UKPOL.CO.UK

Tag: 2009

  • OBITUARY : Robert Key (1945-2023)

    OBITUARY : Robert Key (1945-2023)

    OBITUARY : Robert Key (1945-2023)

    Robert Key was born on 22 April 1945, the son of Maurice Key who went on to become the Bishop of Truro and Joan Dence. As a child he was educated at Salisbury Cathedral School and then Sherborne School before going to Clare College at Cambridge University. As a youngster he was walking with a group of friends when a wartime mine was detonated, killing five of the group. He told the Commons in his final Parliamentary speech in 2009:

    “On Friday 13 May 1955, when I was 10 years old, I was on Swanage beach in Dorset with some 20 other children of about the same age. We were doing what children on a beach on a Friday afternoon in May do-building sandcastles, digging holes in the sand, making dams and so on. I was building my castle with a chap called Richard Dunstan: five of my friends were digging holes, and then one of them found a tin. He thought that it was Spam, or something really exotic-yes, Spam was exotic in 1955. He was wrestling to move it, because it was lodged between two rocks. He got out a shoehorn but could not break the tin open. The boys stood back, and were seen throwing things at it.

    My friend and I got bored. We turned round. We had our backs to our friends, and were about the same distance from them as I am from you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, when there was a huge explosion. We were blown into the sea, and lived. Five of my friends died. Five British children were blown up by a British mine on a British beach, within my living memory, and the living memory of many other people. It was an extraordinary thing. It happened in the middle of the 1955 general election. The front page of the following day’s edition of The Daily Telegraph carried a story with the headline, “4 Boys Die, One Missing in Explosion”. Below that, smaller headlines stated, “Big Crater Torn in Beach” and “Wartime Mine Theory”. There was not much theory involved for the five who were killed, or for the two of us who were the luckiest people alive. I still think that I am the luckiest person alive in this House.”

    Key went on to teach economics at Harrow School between 1969 and 1983, although contested the Parliamentary constituency of Holborn and St Pancras South in 1979. He won the constituency of Salisbury in 1983 and he remained the MP until his retirement at the 2010 General Election. He made his maiden speech on 30 June 1983 focusing on technology.

    Whilst at Westminster he was supportive of those who were suffering from AIDS, becoming the chair of the all-party Aids group. He served for some years as a PPS to firstly Alick Buchanan-Smith and then to Chris Patten, becoming a Government Minister for the first time in October 1990 when he took on the role of Minister for Local Government and Inner Cities. He supported Margaret Thatcher in the leadership election that took place a few weeks after his appointment but was kept on by John Major following his election victory. Major appointed Key to become Minister of State at the Department of National Heritage following the 1992 General Election, then he was moved to the Department of Transport the following year. He left Ministerial office in June 1994, but was appointed by William Hague as a frontbench spokesperson on defence following the 1997 General Election. Although selected to stand again at the 2010 General Election, problems with osteoarthritis meant that he decided to stand down.

    Key married Susan Irvine in 1968 and they had four children, one of whom died in infancy. Robert Key died on 3 February 2023 at the age of 77.

  • HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister Gordon Brown outlines EU economy stance [November 2008]

    HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister Gordon Brown outlines EU economy stance [November 2008]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 7 November 2008.

    The Prime Minister has listed a number of agreed steps that the EU will look to secure at next week’s global summit on the world economy in Washington.

    Speaking to journalists in Brussels after today’s special EU Council, the PM said that Europe would seek reform of the international financial system, agreed accounting standards, transparency in markets and a shake-up of the International Monetary Fund.

    Mr Brown reiterated his call for reform of the financial system to be based on the principles of transparency, integrity, responsibility, sound banking and global cooperation and that it should go hand in hand with the building of an early warning system and new methods of cross-border supervision.

    Referring to the need to reform the International Monetary Fund, the PM said it was not possible to “deal with the problems of 2008 with the institutions of 1945″.

    Mr Brown also said that he welcomed the decision by several banks in the UK to pass on yesterday’s Bank of England interest rate cut to “customers, families and businesses”.

    World leaders will gather in Washington on November 14 and 15 for a special summit on the financial crisis to be hosted by President George Bush.

  • HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : US to send additional troops to Afghanistan [December 2009]

    HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : US to send additional troops to Afghanistan [December 2009]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 2 December 2009.

    The Prime Minister has urged members of the international coalition to unite behind President Obama’s strategy on Afghanistan.

    Earlier today, President Obama announced the United States would send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan.

    It follows the commitment made by the Prime Minister earlier this week to deploy an additional 500 UK troops to Afghanistan from next month.

    On President Obama’s announcement today, Gordon Brown said:

    “I call on all our allies to unite behind President Obama’s strategy. Britain will continue to play its full part in persuading other countries to offer troops to the Afghanistan campaign.

    “A vital next stage is the London conference on Afghanistan on 28 January, to which all 43 coalition nations will be invited.

    “It will offer an opportunity to agree a process to transfer provinces and districts to Afghan control; to make decisions on new civilian co-ordination in Afghanistan; and to support commitments by President Karzai on Afghan reforms to build up the Afghan army and police, and local governance; and to secure further support from international partners.”

  • HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Number 10 marks Eid ul Adha [December 2009]

    HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Number 10 marks Eid ul Adha [December 2009]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 2 December 2009.

    The Prime Minister has welcomed Muslims from across the UK to Downing Street for a reception for Eid ul Adha.

    The annual festival, which marks the end of the Hajj – the pilgrimage to Mecca – was celebrated by Muslims around the world last week.

    Speaking about Eid ul Adha, Gordon Brown said:

    “Marking the end of the Hajj, this most holy occasion commemorates our common humanity and reminds us of the importance of devotion, fairness and the equality of all human beings before God.

    “It allows those of us of other faiths, and none, to reflect on the unique Islamic contribution to Britain and to share with you in celebration of all that has been achieved by British Muslims across so many walks of life. Today Muslims around the United Kingdom and the world will be reflecting on many challenges that face us and the deep moral issues like conflict, poverty and climate change. Together we can stand up to these challenges and move forward to a better world.”

  • HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Pakistan and UK agree to step up efforts against extremists [December 2009]

    HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Pakistan and UK agree to step up efforts against extremists [December 2009]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 3 December 2009.

    Gordon Brown and the Prime Minister of Pakistan have agreed to take further action against extremists operating on Pakistan soil.

    During a meeting at Downing Street this morning, the Prime Minister and his counterpart, Yusuf Raza Gilani, discussed working together on the economy, support for education in Pakistan, and agreed to enhance security co-operation against extremism.

    The PM said the UK will also help with reconstruction and stabilization, and he confirmed the offer of a further £50 million to back Pakistan’s plans for long-term stabilisation in the country’s border regions.

    Gordon Brown announced that £120 million of the UK’s development programme in Pakistan would support the government in reducing poverty, improving education and providing better healthcare.

    “We hope to help put 4.7 million children into primary school; reduce the number of underweight children under five by 100,000; and help provide access to clean water for nearly 40 million people.”

    The Prime Minister said the UK would also continue to support Pakistan’s economic development.

  • HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Businesses back push for Copenhagen deal [December 2009]

    HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Businesses back push for Copenhagen deal [December 2009]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 3 December 2009.

    Hundreds of leading UK and international companies have joined the Prime Minister in calling for a fair and ambitious deal at the Copenhagen climate change conference.

    The Prince of Wales’s Corporate Leaders Group on Climate Change presented Gordon Brown with a communiqué endorsed by more than 850 companies which sets out the business case for strong UN climate deal.

    The presentation took place at an event at Downing Street to highlight and celebrate UK businesses providing low carbon products and services.

    The PM said:

    “We are committed to securing a comprehensive and ambitious agreement in Copenhagen; an agreement which must mark the decisive global shift towards combating climate change, and I welcome this unprecedented support from business to achieve this. Our common purpose is our greatest strength as we push for a binding agreement on climate change.

    “Our transition to a low carbon economy will be a key driver of our future economic prosperity. UK companies are at the forefront of this transformation, their innovation and expertise demonstrates why this is one of best places in the world for low carbon business.”

    On Thursday evening, he met representatives of more than 100 businesses – including a large number of SMEs – who have embraced the low carbon economy, working in sectors ranging from renewables to IT.

    The Corporate Leaders Group includes companies such as John Lewis, Vodafone and Lloyds Banking Group, and businesses in more than 50 countries have already signed the communiqué.

  • HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister Gordon Brown tells young people climate deal is achievable [November 2009]

    HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister Gordon Brown tells young people climate deal is achievable [November 2009]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 4 December 2009.

    The Prime Minister has told a group of young people that a deal at Copenhagen to avert catastrophic climate change is achievable.

    Gordon Brown joined Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband and Baroness Glenys Kinnock in a discussion with an audience of 16 to 25 year-olds on climate change this morning.  A member of the UK Youth Climate Change Coalition facilitated the event.

    The question time debate comes just days before the world meets at the United Nations conference in a bid to agree a new international agreement to tackle climate change.

    The PM said the world is half way to agreeing an international climate deal, but a five billion-tonne gap must be closed at Copenhagen.

    “Today the world is on a path to emissions of 54 billion tonnes by 2020. So we need to take out 10 billion tonnes through this agreement. So far, unilateral action by countries around the world to reduce their emissions is already projected to take five billion tonnes out of the atmosphere. So we are half way there. Now at Copenhagen we must achieve the other half.”

    Mr Brown said the European Union has put forward an ambitious offer and now everybody else needs to be ambitious too.

  • HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Gordon Brown outlines plans for childcare vouchers [December 2009]

    HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Gordon Brown outlines plans for childcare vouchers [December 2009]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 4 December 2009.

    The Prime Minister outlined plans for childcare vouchers in a letter to Dr Roberta Blackman Woods MP and Ms Fiona Mactaggart MP.

    He confirmed that all families who currently receive vouchers will continue to get the same support and that tax relief will be retained for any new childcare vouchers that are issued in the future.

    Additionally, from April 2011, all new recipients of childcare vouchers will get the same income tax relief as basic rate taxpayers do currently in order to ensure that the system does not disproportionately benefit higher rate taxpayers.

    The Prime Minister wrote to the members of Parliament saying:

    “I have already made clear that no family currently in receipt of tax relief for their childcare vouchers will see any change in the support they receive. But following our discussions I can now also say that we will retain tax relief for new childcare vouchers issued in the future. However, there still remains a concern that a disproportionate benefit is accruing to higher rate taxpayers. So in order to ensure that this tax relief is given on a fairer basis to all families, we will ensure that all taxpayers get the same income tax relief as basic rate taxpayers do currently. This will take place from April 2011 and will not affect those receiving vouchers issued before that date.”

    In the letter Gordon Brown said that the government will continue to make progress to provide free part-time nursery places for all two year olds whose parents want them, albeit at a slower rate.

  • HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Gordon Brown meets Turkish Cypriot leader [December 2009]

    HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Gordon Brown meets Turkish Cypriot leader [December 2009]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 4 December 2009.

    The Prime Minister met the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, in the House of Commons today.

    Mr Brown took the opportunity to discuss the Cyprus settlement talks with Mr Talat and, in a statement made after the meeting, said that the UK continues to support the progress made in negotiations.

    The PM also commended Mr Talat and the President of Cyprus, Dimitris Christofias, for the “perseverance and resolve” they have shown while trying to reach a solution.

    The Prime Minister said:

    “Having striven for a settlement for many years, Mehmet Ali Talat knows well how vital a solution in Cyprus is for all Cypriots as well as for the region and for Europe. I commend both leaders for the perseverance and resolve they have displayed in their search for a settlement.

    The two Cypriot leaders have shown enormous courage and determination to get this far. I know that both leaders are fully committed to finding a solution and I hope that the negotiations can be intensified so the two leaders can fully exploit the opportunity that now exists to resolve the issue to the benefit of all Cypriots.

    The UK continues to support these efforts and welcomes the good progress made so far. We hope to see further progress over the coming months. With political courage and compromise on both sides, these talks have every chance of success.”

  • 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.