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| Labour 'united despite mistakes' | Labour 'united despite mistakes' |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The Labour government has "made some mistakes" during the past few weeks, but remains united, Schools Secretary Ed Balls has said. | The Labour government has "made some mistakes" during the past few weeks, but remains united, Schools Secretary Ed Balls has said. |
| In a speech to Labour supporters Mr Balls, a close ally of PM Gordon Brown, said the party had the "strength to deal with difficult times". | In a speech to Labour supporters Mr Balls, a close ally of PM Gordon Brown, said the party had the "strength to deal with difficult times". |
| "It is still our party that has been setting the policy agenda," he insisted. | "It is still our party that has been setting the policy agenda," he insisted. |
| The government's parliamentary plans are to be set out on Tuesday. | The government's parliamentary plans are to be set out on Tuesday. |
| Echoing comments Mr Brown made in October about "ups and downs", Mr Balls said the party had been boosted by a successful conference in September but all was not plain sailing. | Echoing comments Mr Brown made in October about "ups and downs", Mr Balls said the party had been boosted by a successful conference in September but all was not plain sailing. |
| I believe that as a party and a government we have shown the strength to deal with difficult times Ed BallsSchools Secretary | I believe that as a party and a government we have shown the strength to deal with difficult times Ed BallsSchools Secretary |
| "Since then - what can I say - it's been a bit up and down. And we have made some mistakes. | "Since then - what can I say - it's been a bit up and down. And we have made some mistakes. |
| "But for all the sound and fury of the past few weeks, it is still our party that has been setting the policy agenda - not taking the easy, short-term course, not just chasing headlines, but showing how a Labour government will meet the long-term challenges our country faces. | "But for all the sound and fury of the past few weeks, it is still our party that has been setting the policy agenda - not taking the easy, short-term course, not just chasing headlines, but showing how a Labour government will meet the long-term challenges our country faces. |
| "And I believe that as a party and a government we have shown the strength to deal with difficult times and keep setting the agenda and responding to the concerns of the British people." | "And I believe that as a party and a government we have shown the strength to deal with difficult times and keep setting the agenda and responding to the concerns of the British people." |
| Mr Brown quashed election speculation in early October, saying he wanted a chance to show his vision for Britain. | Mr Brown quashed election speculation in early October, saying he wanted a chance to show his vision for Britain. |
| 'Families first' | 'Families first' |
| Mr Balls, speaking on Saturday, said: "In the Queen's Speech next week we will set out our programme: to respond to the rising aspirations of the British people; to ensure security for all; to entrust more power to Parliament and the people; and to build a Britain where everybody can rise as far as their talents will take them. | Mr Balls, speaking on Saturday, said: "In the Queen's Speech next week we will set out our programme: to respond to the rising aspirations of the British people; to ensure security for all; to entrust more power to Parliament and the people; and to build a Britain where everybody can rise as far as their talents will take them. |
| "And we will put the concerns of families in every part of our country first." | "And we will put the concerns of families in every part of our country first." |
| He criticised the Conservatives for policies which "hold people back". | He criticised the Conservatives for policies which "hold people back". |
| "Whether it's on families, health or education, the Tories' vision is a vision of a two-tier Britain. | "Whether it's on families, health or education, the Tories' vision is a vision of a two-tier Britain. |
| "David Cameron stands for a two-tier Britain, two tiers of opportunity - not just holding young people back from reaching their full potential, but holding the whole country back from what we can achieve together. | "David Cameron stands for a two-tier Britain, two tiers of opportunity - not just holding young people back from reaching their full potential, but holding the whole country back from what we can achieve together. |
| Immigration | Immigration |
| "Labour is not just the Party of the Union, but the true 'one nation' party in British politics. It is our values and our vision which will deliver the change that Britain needs and win the trust of the British people." | |
| The Government was also hit this week by disclosures that it had seriously underestimated the number of foreign workers coming to the UK. | |
| It came as Mr Cameron reopened the debate on immigration, calling for a cap on overall numbers. | It came as Mr Cameron reopened the debate on immigration, calling for a cap on overall numbers. |
| But Mr Balls dismissed his speech as "just scaremongering and playing to people's fears without any solution to speak of". |
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