by Kevin Theakston for History & Policy
Contemporary journalists regularly assert that British ex-prime ministers never go on to better things; their best times are behind them. They are wrong.
There may not be a clear or established role for former British prime ministers, but Gordon Brown can be reassured that they have done plenty of worthwhile, interesting and significant things in the years after they have left Number 10.
He may also be reassured that success or failure while in Number 10 does not predict what may come afterwards. Some prime ministers with short and unsuccessful stints in office have gone on to have lengthy and successful post-Number 10 careers.
What they do after they leave office has always depended on their personal choices and on circumstances, including the reactions and attitudes of still-active politicians and of political parties to the former political and governmental leader.
From the 18th century onwards fourteen prime ministers have 'come back' and served in the governments of later administrations and under other prime ministers - over a quarter of our prime ministers.
This role seems an unlikely one for Brown, who has said that he does not want to take up lucrative business positions and would prefer to do charity or voluntary sector work.
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