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| Version 9 | Version 10 |
|---|---|
| Brown targets schools and health | Brown targets schools and health |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Gordon Brown has said education and healthcare are his top domestic priorities, as he continues his bid to become the next Labour leader. | Gordon Brown has said education and healthcare are his top domestic priorities, as he continues his bid to become the next Labour leader. |
| The chancellor said he wanted "fairness and opportunity for all" in the UK, and for the health service to become "the envy of the world". | The chancellor said he wanted "fairness and opportunity for all" in the UK, and for the health service to become "the envy of the world". |
| Mr Brown spent his second day on the campaign trail with visits to marginal seats in Kent. | |
| He is so far unchallenged in his bid to succeed Tony Blair as leader. | He is so far unchallenged in his bid to succeed Tony Blair as leader. |
| 'Immediate priority' | 'Immediate priority' |
| Mr Brown, speaking at Sunlight Community Centre in Gillingham, Kent, said: "My vision for the future of this country is that we have an even stronger economy, an even stronger society with a higher quality of life." | Mr Brown, speaking at Sunlight Community Centre in Gillingham, Kent, said: "My vision for the future of this country is that we have an even stronger economy, an even stronger society with a higher quality of life." |
| He added: "It has been a privilege to serve under Tony Blair's leadership as prime minister of this country." | He added: "It has been a privilege to serve under Tony Blair's leadership as prime minister of this country." |
| What I want for my children I want for every child, to get the best education and the best healthcare Gordon Brown | What I want for my children I want for every child, to get the best education and the best healthcare Gordon Brown |
| He referred to his own experience of the NHS, when he was injured playing rugby and doctors saved his eyesight. | He referred to his own experience of the NHS, when he was injured playing rugby and doctors saved his eyesight. |
| "What I want for my children I want for every child, to get the best education and the best healthcare," he said. | "What I want for my children I want for every child, to get the best education and the best healthcare," he said. |
| Mr Brown said there was a need for electronic prescriptions, the availability of blood pressure checks at pharmacies, and walk-in clinics. | Mr Brown said there was a need for electronic prescriptions, the availability of blood pressure checks at pharmacies, and walk-in clinics. |
| The chancellor said: "I see us building up the NHS and making it a great British institution and making it the envy of the world." | The chancellor said: "I see us building up the NHS and making it a great British institution and making it the envy of the world." |
| Earlier, he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that listening to people's views on the future of the healthcare system was an "immediate priority". | Earlier, he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that listening to people's views on the future of the healthcare system was an "immediate priority". |
| 'Unconvincing rhetoric' | 'Unconvincing rhetoric' |
| Despite record investment in the NHS, the Conservatives were ahead of Labour in polls - which showed "we will - and have to - do better," Mr Brown said. | Despite record investment in the NHS, the Conservatives were ahead of Labour in polls - which showed "we will - and have to - do better," Mr Brown said. |
| Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley questioned Mr Brown's history as chancellor when it came to NHS improvements. | Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley questioned Mr Brown's history as chancellor when it came to NHS improvements. |
| "Gordon Brown is responsible for Labour's financial mismanagement of the NHS. He failed to make the NHS a priority during his 10 years as chancellor and his rhetoric today is unconvincing," he said. | "Gordon Brown is responsible for Labour's financial mismanagement of the NHS. He failed to make the NHS a priority during his 10 years as chancellor and his rhetoric today is unconvincing," he said. |
| "The truth is that Gordon Brown is part of the past, not part of the future. It is the same old Labour, same old spin." | "The truth is that Gordon Brown is part of the past, not part of the future. It is the same old Labour, same old spin." |
| Iraq assessment | Iraq assessment |
| A day after launching his campaign by saying he had the "new ideas and vision" to govern Britain, Mr Brown also spoke of other policy areas. | A day after launching his campaign by saying he had the "new ideas and vision" to govern Britain, Mr Brown also spoke of other policy areas. |
| He said he would be visiting Iraq again soon to "make my own assessment of the situation," but refused to outline any timetable for withdrawing British troops. | He said he would be visiting Iraq again soon to "make my own assessment of the situation," but refused to outline any timetable for withdrawing British troops. |
| "I don't think at this stage you pre-set a date," he said. | "I don't think at this stage you pre-set a date," he said. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY I feel like Brown has been snuck in through the back door Luke Frost, Sunderland Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY I feel like Brown has been snuck in through the back door Luke Frost, Sunderland Send us your comments |
| British troops were moving to an "advisory position" as the emphasis shifted from security and military to political and economic development. | British troops were moving to an "advisory position" as the emphasis shifted from security and military to political and economic development. |
| He said military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan had cost about £6bn. | He said military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan had cost about £6bn. |
| Mr Brown is the firm favourite to succeed Mr Blair when he quits on 27 June. | Mr Brown is the firm favourite to succeed Mr Blair when he quits on 27 June. |
| On Sunday Mr Brown will hold his first policy debate with his two party rivals - Michael Meacher and John McDonnell. | On Sunday Mr Brown will hold his first policy debate with his two party rivals - Michael Meacher and John McDonnell. |
| The pair are yet to decide which of them will challenge Mr Brown, insisting that between them they can muster the support needed for one to go forward as a candidate. | The pair are yet to decide which of them will challenge Mr Brown, insisting that between them they can muster the support needed for one to go forward as a candidate. |
| He will also be in East Sussex for the Brighton Festival. | He will also be in East Sussex for the Brighton Festival. |
| Mr Brown could still face a challenge from one of the two left-wing backbenchers, but there appears to be a coordinated effort among Labour MPs to unite behind him, with Blairite MPs Stephen Byers and Alan Milburn also expected to back him. | Mr Brown could still face a challenge from one of the two left-wing backbenchers, but there appears to be a coordinated effort among Labour MPs to unite behind him, with Blairite MPs Stephen Byers and Alan Milburn also expected to back him. |
| Meanwhile, former US President Bill Clinton has described the leadership hopeful as "brilliant" and "authentic". | Meanwhile, former US President Bill Clinton has described the leadership hopeful as "brilliant" and "authentic". |
| Mr Clinton said they were attributes which "carried their own charisma". | Mr Clinton said they were attributes which "carried their own charisma". |