Sarah Brown sweeps into Twitterati elite

SHE was once the private, retiring consort to a nation's leader, but can now count on nearly five times as many supporters than there are members of the party led by her husband.

Sarah Brown, once the awkward political spouse seemingly unsure of her role, has become one of Britain's most popular Twitter users.

More than 776,000 people currently follow the updates of the Prime Minister's wife, exceeding the avid fanbase of one of the nation's foremost wits, Stephen Fry.

Mrs Brown only signed up to the micro-blogging site in March, but her regular comments at "SarahBrown10" have fast become a favourite, with popular television presenters such as Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand also unable to compete with her following.

Her popularity on the social networking site would have been unthinkable only two years ago, when Mrs Brown was as almost silent figure, often the subject of cruel jibes over her image.

Now, she works tirelessly for numerous charities promoting women's issues, children's rights and health, has guest-edited glossy magazines, and rubs shoulders at events with celebrities such as the supermodel Naomi Campbell.

The change in Mrs Brown's public persona – which can be traced back to her impassioned speech in defence of her husband at last year's Labour Party conference – has led some commentators to ask whether she is "the most astute politician left in new Labour".

Some aides in Downing Street call Mrs Brown, 45, a "real asset" for Labour, and speculation is mounting that the party could benefit from her rising profile.

Ross Furlong, an online public relations expert, said: "In political terms, Sarah Brown's rise on Twitter could be significant.

"Although the content is deliberately not party political, she is effectively pressing voter flesh online, as she did in person at the Glenrothes by-election to great effect."

Kerry McCarthy, Labour's recently appointed new media campaign spokeswoman, said she mentions Mrs Brown when extolling the virtues of Twitter to technophobe MPs.

She said: "I always use Sarah as an example; how to mix up serious and light things; how you can use Twitter to communicate a serious message."

She added: "Sarah's very aware of the need to protect Gordon and not say anything damaging … she will use her position to have some clout on some issues and for changing people's perceptions of Labour politicians."

Yesterday, Mrs Brown, a psychology graduate who co-founded a public relations firm before meeting her husband, tweeted about attending the G20 dinner in Pittsburgh in the "lovely environment" of an organic farm, as well as urging followers to sign up to the "Million Mums" campaign against mortality in childbirth.

Since joining the site six months ago, she has sent out 1,162 tweets. Yesterday she said she was introduced to Twitter by a friend after expressing a wish to "open up the details of what I do without wanting to sign up to a big commitment like writing a regular blog".

"Twitter works for me as a great way of sharing details of campaigns I am working on and providing better transparency about how I spend my days," Mrs Brown said.

Mr Furlong added: "It's a way of going around the constituency and shaking people's hands, but in front of a huge audience."

Not all of Mrs Brown's tweets, however, are directly linked to good causes. The eclectic range of issues she has written about include cinema trips, home baking, baby strawberries, and even ironing.

The daily round of G20 dinners, bees and Raith Rovers games

"ATTENDED the start of the G20 in Pittsburgh with reception in a conservatory and dinner on an organic farm – lovely environments."

"Late back from screening of a breathtaking and eyeopening film on depletion of world fish stocks."

"Lovely family day avoiding the rain which has now come to Scotland (now that the schools are back I don't suppose kids here mind)."

"Went to a gorgeous wedding yesterday held outside under a canopy of trees – love happy occasions like that."

"Spent the morning with inspiring grp of doctors, midwives & anaesthetists talking about their role in saving mothers and infants lives."

"Our great garden excitement is actual tiny strawberries appearing."

"Showed bee campaigners the Downing Street garden bee friendly plants and bee boxes – examples of how anyone can help bees thrive.'

"Not long back from the treat of the weekend at Balmoral Castle in Scotland"

"Just back from respectable draw for Raith Rovers at the start of new season against Dundee."

"Another spectacular sunny day in Fife – for anyone on holiday still it could be a good day for a walk along the gorgeous coastal path."