Many Britons welcome the lower-key approach of the new British leader, Gordon Brown who has offered no emotive sound bites, no promises of tough new laws and no talk of a "war on terror".

In contrast to his predecessor, Tony Blair, Brown has offered no emotive sound bites, no promises of tough new laws and no talk of a "war on terror" since the failed attacks in London and Glasgow.

Instead, the stern Scot's few public statements have been somber, measured and brief.

Many Britons welcome the change, saying the lower-key approach may better reassure a rattled nation and prevent racial tensions from exploding.

"We need to be calm about it," said Duncan Walls (64),a retired lawyer walking through London on "critical" terror  alert after Friday's failed double car bombing and Saturday's fiery Jeep attack on Glasgow airport.

"I'm glad to say the abrasiveness of Blair and  (former Home Secretary John) Reid, in particular, is no longer evident," he added.

Brown's measured response to the attacks has won praise from allies and foes alike.

Today, the head of the Muslim Council of Britain, Muhammad Abdul Bari, lauded Brown and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith for the "calm and reassuring tone of their responses to the recent attacks."

Nick Clegg, home affairs spokesman for the opposition Liberal Democrats, welcomed the change from "the somewhat breathless way which Tony Blair used to always rush to try to make, frankly, political points on the back of these events."

In a crisis, Blair could always be counted on for a show of emotion and a memorable turn of phrase.

After the death of Princess Diana, he extolled her as "the people's princess."