In his New Year message, the Prime Minister confidently predicts that, if Labour retains power, “unemployment will start to drop this year and more small businesses will open and flourish”.

Without mentioning David Cameron’s Conservatives by name, Mr Brown nonetheless criticises them implicitly, saying: “There are some who say we must plan for a decade of austerity and unfairness, where the majority lose out while the privileged few protect themselves.

“We can create a decade of shared prosperity, with opportunities fairly shared among all those who work hard and play by the rules.”

The PM sets out his priorities for the coming year: cutting the deficit “in a sensible and fair way”; reforming public services while protecting key frontline spending; cleaning up politics and fighting terrorism in Afghanistan.

“Britain is too great a country with so much potential and people with such high aspirations, that in the coming decade we must not settle for anything less than big ambitions,” declares Mr Brown.

Later this week, he will publish his Government’s “prosperity plan for a successful, fairer and more responsible Britain”.

Meanwhile, Jim Murphy says humility should be the prime quality expressed by all UK politicians in 2010, J and calls for a “reasonable and constructive” General Election campaign.

Describing 2009 as a “political annus horribilis” tarnished by the recklessness of bankers and the arrogance of politicians, the Scottish Secretary argues that Scotland is now “in a stronger position than we were a year ago”.

“Politicians also need to recognise 2010 is a year when it would be wise to show a good degree of humility,” he says.

Alex Salmond, in his New Year message today, insists Scotland needs the political power to manage its own natural resources so it can become the energy powerhouse of Europe.

The First Minister says: “It’s important, as we move into this New Year, that the people of Scotland are given their say in making sure their Parliament can extend its powers to have the ability to mobilise the resources of Scotland for Scotland’s benefit.”