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Sarah 'surprised me', says Brown | Sarah 'surprised me', says Brown |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Gordon Brown said he was "surprised" that his wife Sarah had wanted to take to the Labour Party conference stage to introduce him for his keynote speech. | Gordon Brown said he was "surprised" that his wife Sarah had wanted to take to the Labour Party conference stage to introduce him for his keynote speech. |
He said he was "proud" of her and said it was her decision - adding that she had thought about it "for some time". | He said he was "proud" of her and said it was her decision - adding that she had thought about it "for some time". |
Mr Brown said Sarah, whose performance gained positive newspaper reviews, wanted to show that "we are a team". | Mr Brown said Sarah, whose performance gained positive newspaper reviews, wanted to show that "we are a team". |
Later he told the BBC it was "totally different" to politicians using their children as "props". | |
Mrs Brown's appearance on stage and her speech was unexpected and unprecedented at such an occasion in UK politics. | Mrs Brown's appearance on stage and her speech was unexpected and unprecedented at such an occasion in UK politics. |
'No decision' | |
During his speech on Tuesday Mr Brown said he did not arrange for his children to appear in photographs with him because they were "people" not "props". | |
On Wednesday he explained, during an interview with BBC political editor Nick Robinson, what he saw as the difference between that position, and his wife addressing the Labour conference. | |
I'm so proud that every day I see him motivated to work for the best interests of people all around the country Sarah Brown | |
"My wife and I had made a decision about being involved, as adults, in public life," he said. | |
"Our children are completely different if I may say ... They made no decision to do that." | |
He added their privacy should be protected as they grow up, but asked whether his speech was a dig at Conservative leader David Cameron he replied: "People do different things." | |
He said he mentioned it because he was always being asked about it, adding: "I have decided and she [Mrs Brown] has decided that when you have young children growing up they have got to have an ordinary childhood." | |
Earlier he told GMTV he would reveal certain items about his children publicly - such as when they had injections. | |
That was in contrast to former PM Tony Blair who refused to disclose whether his own children had had the controversial MMR jab. | |
Not only did Tuesday's appearance break with conference tradition, but it was also a rare public address by Mrs Brown, who usually keeps a low profile. | Not only did Tuesday's appearance break with conference tradition, but it was also a rare public address by Mrs Brown, who usually keeps a low profile. |
Mr Brown had been due to be introduced by Dianne Hayter, who chairs Labour's ruling National Executive Committee, but Mrs Brown apparently suggested, the night before, that she introduce him instead. | Mr Brown had been due to be introduced by Dianne Hayter, who chairs Labour's ruling National Executive Committee, but Mrs Brown apparently suggested, the night before, that she introduce him instead. |
She told delegates she had "asked if I could have the chance today to talk briefly to you" ahead of what was seen as a crucial speech for Mr Brown as he faced continuing grumbling about his leadership. | She told delegates she had "asked if I could have the chance today to talk briefly to you" ahead of what was seen as a crucial speech for Mr Brown as he faced continuing grumbling about his leadership. |
Of her husband, she said: "I'm so proud that every day I see him motivated to work for the best interests of people all around the country. | Of her husband, she said: "I'm so proud that every day I see him motivated to work for the best interests of people all around the country. |
"Sometimes in a world where there is so much to do we don't perhaps have enough time to celebrate what has been done." | "Sometimes in a world where there is so much to do we don't perhaps have enough time to celebrate what has been done." |
Asked if Mrs Brown would begin to play a larger public role, Mr Brown told the BBC she did get involved in publicity for causes she was interested in - such as mothers' and childrens' health - and would continue to do so. |
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