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Brown promises 'serious changes' Brown promises 'serious changes'
(11 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has used his New Year message to say 2008 will be a year of "real and serious changes" in the UK.Gordon Brown has used his New Year message to say 2008 will be a year of "real and serious changes" in the UK.
The prime minister said combating the threat posed by terrorist was crucial and there would be "measurable changes in public services" over the next year. The prime minister said combating the threat posed by terrorism was crucial and there would be "measurable changes in public services" over the next year.
He referred to the global credit problem as "the most immediate challenge for every economy", adding that it was an "immediate priority". He said the government would see through reforms in vital areas such as secure energy, pensions and health.
He also said tackling the global credit problem was an "immediate priority" and a challenge for every economy.
Mr Brown became prime minister in June after Tony Blair stepped down.Mr Brown became prime minister in June after Tony Blair stepped down.
He also took over from his predecessor as Labour party leader after he emerged as the only candidate for the post. He also took over from his predecessor as Labour Party leader after he emerged as the only candidate for the post.
Giving his first New Year's message, Mr Brown said: "With important legislation making long-term changes in energy, climate change, health, pensions, planning, housing, education and transport, 2008 will be a year of measurable changes in public services. Giving his first New Year message, Mr Brown said: "With important legislation making long-term changes in energy, climate change, health, pensions, planning, housing, education and transport, 2008 will be a year of measurable changes in public services.
We will not shirk but see through changes and reforms in the vital areas for our future Gordon BrownPrime Minister New Year message in fullWe will not shirk but see through changes and reforms in the vital areas for our future Gordon BrownPrime Minister New Year message in full
"A year for stepping up major long-term reform to meet challenges ranging from globalisation and global warming to the great unfinished business of social reform in our country.""A year for stepping up major long-term reform to meet challenges ranging from globalisation and global warming to the great unfinished business of social reform in our country."
The prime minister also said the government would "continue to work with our international partners to counter the ongoing threat of global terrorism". The prime minister also said the government would "continue to work with our international partners to counter the ongoing threat of global terrorism". "We will not shirk but see through changes and reforms in the vital areas for our future - secure energy, pensions, transport, welfare, education, health and national security," he said.
"We will not shirk but see through changes and reforms in the vital areas for our future - secure energy, pensions, transport, welfare, education, health and national security," he said.
Since taking over as prime minister, Mr Brown's fortunes have fluctuated.Since taking over as prime minister, Mr Brown's fortunes have fluctuated.
He enjoyed initial success in the opinion polls after dealing with a number of high-profile issues, ranging from a foot-and-mouth outbreak to an attempted terror attack.He enjoyed initial success in the opinion polls after dealing with a number of high-profile issues, ranging from a foot-and-mouth outbreak to an attempted terror attack.
'Shared vision''Shared vision'
But his popularity has faltered in recent months.But his popularity has faltered in recent months.
He was widely criticised for appearing indecisive about calling a general election and his government has been hit in recent months by revelations of alleged impropriety in Labour party funding, as well as the loss of discs containing the personal details of 25 million people.He was widely criticised for appearing indecisive about calling a general election and his government has been hit in recent months by revelations of alleged impropriety in Labour party funding, as well as the loss of discs containing the personal details of 25 million people.
In his message, Mr Brown said his policies in the new year would "reflect our shared vision of a new Britain rooted in enduring traditions and values" to ensure the nation was "strong, prosperous and fair".In his message, Mr Brown said his policies in the new year would "reflect our shared vision of a new Britain rooted in enduring traditions and values" to ensure the nation was "strong, prosperous and fair".
"We will only achieve this through hard, persistent effort and by continuing to reach out to all who want to see a better Britain - not the old politics, but new policies equal to the demands of a new time," he said."We will only achieve this through hard, persistent effort and by continuing to reach out to all who want to see a better Britain - not the old politics, but new policies equal to the demands of a new time," he said.