Brown's ideas on key policies

May 9 - Chancellor Gordon Brown is expected to take over from Prime Minister Tony Blair by July when the leader steps down after 10 years in power.

Following are Brown's ideas in some key policy areas:

ECONOMY

Brown has been chancellor since 1997 and markets have little to fear from a Brown premiership because economic policy is likely to remain unchanged. He has pledged to keep the tightest lid on public spending growth in a decade and announced cuts in the headline corporation and income tax rates to come in next year.

IRAQ

Brown has always publicly backed the Iraq war and accepted responsibility for going to war as a Cabinet decision. Nevertheless, he will be anxious to draw a line under the conflict -- perhaps the biggest reason for the government's unpopularity -- and has pledged to reduce troop numbers when possible.

One option would be to back U.S. Democrat calls for a faster troop reduction in the expectation the Democrats will take over the White House in 18 months. Afghanistan remains a similar problem.

THE UNITED STATES

Blair has come under fire for his unstinting support of the Bush administration. Brown is likely to have a slightly cooler approach but disappoint those who feel Britain needs to be more anti-Bush. He has often said anti-Americanism is a mistake.