cent, thereby assisting the middle classes, only to scrap the ten per cent tax band that offered so much assistance to the less well off parts of society will be held against him.

Roll on the 2009 Euro elections when he will receive his first electoral test, given his probable unopposed elevation to the Labour leadership.

Mark Anderson, Middleton St George, near Darlington.