In a forceful speech to Labour's annual conference, the 55-year-old chancellor of the exchequer stuck by controversial foreign policy stances of incumbent Tony Blair, including Iraq, and vowed to uphold London's "special relationship" with Washington.
But in urging the party to adapt to current and future demands -- and possibly underlining that he will not just be a less charismatic Blair clone -- he warned that "new politics" were required.
The speech was well received by the party and also by bookmakers, with William Hill immediately cutting odds on Mr Brown taking over the leadership from 4/11 to 2/7 favourite, saying he was "very sure-footed and very confident."
Charm offensive
Polls have suggested the British public is yet to be convinced Mr Brown is the right man for the top job, particularly after reported rifts with Mr Blair over the succession.
But after praising Blair as "the most successful ever Labour leader and Labour prime minister", Mr Brown told the 12,000 delegates his long political experience put him in the best position to govern.
Mr Brown also issued a reminder that his key role in the centre-left "New Labour" party he and Mr Blair created in the mid-1990s also made him best-placed to see off the challenge from the main opposition Conservatives, resurgent under new leader David Cameron.
Seen by many as a dour Scot with a reputation for hard work and prudence in all things, Mr Brown has been on a charm offensive here to persuade Labour members and the electorate that he is fit to lead.
To counter claims he is distant and unapproachable, Brown -- the father of two young boys and son of a church minister -- gave an insight into his background, explaining he saw politics as a "service to help people change their lives".
Positioning himself firmly in the progressive centre, Brown stressed the need for continuity, but adapting policy to meet the demands of the modern world, indicating his leadership would not see a lurch back to the left.
International vision
In foreign policy, Mr Brown said renewal would be founded on the need for "global co-operation in the fight against terrorism" and not anti-Americanism, recognising the world's shared values of liberty, democracy and justice.
Borrowing Mr Blair's call last month for a combination of "soft power" and military means to defeat extremism, he said there was a need to engage with majority moderate elements to win "the battle of ideas for hearts and minds".
On the Middle East, Brown urged support for Blair and Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett's plans for a political and economic plan to underpin a lasting peace and implementing plans to tackle global poverty.