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Wednesday 30th September 2009 | 07:24

Brown: People decide elections, not editorials

07:24
- 30/09/09
- Gordon Brown MP, Prime Minister
- GMTV, ITV

Mr Brown insisted that people, not editorials, win elections following the news that The Sun is to back the Conservatives, and has admitted that he decided 'in his own mind' about participating in TV debates with David Cameron.

“You look to newspapers for news, not propaganda. You’ve got to remember I don’t think editorials decide elections, I think it’s people,” he said.

Asked whether he'd be prepared to take part in a TV debate he said: "I think that’s a question that needs to be dealt with nearer the election. You don’t rule that sort of thing out, but the first thing to do is explain how we’re taking the country through recession."

He said he was "very moved" by his wife's introduction to his speech yesterday and added: "I didn’t really know she was about to do this until the day before yesterday."

07:32 Sky News

Mr Brown later accused Sky Political Editor Adam Boulton of trying to make the TV debate “into a political issue” and of "sounding a bit like a political propagandist". He also said he "of course" would lead Labour into the next election.

Put to him that he couldn’t make up his mind about participating in a TV debate he said: “Nothing about not making up my mind. There is a time for that, and it is not now. You’re trying to make it into a political issue. There will be a time to discuss these issues, I want to get round the country, I want to talk about the policy issues.”

Asked about the “filter” Lord Mandelson yesterday suggested existed between himself and the public he said: “I try to get my message across, it doesn’t help when the newspapers try to translate into something different into what it is.”

Asked about equipment for soldiers in Afghanistan he said: “Our soldiers are very brave and very committed, they’re very professional and we’re giving them all the equipment they need.

“I defy you to say that any urgent operational requirement has been rejected by the Treasury."

07:48 BBC News

Mr Brown later said that it had been “a very very difficult year for our country”, and focused on the economy and MPs’ expenses.

“The debt in Britain is lower than America, is lower than France, is lower than Japan. We’re borrowing more, but the debt is lower," he said.

“In America the deficit is going to be higher than Britain in the next year. It is wrong to say we’re in a unique position.”

08:15 Today, Radio 4

Mr Brown later said he had "decided in my own mind" about a TV debate and accepted that the government "are the insurgents" ahead of the next election.

He said the country had learnt "markets don’t work in themselves to deliver the sustainable economy we want".

"I’ve always been of the view that we need a better global financial regulatory system. What you need is global rules, and we’re trying to get that. That’s the only way it will work - that’s what I’ve been saying for ten years," he said.

"I accept my responsibility for everything that’s happened, and I believe we can sort out these problems."

Asked whether the government would be clearly setting out spending plans before the next election he said: “You’re going to get detail, there is already detail. Alistair Darling will set out the parameters in which he will be working. This is a very uncertain financial situation.

"The Conservatives are saying they’ll cut £30bn next year... we’re spending £30bn next year. We will continure to spend more this year and next year, it’s sensible economics."

He also said that he believed the content of his speech yesterday was "very much in line with the mainstream middle in this country", but conceded that in the position of insurgents rather than traditional incumbents Labour had "a lot to do to persuade people".

"I accept we're the insurgents, we're not the incumbents anymore... and we've got a lot to do to persuade people," he said.

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Leave a comment...

Simon

08:52 |
30 Sep 2009
0

Just to pick up on one of the many points - this global financial regulation thing. He set up the regulatory tripartite system in this country and used to revel in his light touch approach to managing the banks, enobling and knighting more than a few CEO's. Now he claims, in St Vince like fashion, that he advocated stronger control all along, like a lone voice in the wilderness. Is it any wonder why people don't take him seriously anymore. He was Chancellor for 10 years and totally responsible for the debt-ridden mess we now find ourselves in. "The trouble with socialists is that they always run out of other people's money" - Mrs Thatcher.

Cynosarges

09:45 |
30 Sep 2009
Recommended
3

Has Brown never heard of a dictionary???

insurgent - a person who takes part in an armed rebellion against the constituted authority

When you have lost the election, Mr Brown, you may then be able to claim you are the insurgent. Until than, you, as Prime Minister, are the established authority. Don't use words you can't understand, fool

Unfortunately, is appears that the sub-Prime Minister's knowledge of the English language is just as poor as his knowledge of economics.

Silent Hunter

12:06 |
30 Sep 2009
0

Yeah, well he got that one right at least. . . as he will shortly find out to his cost in May/June 2010.

anacobra55@hotmail.com

22:04 |
30 Sep 2009
0

It amazes me how very easy some people can forget just what it was like when the Tories were in power for 12 years. It was one misery after another - it was a party for those who already had and to hell with those who had not. Their attituded (once they were in power ) was that we, the ordinary working and middle classes, had to just suffer and get on with it. The Tories don't need Public Services, nor the NHS - they can pay for these services themselves so why would they have any interest in keeping these services safe for us. As for the 'Sun' article - that shoud be treated with the contempt it deserves. Let's wait and see if this obnoxious article has the oposite effect on the thinking public and the Murdoch clan have egg on their faces.

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