Newspapers and political commentators saw the battle of wits over the budget between the chancellor and his 39-year-old rival as a glimpse of Britain's political future, without Blair.

"A commanding premier-in-waiting. A deft young opponent. This was a preview of the future of British politics -- and above all it was the day Blair became an irrelevance," wrote Peter Oborne, political editor of the weekly Spectator magazine, in a comment piece in the Daily Mail.

Jonathan Freedland of the left-leaning Guardian newspaper described the exchange as "the shape of political things to come".

Brown pressed the need to spend rather than cut taxes, while Cameron attacked the chancellor's perceived failings in areas such as health and debt.

"Gordon Brown yesterday set out his stall as Britain's prime minister in waiting," wrote James Blitz of the Financial Times, adding: "The chancellor spelt out the terms on which he wants to fight David Cameron."

While the newspapers were packed with references to Brown as the premier-to-be they were not all applauding such a prospect.

The Daily Telegraph, a right-wing broadsheet, accused the finance minister of being out of touch with reality -- painting too rosy a picture of Britain's economy, while glossing over the problems, such as slowing economic growth.

It also attacked Brown's socialist conviction that more government spending improves the country.

"Before long he is likely to be our prime minister. He will then be free to pursue the idea without restraint," the newspaper said.