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I'll get on with job, says Brown Brown seeks to lift Labour mood
(about 2 hours later)
Gordon Brown has promised to "get on with the job" of dealing with the economy, following Labour's defeat in the Glasgow East by-election. Gordon Brown is seeking to rally Labour supporters after the party's Glasgow East by-election defeat.
He told the BBC the government had to "listen and hear people's concerns" over rising food and energy costs. He told a policy meeting in Warwick: "Let us remember what a Labour government can achieve and what we will achieve in the years to come."
The Scottish National Party claimed the Glasgow East result was "off the Richter scale", after overturning a Labour majority of 13,507.The Scottish National Party claimed the Glasgow East result was "off the Richter scale", after overturning a Labour majority of 13,507.
Conservative leader David Cameron urged Mr Brown to call a general election.Conservative leader David Cameron urged Mr Brown to call a general election.
"I think we need change in this country, and that's how change should come about," said Mr Cameron."I think we need change in this country, and that's how change should come about," said Mr Cameron.
Mr Brown is now meeting trade union leaders and activists to discuss Labour's policies for the next general election. The prime minister's speech - made without notes - at the National Policy Forum in Warwick is being seen as a key moment in his efforts to turn round party morale.
'We understand' Earlier he told the BBC: "I think what people want to know is that we understand and we hear their concerns.
His speech at the National Policy Forum in Warwick is expected at 1200 BST and is being seen as a key moment in Mr Brown's efforts to turn round party morale.
Ahead of his address, Mr Brown said: "I think what people want to know is that we understand and we hear their concerns.
"People are worried every time they go to the petrol station for fuel and worry about the costs... These are concerns that are happening in every other country."People are worried every time they go to the petrol station for fuel and worry about the costs... These are concerns that are happening in every other country.
"My whole focus and whole task is to take people through difficult times...""My whole focus and whole task is to take people through difficult times..."
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeLabour stunned in Glasgow EastFROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeLabour stunned in Glasgow East
He added: "We've got to listen and hear people's concerns and that's exactly what we are doing."He added: "We've got to listen and hear people's concerns and that's exactly what we are doing."
Mr Brown also said: "I'm getting on with the job. My task is getting on with the job. It's exactly what people want me to do."Mr Brown also said: "I'm getting on with the job. My task is getting on with the job. It's exactly what people want me to do."
The Glasgow East seat became vacant with the resignation on health grounds of Labour's David Marshall.The Glasgow East seat became vacant with the resignation on health grounds of Labour's David Marshall.
It has long been regarded as one of Labour's safest seats - but the SNP won it by 365 votes, achieving a swing of 22.54% from Labour.It has long been regarded as one of Labour's safest seats - but the SNP won it by 365 votes, achieving a swing of 22.54% from Labour.
It follows the recent loss of the Crewe and Nantwich seat, the London mayoralty and poor results in local elections.It follows the recent loss of the Crewe and Nantwich seat, the London mayoralty and poor results in local elections.
'Cost of living''Cost of living'
John Mason, the SNP's winning candidate in Glasgow East, said: "Three weeks ago the SNP predicted a political earthquake.John Mason, the SNP's winning candidate in Glasgow East, said: "Three weeks ago the SNP predicted a political earthquake.
"This SNP victory is not just a political earthquake; it is off the Richter scale. It is an epic win and the tremors will be felt all the way to Downing Street.""This SNP victory is not just a political earthquake; it is off the Richter scale. It is an epic win and the tremors will be felt all the way to Downing Street."
Will it add to the pressure on Gordon Brown? Of course Brian TaylorPolitical editor, BBC Scotland Read Brian's blogSend us your commentsWill it add to the pressure on Gordon Brown? Of course Brian TaylorPolitical editor, BBC Scotland Read Brian's blogSend us your comments
Earlier, Scottish Secretary Des Browne told BBC Radio 4's Today programme people do not vote for divided parties and Labour must unite behind Mr Brown.Earlier, Scottish Secretary Des Browne told BBC Radio 4's Today programme people do not vote for divided parties and Labour must unite behind Mr Brown.
He said said the loss was "directly related to the cost of living" and said "we need to do more of the sorts of things that we've been doing". He said the loss was "directly related to the cost of living" and said "we need to do more of the sorts of things that we've been doing".
"People do not think that the steps we are taking at the moment are adequately responding to the circumstances that they feel," Mr Browne said.."People do not think that the steps we are taking at the moment are adequately responding to the circumstances that they feel," Mr Browne said..
"We need to build on what we have been doing - and we planned to do that in any event - but we also need to hold our nerve and hold the course on the longer-term issues.""We need to build on what we have been doing - and we planned to do that in any event - but we also need to hold our nerve and hold the course on the longer-term issues."
Union demandsUnion demands
There was also a "Scottish context" to the defeat, with Labour currently lacking a leader in Scotland and having lost control of the country's parliament, he added.There was also a "Scottish context" to the defeat, with Labour currently lacking a leader in Scotland and having lost control of the country's parliament, he added.
At the Warwick conference, the unions, which now account for the vast majority of Labour Party funding, are reportedly putting about 100 demands on issues ranging from new rights for workers to free school meals for all primary school pupils.At the Warwick conference, the unions, which now account for the vast majority of Labour Party funding, are reportedly putting about 100 demands on issues ranging from new rights for workers to free school meals for all primary school pupils.
The three-day forum will be considering new ideas and amendments to current policies.The three-day forum will be considering new ideas and amendments to current policies.
It brings together 55 Constituency Labour Parties and 30 trade unions, as well as other socialist movements.It brings together 55 Constituency Labour Parties and 30 trade unions, as well as other socialist movements.
It divides policy into six areas - Britain in the world; communities; crime and justice; education; health; prosperity.It divides policy into six areas - Britain in the world; communities; crime and justice; education; health; prosperity.