OXFORD East MP Andrew Smith has praised Gordon Brown’s political achievements after the Labour leader stood down.

Mr Smith, who was returned as MP last week with an increased majority, was joined on the 2010 campaign trail by Mr Brown.

Both men served together in Tony Blair’s Cabinet, Mr Brown as Chancellor and Mr Smith as his deputy, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

Mr Smith said: “Gordon Brown has done the right thing, as I knew he would.

“He has always been well received in Oxford, and I’m pleased his last visit as Prime Minister was to the Mini plant, where we got warm and spontaneous support from the workforce.

“I am proud to have worked alongside him both in opposition and in Government. As Chancellor and Prime Minister I believe his most important and lasting legacy will be all the action taken to lift children and pensioners out of poverty, and the decisive action he took to combat global recession.”

Mr Brown visited the BMW plant in April, praising workers for helping pull the company through the recession.