Tag: Downing Street

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 3 November 2008.

Gordon Brown has congratulated Lewis Hamilton on his achievement of becoming the youngest ever Formula One world champion.

Speaking from Doha, Qatar on his tour of the Gulf, the PM said that the whole country was “thrilled” by Hamilton’s talent and his “inspirational achievement”.

The PM said:

“I, like so many, want to congratulate [Lewis Hamilton] on becoming world champion.  He is the youngest world champion in Formula One history, the first championship I think of many that he is going to win in the years to come.  I think the whole country is thrilled by his exceptional talent and the whole of Britain is now congratulating him and proud of the inspirational achievement of Lewis and the McLaren team.”

Hamilton placed fifth in yesterday’s Brazilian Grand Prix to take the title by 98 points to rival Felipe Massa’s 97.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 3 November 2008.

The Prime Minister has outlined his vision for global economic reform, acknowledging that any countries increasing their contribution to international bodies such as the IMF should have greater influence over decision making.

Speaking to guests at a major oil conference in Abu Dhabi this morning, Mr Brown listed five steps to be taken to restore stability to the world economy: stronger banks; international coordination of financial policies; an enhanced facility under the IMF to stop the spread of crises such as the credit crunch; pushing ahead with world trade talks on the principle of free trade; and establishing global standards of supervision and regulation.

The Prime Minister also called for a reshaping of energy markets following recent spikes in gas and oil prices, stating that consumers and producers needed to move beyond the “traditional zero sum game” that pits one against the other. A special energy conference to be held in London in December, following on from June’s Jeddah summit, would be an important step in building a new framework, he said.

The PM said:

“Let us carry forward the determination to build a global consensus around a radical renewal of our international financial system, let us maintain the courage to continue and deepen the dialogue we have begun here in the Gulf for stability in energy, oil and gas and energy markets generally for the future.  Let us make this time which is a time of financial crisis also a time of visionary international cooperation.

“Let us together build great companies, governments working with business, people who know about the future of energy working together, let us together build the global solutions on which the sustainability and prosperity of our global economy depends.”

The Prime Minister arrived in Abu Dhabi from Qatar, where he earlier visited a vast liquid gas complex and also met British armed forces personnel at the Al Udeid air base. Following his speech at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference he visited a technology college and went on to a dinner meeting with the Crown Prince, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 4 November 2008.

The Prime Minister has spoken of the importance of cooperation between the US and Europe following today’s Presidential election and said he will look to build the “strongest possible relationship” with George Bush’s successor.

Responding to journalists’ questions during his tour of the Gulf, the PM said that the election taking place today had stirred renewed interest in politics and public affairs and had been marked by a series of “landmark events”  such as the prominence of female candidates.

The next step was for the US and Europe to work together on pressing issues such as the economic downturn and peace in the Middle East.

The PM said:

“It’s been an important election. I think that the most important thing that follows from it is that America and Europe will have to work together to deal with the international problems we face, not just the financial crisis but also stopping protectionism, making sure we work for stability and particularly peace in the Middle East.”

Mr Brown returns from his four-day tour of the Gulf today after a series of meetings focused on the global economic downturn, support for the IMF and energy issues.

The US election takes place today with results expected to become available through the night. The PM, who met Barack Obama and John McCain on a trip to the US in April, said he expected to speak to both candidates once the election result was known.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 5 November 2008.

Gordon Brown congratulated Barack Obama on his victory in the US Presidential election this morning and said they would work together to get Britain and the US out of the economic downturn.

Speaking to journalists in 10 Downing Street the PM said:

“I have just sent my warmest congratulations to Senator Obama on his election as President of the United States of America and I have also sent my best wishes to Michelle and his family”.

“This is a moment that will live in history as long as history books are written.”

Tuesday’s poll saw Barack Obama emerge as President elect after one of the biggest turnouts in US election history. As of this afternoon he held 349 electoral college votes compared to John McCain’s 162, comfortably above the 270 required for victory.

Mr Obama will be inaugarated as President in January 2009.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 6 November 2008.

The Prime Minister has called for renewed effort to tackle the “geography of inequality” characterised by drastically differing health standards and life expectancy between different countries and communities.

Speaking at the Health Inequalities Conference in London today, the Prime Minister said there could “no worse time” to put aside the vital work of dealing with health inequalities and helping the poor. Those arguing that plans should be postponed in light of the global economic downturn were mistaken, he said.

The PM said:

“I believe there could be no worse time than this to turn back.  We will now successfully address all the global problems that we face, whether it is financial problems, climate change, security or inequality, only if we work together for global solutions. And the health inequalities we are talking about are not only unjust, condemning millions of men, women and children to avoidable ill-health, they also limit the development and the prosperity of communities, whole nations and even continents.”

Mr Brown told delegates they were united in their belief that every child, man and woman, no matter what their birth or background, “should have the best chance of a healthy life”.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson, who has organised the summit, told delegates that governments have become accustomed to working together on issues such as climate change and the economy, and that the same energy being appled to dealing with the credit crunch should be applied to addressing health inequalities.

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.

The text of the podcast made by Gordon Brown, the then Prime Minister, on 11 November 2008.

It was 90 years ago today that the guns of the Western front fell silent, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

This morning I will welcome to Downing Street our last world war one veterans and their families. Today we are blessed that these survivors remain with us, our living link with momentous events that happened before our time. In honouring them we can give our thanks for the sacrifices made by so many.

But for those who did not return from the battlefields, those who “gave their tomorrow for our today”, we will take time to remember and to grieve at war memorials across our land.

The presence of moving memorials in thousands of council chambers, assembly halls and market squares stands as an eternal testament to the fact that no British city, no British town, no British village went untouched by the horror, no family escaped without grief, each school had its representatives among the fallen.

The memorials remind us of the sheer scale of the sacrifice and the breadth of the courage to be found in that generation of Britons.

But so too do they remind us of something even deeper – that while each of us is unique we are not sufficient unto ourselves but citizens, members of a community with shared interests, mutual needs and linked destines.

We owe obligations to others because they are part of what we are. I will always remember the inscription on the Scottish memorial to the war dead. It says “the whole earth is the tomb of heroes and their story is not only graven in stone over their clay but abides everywhere without visible symbol – woven into the stuff of other men’s lives.”

And so today we remember all that is woven into the stuff of our lives. We remember the heroism of those who served in Korea, Northern Ireland, the Falklands, the gulf and the Balkans, and the brave men and women who today wear the British uniform in Afghanistan and Iraq.

It was hoped that the Great War would be the war to end all wars but sadly that was not the case. Sacrifices continue to be made by those who serve in our armed forces today and, whilst the numbers involved are thankfully not on the scale of world war one, the individual cost can remains the same.

My thoughts are very much with all the men and women of our armed forces, serving with such distinction at home and overseas, and my thoughts are also with their families.

So let us today pay tribute and give thanks to all who wear the British uniform, all who carry our flag and all who risk or have given their lives that our country can remain strong and free.

Our gratitude is unbounded your heroism unsurpassed. You are in our thoughts today and always. Thank you.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 11 November 2008.

Gordon Brown has welcomed Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg to 10 Downing Street.

The two leaders discussed a range of issues including the global financial crisis and the preparations for the G20 summit on the world economy to be held in Washington on 15 November.

Mr Brown and Mr Stoltenberg also discussed the issues of climate change, energy and international development.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 11 November 2008.

Gordon Brown welcomed three First World War veterans, Henry Allingham, Harry Patch and William Stone, to a reception at 10 Downing Street today following the Armistice Day tribute at the Cenotaph.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup said the three men had brought “meaning, life and immediacy” to the day’s events. The Armistice Day commemorations had “caught the national imagination” not just because of the sacrifices of the past but because of the sacrifices of those still serving today, he added.

The Secretary of State for Defence, John Hutton, also attended the reception, along with Correlli Barnet, Honorary President of the Western Front Association, and Hadyn Jones of the London Welsh Male Voice Choir.

This year’s Armistice Day marks the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 12 November 2008.

The Prime Minister has travelled to Watford to open a new Sure Start facility and to meet people improving their job seeking skills at a Seetec Employment Centre.

Mr Brown marked the official opening of the Beechfield School Sure Start centre by unveiling a commemorative plaque before meeting staff and chatting with parents and children benefiting from Sure Start programmes.

Beechfield was designated a Sure Start Centre in March 2008 and now offers services such as family learning and behavioural management to almost 1,000 under-5s and their families.

Later, the PM visited the Seetec Employment Centre where he met current jobseekers and former participants, including three Seetec staff, who have used its services. The centre offers help with CV preparation, job applications and interview techniques as well as one-to-one advice and an outreach programme for lone parents.

Asked about the purpose of the visit, the PM said he wanted to meet people who were looking for work and to assure them that the Government was doing everything it can to get the economy moving during the current downturn. The UK will urge other countries to contribute to economic stimulus measures at this weekend’s international financial summit in Washington, he said.