UK NEWS
BROWN: I'M HUMBLED
Gordon Brown addresses a meeting in London this afternoon
By Jessica Johnson for express.co.uk
Gordon Brown accepted his nomination for the Labour leadership today, saying he was “truly humbled” by the level of support from his parliamentary colleagues.
Mr Brown was confirmed as leader-in-waiting this afternoon when the party confirmed he was the only contender to make the ballot paper, with 313 MPs’ nominations.
“I formally accept the nomination, the responsibility it brings and the opportunity to serve the people of Britain,” he told a gathering in London.
He added: “As a teenager, I chose this party because of its values - values I grew up with and knew. I am honoured that this party has chosen me.”
Mr Brown said that the scale of his nomination, which attracted the signatures of 313 of Labour’s 353 eligible MPs “shows to the country a party wholly united in its determination not to retreat into the past, but going forward as New Labour to address the opportunities and challenges of the future”.
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I am honoured that this party has chosen me
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Mr Brown said he was “conscious that there is no higher calling than to lead and to serve your country”.
He said his 10 years in Government had taught him that the best preparation for the development of policy was not meetings in Whitehall departments but “listening to the British people”.
When drawing up his agenda for the Queen’s Speech, he would be “listening and learning and involving and engaging the voices of people too often left unheard”, he said.
And he promised: “To those who feel that the political system doesn’t listen and doesn’t care, to those who somehow feel powerless and have lost faith, to those who feel Westminster is a distant place and politics all too often a spectator sport, I will strive to earn your trust - to earn your trust not just in foreign policy, but in our schools and our hospitals and our public services and to respond to your concerns.”
Mr Brown gave a hint at his policy priorities as Prime Minister by listing some of the people whose concerns he had picked up during visits around the country.
He clamied he would help young couples trying to buy their own home; young people wanting the best educational chances; patients frustrated that healthcare facilities are not open at the times they want; NHS staff who want to be able to serve patients better; parents who want help with childcare; families trying to do the right thing for the environment and the community; and elderly citizens worried about crime.
The Chancellor grinned widely when addressed by a journalist as “the Prime Minister-elect”.
Questioned about the lack of a leadership challenger on the ballot paper, Mr Brown said: “At the end of the day, it may be embarrassing perhaps to have so much support.
On Iraq, Mr Brown acknowledged that the war had divided the country.
“We cannot deny there have been very big divisions in public opinion over Iraq,” he said.
But he said the conflict was now “entering a new stage” with the drawdown of troops in several provinces.
Asked about his relationship with US President George Bush, Mr Brown told reporters: “The relationship between a British Prime Minister and an American President must and should be a very strong one, and I look forward to building that relationship with the President of the United States.
“The values that the American people hold and the values that the British people hold, those values have been shared right across the decades and right across centuries... values that have endured over the ages.”
*But what do YOU think? Will Brown deliver all his promises? Click HERE to have your say.
Video 
BROWN: I'M HUMBLED
18.05.07, 8:43am
The biggest beneficiary of the so called union dividend !
• Posted by: JohnSJ • Report Comment
BROWN I'M HUMBLED
18.05.07, 7:49am
That should be BROWN : I’M RUMBLED, how the people of this country can stand by and let this man just take over without a vote is beyond me, it just goes to show how corrupt everything is and how easy it has become to manipulate people. Simply by using the carrot and stick principles, people have been given the carrot; now watch out for the stick
• Posted by: Derk • Report Comment
NOT YOU
17.05.07, 7:58pm
THE PUBLIC DID NOT ELECT THIS SCUMBAG FOR PM. WE SHOULD BE ALLOWED AN ELECTION, THEN SEE WHO GETS IN BECAUSE IT WONT BE YOU BROWN.
• Posted by: seaqueenuk • Report Comment
GORDON BROWN MP
17.05.07, 7:21pm
Whether or not we all agree with Gordon Brown it must be said that the country has gone through a long period of stability and Mr Brown can I believe be credited with some of that success. He has been elected as the true successor of the existing Prime Minister Tony Blair by more than 300 fellow MP's all of whom were appointed to speak and vote on behalf of their constituants. He, (Gordon Brown) has two years in office in which to prove himself to the country and if he fails in that quest both he and the Labour Party will lose the next election,it;s as simple as that! "The proof will be in the Puddin" so to speak. He has, according to the above article, vowed to "listen to the people" and I believe he can start by listening to the millions of elderly pensioners who are sick and tired of being almost totally ignored by successive governments. Pension Credits are both unfair and a complete failure and I believe the majority of pensioners would, instead of the present "Means Test" have a substantial increase of at least 50% on their basic pension!
Next I would suggest that as the new leader of the present government he "MUST" immediately stop any more immigrants entering this country,
and at the same time "expell all those who have no right to be here!" I could go on but will reserve any further comments until later!
alroy
• Posted by: alroy • Report Comment
HUMBLE OF WHAT!
17.05.07, 6:07pm
This Malcontent knew when B liar announced his resignation he'd be next in line for the benefits of the "GOLDEN TROUGH". Its very humbling I think not. Fully agree with The Way I See it. Only one Caveat though when this Shower are thrown out of office Try the Lot of them for TREASON against the State!!!!!
• Posted by: saxon • Report Comment
HUMBELD
17.05.07, 5:34pm
Uriah Heap was also humbled and we all no what hw was like I don't see any difference
• Posted by: syd • Report Comment
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