Tax Cuttin' Guy

And he's the socialist:

Paving the way to replace Tony Blair as Prime Minister, Gordon Brown announced a surprise cut in income tax and also promised to reduce the tax burden on companies.

The basic rate of income tax will fall by two pence in the pound to 20 per cent, while corporation tax will drop to 28 per cent from 30 per cent with effect from next year.

Mr Brown is the overwhelming favourite to succeed Tony Blair in No 10 Downing Street later this year. But today's Budget forms an essential part of his bid to win public support in the run up to a general election expected in 2009.

Polls suggest he's lagging behind Tory leader David Cameron.