This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6650639.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Brown to make eco housing pledge Brown outlines 'eco towns' plan
(about 7 hours later)
Gordon Brown is due to pledge five new "eco towns" in a bid to help thousands of people onto the property ladder, as he continues his leadership campaign. Gordon Brown says he wants five new "eco towns" built to help people onto the property ladder, as he continues his campaign to succeed Tony Blair.
The chancellor is expected to announce the construction of up to 100,000 sustainable homes across the country. He said he wanted the 100,000 homes in "carbon neutral" communities to be built on old industrial sites, such as former Ministry of Defence property.
On Saturday, Mr Brown said education and healthcare were his top domestic priorities, saying he wanted "fairness and opportunity for all" in the UK. Mr Brown told the BBC he wanted the total number of homes built each year increased, with more social housing.
He is so far unchallenged in his bid to succeed Tony Blair as Labour leader.He is so far unchallenged in his bid to succeed Tony Blair as Labour leader.
The chancellor is expected to pledge thousands of homes powered by locally generated energy from sustainable sources.
The proposed five "eco towns" could each contain up to 20,000 homes, funded with a mixture of public and private finance.The proposed five "eco towns" could each contain up to 20,000 homes, funded with a mixture of public and private finance.
The move could see a major expansion in housebuilding if Mr Brown is successful in his bid to succeed Tony Blair.
It reflects concern over the growing demand for homes, which has driven up housing prices, making it more difficult for young couples attempting to get on the property ladder.It reflects concern over the growing demand for homes, which has driven up housing prices, making it more difficult for young couples attempting to get on the property ladder.
Mr Brown will present the plans as a sign that it is Labour not the Conservatives who stand for aspiration, BBC political correspondent Reeta Chakrabarti says. But the Conservatives say that carbon neutral towns were announced by Labour over a year ago.
But the Conservatives say that carbon neutral towns were announced by Labour over a year ago, our correspondent adds.
HealthcareHealthcare
On Saturday, Mr Brown spent his second day on the campaign trail with visits to marginal seats in Kent. On Saturday, Mr Brown said education and healthcare were his top domestic priorities, saying he wanted "fairness and opportunity for all" in the UK.
He spent the day campaigning in marginal seats in Kent.
HAVE YOUR SAY I feel like Brown has been snuck in through the back door Luke Frost, Sunderland Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY I feel like Brown has been snuck in through the back door Luke Frost, Sunderland Send us your comments
Speaking at Sunlight Community Centre in Gillingham, Kent, said: "What I want for my children I want for every child, to get the best education and the best healthcare."Speaking at Sunlight Community Centre in Gillingham, Kent, said: "What I want for my children I want for every child, to get the best education and the best healthcare."
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."
But Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley questioned Mr Brown's history as chancellor when it came to NHS improvements.But 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.
Leadership contestLeadership contest
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.
Labour's national executive is due to announce the timetable for the leadership contest later today.Labour's national executive is due to announce the timetable for the leadership contest later today.
It will set the timetable for the leadership election itself - if there is one - and for what will be the more hotly contested contest, for the deputy leadership.It will set the timetable for the leadership election itself - if there is one - and for what will be the more hotly contested contest, for the deputy leadership.
Mr Brown will also hold his first policy debate with his two party rivals - Michael Meacher and John McDonnell.Mr Brown will also 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 of 45 Labour MPs needed for one to go forward as a candidate.
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.