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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Britain 'not broken' says Brown | Britain 'not broken' says Brown |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Gordon Brown has dismissed the idea of a broken society in Britain saying the country was "decent and compassionate". | Gordon Brown has dismissed the idea of a broken society in Britain saying the country was "decent and compassionate". |
| The prime minister was speaking at the opening day of the Edinburgh Book Festival - where he was being interviewed by crime writer Ian Rankin. | The prime minister was speaking at the opening day of the Edinburgh Book Festival - where he was being interviewed by crime writer Ian Rankin. |
| In a wide-ranging discussion, he spoke about domestic and global problems as well as his own work as an author. | In a wide-ranging discussion, he spoke about domestic and global problems as well as his own work as an author. |
| Along with political works Mr Brown has written a book called Courage about great figures such as Nelson Mandela. | Along with political works Mr Brown has written a book called Courage about great figures such as Nelson Mandela. |
| The prime minister, who was a surprise guest at the festival, told the audience there: "I don't think the British people have ever been broken by anything or anyone. | The prime minister, who was a surprise guest at the festival, told the audience there: "I don't think the British people have ever been broken by anything or anyone. |
| If people see people doing great things, then these are role models for young people Gordon Brown | If people see people doing great things, then these are role models for young people Gordon Brown |
| "I feel there is so much good being done in different parts of our country. | "I feel there is so much good being done in different parts of our country. |
| "I think Britain is basically a decent, compassionate society and most people want to see things change for the better." | "I think Britain is basically a decent, compassionate society and most people want to see things change for the better." |
| Mr Brown highlighted knife crime as "the biggest problem at the moment" in some cities. | Mr Brown highlighted knife crime as "the biggest problem at the moment" in some cities. |
| But he said the government alone could not tackle it, saying the community also had a role to play in changing the culture to make carrying knives unacceptable. | But he said the government alone could not tackle it, saying the community also had a role to play in changing the culture to make carrying knives unacceptable. |
| Mr Brown said he had written Courage: Eight Portraits, which is about famous role models, to encourage more people to follow their example. | Mr Brown said he had written Courage: Eight Portraits, which is about famous role models, to encourage more people to follow their example. |
| He said: "You celebrate them and you create more as a result of that. If people see people doing great things, then these are role models for young people." | He said: "You celebrate them and you create more as a result of that. If people see people doing great things, then these are role models for young people." |