UKPOL.CO.UK

Category: Speeches

  • Gordon Brown – 2009 Podcast on Harnessing the Power of Technology

    Gordon Brown – 2009 Podcast on Harnessing the Power of Technology

    The text of the podcast made by Gordon Brown, the then Prime Minister, on 5 December 2009.

    All our lives are being transformed by the digital revolution.

    For many the internet and mobile phones are now seen as indispensible as electricity, gas and water.

    And the wealth of information instantly available – literally at our fingertips – is giving you enormous power over the choices you make for you and your families. Whether it is where to do the weekly shop; which utility company to use; or who insures your car.

    And in this new world, you rightly want a bigger say and more accountability in all the decisions that affect you.

    Rightly, you also demand more control over public services – and the same level, the high standards, that you expect as consumers on the high street.

    And that is why this government will ensure that each citizen has new guarantees and new rights: for example the personal guarantee that you will see a cancer specialist within two weeks and the guarantee that your son or daughter will have one-to-one tuition if they need it in English and Maths.

    And in these challenging times it is vital that we protect those front line services which we all pay for, which we all value, and on which we all rely.

    We value them because they are always there to teach our children; look after us when we are sick; and protect us from harm. They are part of our everyday lives but we should never take them for granted.

    This is not a time for reckless experiments. We will harness the power of technology to further improve our hospitals, schools and police forces at the front line.

    But the power of technology also allows us to secure better value for money. Already some GPs send text messages to remind people of upcoming appointments. This is helping the NHS save a substantial amount of the £600 million annual cost of missed appointments.

    We are committed to giving parents of secondary school pupils guaranteed online access so they can see what their child is learning and how they are getting on – saving the cost of expensive materials.

    There’s evidence to show that using online instead of sending paper through the post can save councils £12 a time; and using it instead of the phone up can save up to £3.30 a time.

    Switching services online also frees up more staff to provide personal support and advice – including face-to-face, where it is most needed.

    The opportunities for enhanced services and better value for money are enormous. So over the next five years we will make as many services as we can available to you online. And this has the potential to save at least £400 million a year.

    It all means that you get a better service and the costs are kept down – so you win as taxpayers and users of public services.

    And we are going to help more people to get online. There are now 6,000 public places with internet access in England, including every library, where there are more than 30,000 terminals, many community and adult education centres; and even some pubs.

    But clearly some people are still excluded. So we will reach out particularly to mothers, older people, the unemployed and those who lack skills to ensure that they can use all the facilities that will be available. The savings we will make in this way are considerable but we will also need to do more.

    And in the pre-budget report this week we will tell you how we will make the further savings needed to protect our front line services; cut the budget deficit and go for growth.

    As always, our decisions will reflect our deepest values of fairness and responsibility. That is why we have raised the top rate of tax on those earning in excess of £150,000 in order to pay down the deficit and contribute to public services.

    We are proud of what we have achieved over the past 12 years. And we are proud of the real help we’ve given people over the past 12 months.

    But we will not sit back. And next week we will set out our bold and radical plans for ensuring a fairer, prosperous and sustainable future for Britain.

  • Gordon Brown – 2009 Speech to Christian Tea Party

    Gordon Brown – 2009 Speech to Christian Tea Party

    The speech made by Gordon Brown, the then Prime Minister, on 7 December 2009.

    At the centre of our society, perhaps more so than any other country I know in Western Europe, is the belief that churches and faith have a role. At the centre of our society is the belief that the legitimate public debate is how we interpret our Christian values and our faiths to make for a better society. At the centre of that is also a sense that families are important. What we can do to support family life in this country is absolutely crucial.

    While there may be controversies about individual issues, where I am happy to join the debate and look at anything that people think needs to be changed to make for a better society, let us not forget that this is a country where the Christian values that were so important over all the centuries are still right at the centre of our national life. Never forget that, when we are reading newspapers or watching television, whatever you see day to day, there are issues far more important than the day-to-day coverage of individual events. They are the basic values that underpin our society.

    Of all the faiths of the world, each one of them has at its centre this sense that we have responsibility to other people. We have a duty to treat people fairly and are our brothers’ and sisters’ keeper. That is as true for what we do in our local neighbourhoods and communities as it is for the duties that we owe to people in the poorest parts of the world.

    All of us, in our own different ways, for the largest of causes, can make a difference by what we do as individuals. As climate change, debt relief or tackling poverty prove, it is not about leaders and politicians, or people who are an elite or separate from ordinary people. It is about all of us doing this together.

  • Gordon Brown – 2009 Speech to the British Racing Drivers’ Club

    Gordon Brown – 2009 Speech to the British Racing Drivers’ Club

    The speech made by Gordon Brown, the then Prime Minister, on 7 December 2009.

    Prime Minister:

    Ladies and gentlemen, let me say first of all what a great pleasure it is to be here today. Indeed, it is a great privilege to be here today. The first person I want to thank is the President of the British Racing Drivers’ Club for all the work he does not only on behalf of motor racing, but on behalf of Britain. Damon Hill, thank you very much for everything that you do. I want to acknowledge here a very good friend of mine who has done a huge amount, not just in Britain but in every part of the world, to promote sport: Sir Jackie Stewart. Jackie, thank you for everything that you do. There is another champion here who has done so much over so many years for the sport, and is seen as a legendary figure right across the country, Stirling Moss. It is a great pleasure to have you here today, and to thank you for everything that you do.

    It is a particular privilege for me to be here on the day when we are announcing that Silverstone, the first racing track to have a world championship race in 1950, will now have for another seventeen years the British Grand Prix. I believe that all those who have contributed to that success and to that announcement today deserve our praise. It puts Britain right at the centre of world racing for seventeen years to come. Thank you all for what you’ve achieved.

    Now it is a particular honour and privilege to be back for the second year running, to be able to say that we have a British world champion in motor racing, and to say how proud not only those who are sportsmen and sportswomen feel, but how proud our whole country feels. Motor racing is one of the sports. Since I was young, I have followed the fortunes of Jim Clark, and then Stirling Moss, and then Graham Hill, and then Jackie Stewart; more recently, James Hunt, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill – all the great motor racing drivers that we have had, and there are many more.

    What motor racing does is combine the great sporting talent of individuals, who are the drivers themselves, with the brilliant teamwork for which Britain is famous as well: the engineering and the team genius that makes up for a successful motor racing team.

    Jenson Button had probably one of the most difficult starts to a season that a driver could ever have had. He had to fight back against the loss of his team to start with. He took a salary cut. He fought back, and then had a brilliant start to the season, and then went on to win at the Brazilian motor racing championship, the World Championship, for the first time. Jenson, we are so proud of everything that you have achieved.

    We are proud of the brilliant boys at Brawn winning the Constructors’ Championship too. For many years, Formula 1 has been a beacon of the UK’s engineering and innovation capabilities. That is why we are so proud of everything that is achieved. Jenson and Lewis Hamilton will be working together next year, and to be able to say today that we have a world champion in whom we have so much pride, who fought back against all the odds, who achieved something when some people thought at the beginning of the season it was impossible: Jenson, the whole country is proud of you, and I ask you to come to the stage to receive the trophy, the Richard Seaman trophy. You are a brilliant ambassador for British sport, and I thank you for what you are doing.

  • Jim Murphy – 2009 Webchat on Scotland’s Future in the United Kingdom

    Jim Murphy – 2009 Webchat on Scotland’s Future in the United Kingdom

    The text of the webchat with Jim Murphy, the then Secretary of State for Scotland, on 8 December 2009.

    Quintin Oliver: Sitting here in Belfast, and pondering a Scottish referendum on independence (however unlikely), where would separation leave Ulster Unionism? Cleaving to England alone? or maintaining the East-West link and waving yet more Saltires over here?

    Jim replies: Hello Quintin

    Thanks for your message.

    Support for Scotland staying part of the UK has increased in recent months. It seems that the longer the current administration in the Scottish Government are in power the lower the support for their policy of separation becomes. If there were ever to be a referendum the polls show that most Scots support Scotland remaining part of the Union. So your concerns about Scotland’s place in the UK are shared by most Scots.

    john paterson: Can you please tell me why on earth we still have a Scotland Minister and what does the role entail, given we have a Scottish Government? thank you

    Jim replies: We made a mistake in making the job of Secretary of State for Scotland a part time role. Wales and Northern Ireland have full time Cabinet Ministers and Scotland is no less important than Wales and Northern Ireland. At a time of the recession it is crucial that Scotland has a voice in the Cabinet speaking up for Scotland. But ultimately it’s not for me to decide the value of the role. It’s for the people of Scotland. They will be the judge.

    JIM LAMB: I would like to see Scotland along with Wales And Northern Ireland.Go COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT from England.That means that they pay thier own pensions,social security payments,medical care,education.EVERYTHING A independent country has to pay for it’s OWN people.A mirgration system set up that a visa would have to be sort for people that want to live or work in England.But would exclude any unemployment or social bennifits. All health care would have to be paid for.This would apply to ALL imigrants to England.The English people are fed up of having to pay taxes to countries in this so called United Kingdom,that want independece,but still want billions of assistance from England.What free education does Scotland boast about,when the English pay for it?And when Scots go to English uni’s they get it free.When English students go to uni’s in Scotland they have to pay.That is rubbish and needs to stop.The English people want to be COMPLETLY INDEPENDENT,the United Kingdom needs to be disbanded as soon as possible.James A Lamb.

    Jim replies: Thanks for getting in touch James but I don’t agree with your view. The Union of the United Kingdom is a great success and has seen us through difficult times in the past. At these difficult economic times we are stronger together. The UK is the most successful Union of Nations in the world and despite the cultural differences we still have so much in common. We are better together and our best days can still be ahead of us.

    Ulysses: Why not have a devolved Parliament for the English?

    Jim replies: That’s up to the people in the regions of England and we had a referendum on regional assemblies in the North East of England and they voted no. So that hasn’t gone any further.

    Sam Harpendon: Isn’t there a tension in your white paper where on one hand further powers are being offered to Holyrood, but on another hand, you’re also seeking to take back a number of powers? What’s the message there?

    Jim replies: Thanks Sam.  The aim is to have the power exercised where it makes most sense. So we propose more financial powers for Edinburgh and further devolution in certain areas. You are also right to say some things are better being done again at a UK level which is why we are “re-reserving” them. The full list of proposed changes can be found at the Scotland Office website

    Ian Gordon: If Scotland does separate from the rest of the UK, will you take back all the Scottish MPs who were assigned to seats in the rest of the UK just because they were safe seats?

    Jim replies: Ian – Thanks.  My view is that most people north or south of the border don’t really decide about someone in business, politics or any other fields based on whether you are Scottish or English. There are 400,000 English people in Scotland and I think 800,000 Scots in England. Both countries are better because of that.

    kenn: Hi Jim With the PMs announce on Monday that more frontline services are to be available online, what investments are planned to resolve lagging Scottish broadband infrastructure in rural areas to ensure we can avail of these services? – Kenn

    Jim replies: Kenn – I was asked about this in the Commons recently and said that no one should be excluded from super-fast broadband because of geography or income. More information on government plans can be found at the Digital Britain website

    ross mclean: DO YOU THINK IT’S OKAY TO LOCK CHILDREN UP IN DUNGAVEL? WHAT IS THE UK GOVERNMENT DOING TO END THIS SICKENING PRACTICE?

    Jim replies: Ross. This is an important issue.  I have previously said that no one gets involved in politics to lock families up which is why we are trying to do something different by encouraging families to return home voluntarily. I hope that this is successful. But as I said when I announced this new approach there is a difficult issue about what you do about those people who simply refuse to leave the UK.

    Adam Lipman: Why should Scotland leave the union? Do you not believe it is beneficial for the whole country, not just Scotland, to stay together. After all the investment and subsidies the UK as a whole has put into Scotland, you want to leave when time get a little tough. I heard Alex talking about North Sea oil? one trillion pounds worth. The UK, not Scotland, pumped huge amounts of money into exploration and drilling for this oil. Why does Scotland deserve this when it is just about to dry up? Does your party only focus on the 5 million people who live just over the border, who have been treated very well since the union was formed or do they even consider the 50 million souls just south of the border? We must stay together in an ever changing world for many reasons!!

    Jim replies: Adam – I agree. I think that we all benefit from the four nations of the UK sticking together. We have so much in common and can achieve so much together in good times and in the more difficult economic times that we are now in. It makes sense economically and socially. Most Scots agree and I think most people across the UK know it is a good thing.

    Jack Thompson: How will the Calman recommendations protect Scottish banking? Scottish banks are regulated from London, not Scotland and nothing in these proposals change that.

    Jim replies: The crisis in banking isn’t caused by the constitutional arrangements of the UK, but by a failure in regulation. But what is clear is that it was only through the support of the British taxpayer that the Royal Bank and  Bank of Scotland were saved. If Scotland had been independent, people accept these banks would have broken an independent Scotland.

    Alistair Cook: Progressive politics should take power to the people. Why not more Devolved power? Devolution should be for people not a party.

    Jim replies: Alistair – We do propose more power to be devolved and I would like to go further in giving more power to the people on control over their public services. Power shouldn’t just be about election times.

    Jack Thompson: Are you saying that the people of Scotland will be able to elect their Secretary of State for Scotland or, decide for themselves if they even want the post? I know this is not a question on the White Paper but, I’ll take what I’m given.

    Jim replies: Jack I don’t think we are about to directly elect a Secretary of State for Scotland. It’s really only Presidents and Mayors that are directly elected and that isn’t the system we have for our Cabinet-based system, either in the UK or Scottish Government.

    Jack Thompson: One of the recommendations of the Calman Commission is to increase respect between Westminster and Holyrood. To date, you and your Government have spent a considerable amount of time putting down the SNP Government; in fact you spent most of your speech on this paper disparaging the SNP showing more respect to the Conservatives than to the SNP. Does this mean that your Government will show a greater deal of respect to the current Scottish Government? If so, how

    Jim replies: I want a better relationship with the Scottish Government but it takes two willing parties and often that doesn’t happen. The Calman Commission suggested a better way of doing this and I think we should make progress. The public won’t forgive politicians who squabble in the same old way during the recession. So I think things should improve.

    Jack Thompson: Thank you for that answer but, that means all of your arguments about staying together mean that when London experiences a serious market failure like the recession we all lose. How would these proposals help Scotland weather another economic storm?

    Jim replies: The RBS was the biggest bank  in the world and it was saved by taxpayers in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. The Calman Commission isn’t a plan to prevent global recession but it is a way of giving more power to the Scottish Parliament and having a much more accountable Parliament in Edinburgh.

    Jack Thompson: The Government plans on reducing expenditure to Scotland by the same amount as the 10 pence on the pound tax plans raise or lower. Does that not mean that the tax raising powers are in fact worthless as ANY Scottish Government as they can only reduce the income in garners as opposed to raising more than the rest of the UK?

    Jim replies: Jack, the Chancellor will make his announcements tomorrow in the Pre-budget Report but the new powers are about making the Parliament more accountable. At the moment the Scottish Parliament simply spends the money that the UK Government gives to it. In future it will have to decide on the size of its own budget. And because the decisions on the economy in Scotland taken by the Scottish government will impact on the tax income then there is a double accountability. 1. Accountable for a tax decision. 2. Accountable for economic decisions which affect employment and income through tax for the government.

    Adan Lipman: why should we have a union. Does Scotland cost the UK as a whole (England specifically) more than it produces? Subsidies etc?

    Jim replies: We all benefit in different ways from the Union of the United KIndom. The way in which public spending in the UK is decided is, as you know, through the Barnett formula and that has led to a 62 per cent real terms increase in government investment over the past decade in public services. However it is more expensive to run public services in Scotland. Scotland has only 10 per cent of the UK population but a third of the land mass and this is just one of the reasons why the services are more difficult to run in Scotland.

    Sally: Why are you delaying taking forward the recommendations from the Calman Commission? Even Kenneth Calman said it could be done quickly and easily.

    Jim replies: Sally.  Thanks for your question.  We are not delaying the work on Calman. We have produced our White Paper. The entire redesign of the way in which tax is paid in Scotland is an intricate issue which will require a huge amount of very detailed legal and technical work which we are now looking at. We are committed to introducing a Scotland Bill in the Commons early in the new Parliament.

    Ross McLean: Jim – you haven’t done anything about child detention. I read this weekend about a ten year old girl locked up. That can’t be right under any circumstances. Can you act before the General Election to make something happen. It’s just not right.

    Jim replies: Ross. We are trying to do things differently so that’s not a fair accusation. But in government you have got to try to design a system which provides help and support to those who need it. In an immigration process it’s inevitable that some people will be refused permission to stay. The big question is how do you support those who are willing to return home voluntarily and that is what we are trying to do. But the difficult question is what do you do in a  situation where someone just point blank refuses to leave the UK.

    Jack Thompson: Do you think that you can get all of the proposals in the White Paper through before the next General Election? As we all know Parliament’s time is running out, can you realistically make it?

    Jim replies: Jack – One question at a time!

    We won’t get it all through by the general election. We can make progress on better working relationships between the UK and Scottish Parliaments. I have met the Speaker of the Commons and the presiding Offcer of the Scottish Parliament about all of this.

    On the financial powers, that will require a lot more work, and we will work hard on that. As I mentioned earlier we will introduce legislation to put our Calman plans into law after the general election.

    Thanks to everyone for all their questions. Got to go now. Happy to try this again in the future.

    Jim.

  • Gordon Brown – 2009 Hanukah Message

    Gordon Brown – 2009 Hanukah Message

    The message issued by Gordon Brown, the then Prime Minister, on 11 December 2009.

    As Britain’s Jewish community joins Jews all over the world in celebrating Hanukah I wanted to pass on my own warm wishes for this festival of lights. As you gather round the menorah, may you draw strength from the Hanukah story of how light and faith can endure the toughest of times.

    The story of Hanukah has been passed from generation to generation for thousands of years – may it be retold to bring hope for thousands of years to come.

  • Gordon Brown – 2009 Webchat on Afghanistan

    Gordon Brown – 2009 Webchat on Afghanistan

    The text of the webchat with Gordon Brown on Afghanistan on 14 December 2009.

    The Prime Minister took part in a live webchat this morning – his first on the Number 10 website – on the issue of building a stable Afghanistan.

    The PM’s webchat follows his weekend visit to Afghanistan where he met British forces and held talks with President Karzai.

    Read the transcript:

    Moderator says: Good morning. Welcome to the webchat. The Prime Minister will be joining us very shortly.

    Sue Pritchard: The history of the region tells us that external interventions do not create, let alone sustain, stability, peace or prosperity. What’s different this time?

    Gordon replies: Hello, Gordon Brown here.  I returned in the early hours of this morning from visiting British troops in Afghanistan.  As we approach Christmas I wanted to thank them for their courageous service and to tell them that the people back home were in awe of their acheivements.

    To answer your question Sue, we know that the Taleban do not have the support of the Afghan people.  And above all we know that a stable Afghanistan means a safer Britain.  So the question is whether we can help the Afghan people build a stable, democratic and prosperous future – so it is right to train their forces, police and security services so they can take control of the security of their country for themselves.

    stacey hemming: I know there is a lot of negative press and views regarding Afghan, with pressure to be pulled out. My husband is currently serving over there and I just want to say that I’m proud and don’t want them to be pulled out until the job is finished. Like many, we don’t want the losses we have suffered to be for nothing. I support you, I support our forces. It would be nice if you would stand tall and tell everyone that your not backing down and we will finish the job and do our fallen soldiers proud.

    Gordon replies: Stacey, I don’t know if I have met your husband but he is clearly a brave and dedicated man who is making an important contribution to this important mission.  We have a job to do to destroy the attempt by Al Qaeda to attack the streets of Britain and to prevent the Taleban from offering them safehaven in Afghanistan.  We have just stepped up the number of forces dedicated to this job and are now training the Afghan forces so they can take on the role of maintaining the security.  We will never forget the sacrifice of those who have given their lives.

    hanif rehman: Plz say a thank you to the troops. Secondly, has the PM thought of spending more on infrastructure i.e.schools and roads rather than sending more troops. Or does he feel constrained by level of corruption in Afg?

    Gordon replies: Hanif

    We’re doing both.  Our military and our civilian stabilisation advisors are working very closely together.  There are double the amount of health services in Helmand than 3 years ago and more than a hundred schools open in Helmand, over half in the last year.

    On corruption, President Karzai has given me and the international community assurances that he will work to tackle corruption and at the London Conference on Jan 28th next year we will be asking him for updates on progress.  Of course it is about delivery not just words and we will be vigilant in seeking action.

    khasail: How did you come to the decision of sending more troops into afghanistan in the middle of a recesion?

    Gordon replies: Some of you have asked similar questions so to answer, the terrorist threat to the UK is real.  We cannot allow the Taleban to again give space to Al Qaeda to operate in Afghanistan.  This is not a conflict of choice, it is about necessity.  And all 43 nations of the coalition agree.  Our additional 500 troops will be complemented by more than 35000 from the US and other countries.  It is vital that our troops have the resources to do the job at hand.

    Ben Blankley: Can there ever be a military solution that will stop the 1 in 4 Afghan children dying before their fifth birthday?

    Gordon replies: Already the child mortality rate has been cut.  The estimate is that now 100,000 children under 5 who would have otherwise died are now kept alive by better healthcare.  This is because of British and other international countries paying for programmes to immunise children, to pay nurses, midwives and doctors and to make healthcare sustainable.

    Glen Oglaza Sky News: Since Afghanistan is and always has been “tribal”, training Afghan army and police recruits who are mostly Tajik will not hold sway with the majority Pushtuns so How can the NATO effort stop the country simply sliding back into the old ways of rival warlords and the re-emergence of the Taliban? And was President Obama wrong to give an exit date – and a date for the Taliban to take back control?

    Gordon replies: I met Afghan troops being trained by British troops in Helmand yesterday.  They came from every region of Afghanistan and showed it is possible to build a national army that is both professional and united.  They are ready to take on the Taleban and the Afghan army will rise in number to 135,000 over the next year.  And I discussed this very issue with the President of Afghanistan and the defence minister who are committed to this strategy.

    The issue is the Afghan army, security forces and police gradually taking control and it is at that point that our forces can start to come home.

    Sarah Taylor: In reply to Hanif Rehman, I am the wife of a Royal Engineer and I can assure you that he is kept very busy in Afghanistan by helping the infrastructure. Recently completing an access road which will allow local people to travel more freely to and from school.

    Gordon replies: Thank you for that Sarah.  This is vital work and I’m very proud that your husband has made such a big contribution to the future of Aghanistan.

    Jim Aldus: Until quite recently, your government has been saying that the troops have had all the equipment they need or have asked for to do the job in Afghanistan. If that’s the case, why is more specialised equipment being sent to deal with roadside IEDs that have been used by the Taliban since before the invasion?

    Gordon replies: Jim

    We are always adjusting to the threat that is posed to our forces by getting the best equipment to deal with it.  Over the last year the Taleban have increasingly used explosive devices rather than fight the British army face to face where they know they would lose, and the types of devices are always changing.  So to deal with that threat we have increased our specialist forces, our electronic surveillance, our intelligence and our hand held detectors and we have dismantled around 1500 IEDs in the recent months.  It is right we respond to the threat with the best equipment.

    pedro: If the russians couldnt succeed in many years in afganistan, what makes you think that uk efforts will?

    Gordon replies: The Russians didn’t have the popular support of the people for what they were trying to do  – they were working against, not with or for the Afghan people.  Our strategy is to partner the Afghan forces and we are clear that this is not an army of occupation.

    Tom W: We can’t pull out until the job is finished, but this could result in us being in Afghanistan for decades to come, because the goal is not very clear-cut. How will you asses when the job is done?

    Gordon replies: When Afghanistan is able to run its own affairs free of the Taleban and Al Qaeda.

    Nigel F: Will you continue sending personal letters to relatives of the fallen, despite the (unfair) criticism you received?

    Gordon replies: Nigel.

    Yes I will.  And I understand the feelings who have lost loved ones and it is their concerns that are uppermost in my thoughts.

    Thomas Oliver Bromfield: As a ex serviceman,can you reassure me that all the help possible will be provided to the wounded serviceman?

    Gordon replies: Thomas, thank you for your question.  Yes, I saw the medical facilities at Camp Bastion yesterday.  The staff and the equipment are the best in the world.  I am also determined that all the care we can provide at Selly Oak and in other hospitals is the best.  I recognise the enormous sacrifice people make on behalf of our country and thank them all.

    Asli Aral: What will be the main aim/purpose of the London Afghanistan conference on Jan. 28th?

    Gordon replies: Asli

    To get more support for our Afghanistan strategy to train, mentor and partner the Afghan secuirty forces and to help the economy and people of Afghanistan to get a bigger stake in their own future.  President Karzai will bring forward his plan for the future of Afghanistan for discussion at the conference.

    tony: If all 43 nations of the coalition agree about the necessity of this war is it not time that British service personal were replaced by the service personel of another country in Helmand Province and let them have a spell of death and destruction?

    Gordon replies: Our NATO and coalition allies are offering more troops, including the US who are offering 30,000 more and around 5000 from the non-US allies.

    English: Why don’t “we” start buying the Opium? There are several reasons why they should. It would establish peaceful trade with farmers (who can grow little else), it starves the Taliban of recruits and funds, it keeps heroin off our streets, it solves the world shortage in opium. The current “strategy” of burning farmers crops only strengthens the Taliban by supplying angry ex farmers.

    Gordon replies: The UN and most people looking at this oppose this policy as they believe farmers would simply multiply the amount of opium they produce.

    Harry: When the troops leave Afghanistan, what legacy would you ideally like to leave on the Afghani people and how reachable do you think this is? Also, in terms of percentage, what population of the Afghani people do you believe are truly behind what our troops are doing in Afghanistan?

    Gordon replies: A stable Afghanistan in which the army and police can deal with security and terrorism and where the people have a stake in their future.

    Sam Ornbo: How close are we to finding Osama Bin Laden?

    Gordon replies: Sam

    In the last year 8 of the leading figures in Al Qaeda have been killed.  Al Qaeda is being seriously disrupted by the actions in Afghanistan and in Pakistan.  At present we have no specific knowledge about Osama Bin Laden but we continue to hunt him down.

    James Kirkup – Daily Telegraph: Do you have any concerns about public support for the deployment? There’s clearly very strong sympathy for Armed Forces personnel, but does it worry you that a significant proportion of the electorate appear to want a quick or even immediate withdrawal? And could signs of public unease over the mission actually embolden the Taliban and persuade them that they can break Britain’s resolve to stay?

    Gordon replies: Morale in Afghanistan amongst our troops I found to be very high indeed.  They know they are doing an important job to defeat the Taleban to help security in the UK.  I believe that when people at home see why we are there – to defeat terrorism and see our strategy to train and partner Afghan forces so we can hand over security control, they understand that we have no intention of being an army of occupation, that the mission is vital and that our forces will stay until the job is done.  The soldiers I met are very proud to be playing their part.

    Mike Naylor: When will a Government Minister meet the bodies of brave service persomnnel when they are re-patriated?

    Gordon replies: Everything Ministers do is on the advice of our service chiefs and in accordance with the wishes of the families who have lost loved ones. I try to write to every family that has suffered these tragic losses. We do indeed owe everyone who has given their life for our country and their families our thanks and gratitude. Our forces are the best in the world.

    Thank you to everyone for taking the time to send in your questions.  I am sorry I’m unable to answer more but I hope you have found it useful.

    Gordon.

  • Gordon Brown – 2009 Joint Statement with Irish Taoiseach on Northern Ireland

    Gordon Brown – 2009 Joint Statement with Irish Taoiseach on Northern Ireland

    The statement made by Gordon Brown, the then Prime Minister, on 17 December 2009.

    While work remains to be done, we are both convinced that significant progress is being made on the remaining issues concerning devolution of policing and justice and other issues still outstanding from the St Andrews Agreement.

    It is clear that all the main Northern Ireland parties support the devolution of policing and justice and want to see this happen. The Governments believe that, while there remain issues to be resolved, the parties have made substantial progress over recent months towards the transfer of policing and justice powers.

    The First and deputy First Ministers set out in November last year the steps that they both agreed needed to be taken to finalise the process. Those steps are near to completion.

    The legislation to create the model for the new Justice Department was agreed at Westminster in March. The legislation to create the new Justice Department has completed its passage through the Assembly. The process to identify the Justice Minister is now underway.

    The Prime Minister agreed a generous financial settlement in September that will ensure that a devolved Justice Department will have the resources it needs to manage particular financial pressures around, for example, hearing loss claims without detriment to front line policing and justice services. The financial package will only be available if devolution is completed in the coming months.

    Maintaining this progress and the early completion of devolution are important to sustaining public confidence across the whole community and to further enhancing Northern Ireland’s international reputation.

    This is both realistic and achievable.

    The only steps that remain in the process agreed by the First and deputy First Ministers are for the Northern Ireland parties, once the outstanding issues are resolved, to complete the process of public consultation and an Assembly vote seeking the transfer of powers.

    Once final agreement is reached by the parties, approval by Westminster of the necessary transfer orders can be achieved within a matter of weeks following a request from the Assembly. The British Government stands ready to bring forward these orders in the New Year.

    We have discussed the limited number of outstanding issues with the parties. We believe that there are no differences incapable of resolution and are optimistic the parties can find early agreement.

    We will stay in close touch with the parties as they continue discussions over the coming days.

    We believe that early completion of devolution is important. We have, therefore, asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Minister for Foreign Affairs to meet at the beginning of January to review progress towards the necessary cross community vote in the Assembly.

    While these matters can best be resolved by the Parties themselves, we remain available to help as required.

  • Gordon Brown – 2009 Message to NHS Staff

    Gordon Brown – 2009 Message to NHS Staff

    The message sent by Gordon Brown, the then Prime Minister, on 21 December 2009.

    2009 has been a tough year for us all, but your dedication and commitment has seen our cherished National Health Service rise to the challenge – and so I want to thank you for your enormous contribution to the country this year.

    Public satisfaction with the NHS is at an all time high and recently it was rated as one of the world’s best health care systems. We saw over the summer just how deeply the public love it and just how much we all appreciate your devotion to saving lives, relieving pain, preventing sickness, curing illness, caring for the old and comforting all those who have fallen in the struggle of life. As we enter the world and as we leave it, and at all those moments of trauma and transition in between, we need the workers of the NHS – and you are there.

    You make the difference between fear and hope, anxiety and security, between giving in and going on, and so often the difference between life and death. It is only thanks to you that this Government has been able to offer not a gamble but a guarantee; a legal right that anyone with suspected cancer will see a specialist within two weeks, and a future programme to introduce a new right to cancer diagnostic tests, with results, within one week. I know that this country can lead the way in fulfilling the dream of a generation; beating cancer. We can only do it because the NHS enables us to pool the resources of each of us to guarantee excellent care for all of us.

    I firmly believe that we measure a society best not by the size of its wealth but by the width of its compassion, the breadth of its care and the depths of its generosity. Ours is a country where all of these qualities are best realised in one iconic national achievement – a National Health Service based on need and not on ability to pay, a service for the whole nation that is the finest insurance policy in the world.

    As you face another Christmas sacrificing time with loved ones to serve others, let me also pay tribute to the incredibly long hours you have put in this year to confront the Swine Flu epidemic. The response of the NHS has been extraordinary and the whole country is extremely grateful.

    However deep or difficult the financial implications of the recession, my pledge to you is that we will always put the front-line first. The staff of the NHS are the backbone of our wonderful country, and we will not let you down.

  • Gordon Brown – 2009 Podcast on Copenhagen Climate Change Summit

    Gordon Brown – 2009 Podcast on Copenhagen Climate Change Summit

    The text of the podcast made by Gordon Brown, the then Prime Minister, on 21 December 2009.

    This weekend the world came together in the first step towards a new alliance to overcome the enormous challenges of climate change.

    But, as you saw, the talks in Copenhagen were not easy. And, as they reached conclusion, I did fear the process would collapse and we would have no deal at all.

    Yet, through strength of common purpose, we were able finally to break the deadlock. In a breakthrough never seen on this scale before – secure agreement from the international community.

    But this cannot be the end – in fact, it is only the beginning and we must go further still.

    To do that, we must learn lessons from Copenhagen and the tough negotiations that took place.

    Never again should we face the deadlock that threatened to pull down those talks. Never again should we let a global deal to move towards a greener future be held to ransom by only a handful of countries.

    I believe that in 2010 we will need to look at reforming our international institutions to meet the common challenges we face as a global community.

    And we’ll need to harness the best of low carbon technology for the world to continue to grow whilst keeping to our pledge made this weekend to limit the increase in global temperatures to two degrees celsius.

    I am convinced that Britain’s long term prosperity lies in leading the necessary transformation to a low carbon, greener future.

    We must become a global leader not just in financing greener technologies but in the development and manufacture of wind, tidal, nuclear and other low-carbon energy.

    And as we look towards a new decade, be assured that your government will play its part in supporting the ambitions of our entrepreneurs and leading businesses and the expertise of our scientists and engineers in making this transformation.

    For it is not just at international summits that Britain must lead the fight to tackle climate change – it’s here at home too.

    Working to protect the only planet we have is about our moral duty to our children and grandchildren.
    Like every parent, I understand we all want to see our children get on and do well in life and I believe that each generation should have greater opportunities and possibilities than the last.

    And I believe in making Britain more ambitious and in helping you to fulfil your aspirations for a better quality of life and a better standard of living.

    A fairer Britain is the driving force behind everything we do. Government is there to help people get on, not just get by.

    That’s why we have helped ensure that the past year has not been as bleak for the vast majority of you as past recessions.

    Last week we had encouraging news that as we approach Christmas, there are more people in jobs, and also that more young people are being helped through these challenging times.

    If the experience of the last recession had been repeated, unemployment would have been so much higher; repossessions twice as bad and company insolvencies two and a half times worse.

    And it’s not just the economic measures which are giving me cause for optimism.

    Crime has continued to decline – bucking the trend of every other recession when it has soared.

    Of course, there are no grounds for complacency. Challenging months and tough decisions lie ahead and we’re determined to do more.

    Jobs, apprenticeships, training and work experience will help kick start the careers of thousands of young people, giving them the confidence and self-esteem that comes with playing an active role in society.

    We’ve also guaranteed that every person on unemployment benefits for six months – whatever their age – will be £40 a week better off when moving into work.

    So our message is that we are a country of aspiration and opportunity and we as a government will support the hard-working majority and that is a government of optimism.

    We have faith in our young people, in our shared futures and in a greener, fairer Britain for all that I’ve just talked about.

    Can I take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very happy Christmas.

  • Gordon Brown – 2009 New Year’s Message for 2010

    Gordon Brown – 2009 New Year’s Message for 2010

    The message made by Gordon Brown, the then Prime Minister, on 30 December 2009.

    In his New Year message the Prime Minister has promised to continue to protect and improve Britain as it enters a new decade.

    The Government’s priorities will be to secure economic recovery, reform public services, clean up politics and continue fighting the threat of terrorism, Gordon Brown said in a podcast released today.

    The PM added that the UK would continue to step up efforts to disrupt terrorists planning to mount attacks on Britain.

    “This will have my relentless focus in 2010, just as Afghanistan will have. We will steadily be giving more control of Afghanistan to Afghan troops and police.

    On the economy, the PM said the Government’s strategy is to “go for growth”, and in his podcast he predicts that the New Year will mark the start of a “great decade for a great nation”.

    Mr Brown said the Government is determined to reduce the deficit without “choking off” the recovery or damaging frontline services.

    “Even as we take the tough decisions to halve the deficit, we can still invest in Britain’s future. I say this because 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.”

    The Prime Minister said the Government will shortly publish the first part of its plan for investment in industries and jobs for the future.

    “If we continue to make the right decisions to unleash all the talent that is to be found in these islands, we have much to look forward to – and you and your families have my warm best wishes for the year ahead.”

    The PM’s podcasts, which are available on our iTunes channel and YouTube, are recorded at Downing Street or around the world when the Prime Minister is travelling.