Gordon Brown may be less sought-after by City headhunters than his first secretary. But the good news for the prime minister, should he be cast out of Downing Street next year, is that he can expect a warm welcome as an after-dinner speaker, earning up to £100,000 an hour in the US.

Mr Brown is thought likely to take up an educational role, perhaps as a political lecturer at a US university. He may also continue to pursue his interest in global development issues.