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/6975678.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Brown plays down early election | Brown plays down early election |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Gordon Brown has refused to rule out an early general election amid continuing speculation about an October poll. | Gordon Brown has refused to rule out an early general election amid continuing speculation about an October poll. |
| Pressed on the issue on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said: "There will be a time and a place for a general election, but it is not now." | Pressed on the issue on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said: "There will be a time and a place for a general election, but it is not now." |
| Instead he announced plans to involve opposition MPs, citizens' juries and a citizens' summit in government. | Instead he announced plans to involve opposition MPs, citizens' juries and a citizens' summit in government. |
| "A new type of politics" was needed to tackle youth and children's issues, crime, land use and health, he said. | |
| 'Business as usual' | 'Business as usual' |
| The speech has been seen in some quarters as raising the prospects of an October election - even though Mr Brown can call an election at any time up to May 2010. | The speech has been seen in some quarters as raising the prospects of an October election - even though Mr Brown can call an election at any time up to May 2010. |
| Asked about election timing Mr Brown told Today: "I have to say there will be no announcement today ... I am getting on with the business of government. | Asked about election timing Mr Brown told Today: "I have to say there will be no announcement today ... I am getting on with the business of government. |
| We want to draw on people from other parties who have particular expertise to offer Gordon Brown Analysis: New politics? Brown's speech in full | |
| "If there were to be an election, the first person I would tell is not you ... it would be HM the Queen and I have not done that. | "If there were to be an election, the first person I would tell is not you ... it would be HM the Queen and I have not done that. |
| "There will be a time and a place for these things, but it is not now. | "There will be a time and a place for these things, but it is not now. |
| "I am getting on with the business of government and I think people will see by what I say today and what I do in the future that what's on my mind is making this country successful in the future." | "I am getting on with the business of government and I think people will see by what I say today and what I do in the future that what's on my mind is making this country successful in the future." |
| 'Engage and involve' | |
| He spoke out ahead of a speech to the National Council of Voluntary Organisations, in which he outlined his ambition to lead a government that unifies the country. | He spoke out ahead of a speech to the National Council of Voluntary Organisations, in which he outlined his ambition to lead a government that unifies the country. |
| He said he did "not agree with the old belief of half a century ago that we can issue commands from Whitehall and expect the world to change". | He said he did "not agree with the old belief of half a century ago that we can issue commands from Whitehall and expect the world to change". |
| What stands out is an attempt to wrong-foot the Tories BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full | |
| "Only a new kind of politics can help us meet these challenges - whether it is crime and gang violence, the future health of the nation or climate change. | "Only a new kind of politics can help us meet these challenges - whether it is crime and gang violence, the future health of the nation or climate change. |
| "The solutions will not come simply from narrow debate between states and markets ... We must engage and involve with people on the issues they face in their everyday lives." | "The solutions will not come simply from narrow debate between states and markets ... We must engage and involve with people on the issues they face in their everyday lives." |
| With the new political season beginning in September, Mr Brown said there was no place for "business as usual". | With the new political season beginning in September, Mr Brown said there was no place for "business as usual". |
| "I believe that Britain needs a new type of politics which embraces everyone in this nation, not just a few," he said. | "I believe that Britain needs a new type of politics which embraces everyone in this nation, not just a few," he said. |
| Tory recruits | |
| "A politics built on consensus, not division. A politics that draws on the widest range of talents and expertise, not the narrow circles of power." | "A politics built on consensus, not division. A politics that draws on the widest range of talents and expertise, not the narrow circles of power." |
| Mr Brown said from this week citizens' juries would meet around the country to deal with issues relating to children, the threat of violence and pornography on the internet. | |
| Citizens' juries would discuss crime and communities next week, and at a later date, the future of the NHS. | Citizens' juries would discuss crime and communities next week, and at a later date, the future of the NHS. |
| He announced plans for standing commissions to tackle long-term issues, starting with the role of carers. | He announced plans for standing commissions to tackle long-term issues, starting with the role of carers. |
| He said Tory MP Patrick Mercer, forced to quit as the Conservatives' homeland security spokesman after a row over alleged racist comments, is to advise Lord West on security matters. | He said Tory MP Patrick Mercer, forced to quit as the Conservatives' homeland security spokesman after a row over alleged racist comments, is to advise Lord West on security matters. |
| Fellow Conservative MP John Bercow is to head a review into support to children with learning difficulties. | Fellow Conservative MP John Bercow is to head a review into support to children with learning difficulties. |
| Mr Brown also said that the Lib Dem MP Matthew Taylor would be advising the government on future land-use policy. | Mr Brown also said that the Lib Dem MP Matthew Taylor would be advising the government on future land-use policy. |
| There would also be a Speakers' conference bringing together all parties to discuss the decline in voter turn out, weekend voting and the under-representation of women and ethnic minorities in the House of Commons, he added. | There would also be a Speakers' conference bringing together all parties to discuss the decline in voter turn out, weekend voting and the under-representation of women and ethnic minorities in the House of Commons, he added. |