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Brown aim 'to reduce union power' Brown aim 'to reduce union power'
(about 1 hour later)
New Labour leader Gordon Brown wants to reduce the influence of trade unions within the party, the BBC has learned. Labour leader Gordon Brown wants to reduce the influence of trade unions within the party, the BBC has learned.
His proposals would stop the unions from shaping policy at Labour's annual conference. His proposals would stop unions shaping policy at Labour's annual conference and give individual members more say.
He has recommended to Labour's National Executive that union-backed motions would be replaced by debates on general issues, the BBC's James Hardy said.He has recommended to Labour's National Executive that union-backed motions would be replaced by debates on general issues, the BBC's James Hardy said.
Mr Brown and Harriet Harman are preparing for their first full day as Labour leader and deputy leader. Mr Brown formally took over the party on Sunday, with Harriet Harman winning a tight race to become deputy leader.
In his acceptance speech on becoming leader on Sunday, Mr Brown promised to give the party not just policies but "a soul". In his acceptance speech on becoming leader, Mr Brown promised to give the party not just policies but "a soul".
He praised Tony Blair and pledged to "renew" the party to meet voters' changing aspirations.He praised Tony Blair and pledged to "renew" the party to meet voters' changing aspirations.
BBC political correspondent James Hardy said that, although Mr Brown spent "barely 30 seconds in a 30 minutes speech" on party democracy, behind the scenes he is planning "controversial changes".BBC political correspondent James Hardy said that, although Mr Brown spent "barely 30 seconds in a 30 minutes speech" on party democracy, behind the scenes he is planning "controversial changes".
Mr Brown pledged to give party members the final say on Labour's policy programme through a "one member one vote" system.Mr Brown pledged to give party members the final say on Labour's policy programme through a "one member one vote" system.
Our correspondent said in effect that meant ending the conference's role as Labour's sovereign policy-making body and greatly increasing the part played by individual members.Our correspondent said in effect that meant ending the conference's role as Labour's sovereign policy-making body and greatly increasing the part played by individual members.
DEPUTY LEADER RESULT 1. Harman: 50.4%2. Johnson: 49.6% 3. Cruddas: Out4. Benn: Out5. Hain: Out6. Blears: Out The final result comes after eliminated contestants' second preferences reallocated Profile: Harriet Harman Analysis: What result meansDEPUTY LEADER RESULT 1. Harman: 50.4%2. Johnson: 49.6% 3. Cruddas: Out4. Benn: Out5. Hain: Out6. Blears: Out The final result comes after eliminated contestants' second preferences reallocated Profile: Harriet Harman Analysis: What result means
Mr Brown was introduced to Labour activists at a special conference in Manchester by Tony Blair, who described him as a "friend for over 20 years and from today the leader of our party, very soon to be the leader of our country".Mr Brown was introduced to Labour activists at a special conference in Manchester by Tony Blair, who described him as a "friend for over 20 years and from today the leader of our party, very soon to be the leader of our country".
Mr Brown singled out education and the crisis in affordable housing as two of his top priorities, promising more social housing and help for people to get on the property ladder.Mr Brown singled out education and the crisis in affordable housing as two of his top priorities, promising more social housing and help for people to get on the property ladder.
But he said the NHS was his "immediate priority," adding he wanted to discuss "a new settlement for a modern NHS" with more power in the hands of patients and staff.But he said the NHS was his "immediate priority," adding he wanted to discuss "a new settlement for a modern NHS" with more power in the hands of patients and staff.
He pledged to eradicate child poverty and "hand more to people" through constitutional reform and strengthening local democracy.
On foreign affairs, he acknowledged Iraq had been "a divisive issue for our party and our country" and he pledged to " learn lessons that need to be learned".On foreign affairs, he acknowledged Iraq had been "a divisive issue for our party and our country" and he pledged to " learn lessons that need to be learned".
I shall always try my utmost. I am ready to serve Gordon Brown Labour Party leader Brown speech: key pointsI shall always try my utmost. I am ready to serve Gordon Brown Labour Party leader Brown speech: key points
Conservative Party chairman Francis Maude said: "Harriet Harman is the first appointment of the Brown era and she believes in more money for the unions and a review of Trident.Conservative Party chairman Francis Maude said: "Harriet Harman is the first appointment of the Brown era and she believes in more money for the unions and a review of Trident.
"The country will be interested in how the unelected Gordon Brown responds to the views of the newly elected deputy leader of the Labour Party.""The country will be interested in how the unelected Gordon Brown responds to the views of the newly elected deputy leader of the Labour Party."
Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell called for a general election, saying: "This has been the longest coronation in history. Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell called for a general election, saying: "Neither Labour members nor the British public have chosen the new prime minister."
"Neither Labour members nor the British public have chosen the new prime minister. He should seek a mandate immediately."
Mr Brown said from now on the party's deputy leader would also be its chairman.
Tony Blair said his long-time chancellor had "all the qualities to mark him out as a great prime minister" when he takes over on Wednesday.
Mr Brown said in his speech that from now on the party's deputy leader would also be its chairman.
Harriet Harman won the six-way race to succeed John Prescott as deputy Labour leader. She pipped Education Secretary Alan Johnson by 50.4% to 49.6% in the fifth round of voting after the other four contenders' second preference votes were reallocated.Harriet Harman won the six-way race to succeed John Prescott as deputy Labour leader. She pipped Education Secretary Alan Johnson by 50.4% to 49.6% in the fifth round of voting after the other four contenders' second preference votes were reallocated.
He also announced the appointment of Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander as general election coordinator, "so that we are ready not just to fight but to win a general election". Mr Brown said from now on the party's deputy leader would also be its chairman and he appointment Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander as general election co-ordinator.
The BBC understands it is unlikely Mr Brown will appoint a deputy prime minister to replace John Prescott, with his responsibilities being given to another member of the Cabinet.The BBC understands it is unlikely Mr Brown will appoint a deputy prime minister to replace John Prescott, with his responsibilities being given to another member of the Cabinet.