Gordon Brown's Conference Speech
It has been a long time coming but today Gordon Brown addressed the Labour Party conference for the first time as party leader and as Prime Minister. In typical Brown style he spoke of his own convictions and spoke of his personal belief in both Labour values and British values; with emphasis on the need for unity and the continued connection between England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales in light of the new SNP government in Scotland.
Brown reiterated his commitment to providing a country for us all in which everyone can fulfil their full potential and to ensure everyone has every chance to succeed in a fair, just and equal society. A Britain in which people’s potential is put first and always first.
There were things in his speech to appease the old left of the Labour party as well as the more right wing in our ranks. Many of the socialists will be pleased with his comments on a class-free society which, to quote Gordon: “This is merit rewarded in a Britain not divided by class but united by aspiration and it will show that a class free society is not a slogan but in Britain can become a reality”
On education pledges were made to:
- providing one to one tuition for students whom are falling behind in English and Math, as already exists in private educational institutions
- a minimum of five hours a week sport in schools; as well as greater emphasis on arts in schools
- free universal education until the age of eighteen
- greater grants for those in university education
- for those aged 16 from low income backgrounds who are entering further education a new five year offer consisting of government finance through college and university until the age 21
But pledges were not just made to the children in our society but also to parents. These people can expect:
- raise paid maternity leave to increase from 6 months to 9 months for all mothers
- greater help for parents with disabled children
We can also expect an increase in the national minimum wage. This will be a welcome change for many and seemingly a big u-turn after the recent strife occurring in the last few weeks with the unions and strikes, as well as an additional compulsory four days paid public holiday to be guaranteed.
And on crime:
- Anyone over 18 illegally carrying a gun a to receive a five year sentence
- Greater power to police to confiscate drug profits which in turn will go into police funding
- Expansion of drug treatment and drug education
- Every community by next year to have its own policing team
- A greater crack-down on shops which sell alcohol to people underage.
- Any immigrant found to be selling drugs or guns will be expelled from the country.
I think especially important was Gordon’s comments on foreign policy. The mention of human rights with regards to Zimbabwe and Burma were especially welcome. Despite the perceived failure in Iraq there is an abundance of public support for us to act in Zimbabwe where inflation runs at over 2000% and where the average life expectancy in less than 40 years of age. These are part of the new challenges posed by globalisation; we can no longer afford to turn our back on the rest of the world as the Conservatives may wish us to do so and neither can we specifically turn our back on Europe.
Never again can atrocities like the Rwandan genocide be allowed to go on while the world pretends it isn’t happening. It is international justice that is at the core of a Labour foreign policy.
And on the NHS:
- Double the number of hospital matrons to 5000
- More power to matrons and nurse sisters in all wards and the power to report concerns regarding cleaning contractors and health concerns directly to hospital boards
- Matrons to have the power to order additional cleaning to ensure high standards of hospital cleanliness are met.
- More walk in centres.
- A better service from NHS direct.
- Guaranteed fast track for treatment on breast cancer.
- Extended colon cancer screening into your 70s.
- For all adults a regular NHS check-up.
We will bring you more information on the events at the Labour Party conference when Yeovil CLP delegates Liz George and Charlie George return from Bournemouth.
Brown reiterated his commitment to providing a country for us all in which everyone can fulfil their full potential and to ensure everyone has every chance to succeed in a fair, just and equal society. A Britain in which people’s potential is put first and always first.
There were things in his speech to appease the old left of the Labour party as well as the more right wing in our ranks. Many of the socialists will be pleased with his comments on a class-free society which, to quote Gordon: “This is merit rewarded in a Britain not divided by class but united by aspiration and it will show that a class free society is not a slogan but in Britain can become a reality”
On education pledges were made to:
- providing one to one tuition for students whom are falling behind in English and Math, as already exists in private educational institutions
- a minimum of five hours a week sport in schools; as well as greater emphasis on arts in schools
- free universal education until the age of eighteen
- greater grants for those in university education
- for those aged 16 from low income backgrounds who are entering further education a new five year offer consisting of government finance through college and university until the age 21
But pledges were not just made to the children in our society but also to parents. These people can expect:
- raise paid maternity leave to increase from 6 months to 9 months for all mothers
- greater help for parents with disabled children
We can also expect an increase in the national minimum wage. This will be a welcome change for many and seemingly a big u-turn after the recent strife occurring in the last few weeks with the unions and strikes, as well as an additional compulsory four days paid public holiday to be guaranteed.
And on crime:
- Anyone over 18 illegally carrying a gun a to receive a five year sentence
- Greater power to police to confiscate drug profits which in turn will go into police funding
- Expansion of drug treatment and drug education
- Every community by next year to have its own policing team
- A greater crack-down on shops which sell alcohol to people underage.
- Any immigrant found to be selling drugs or guns will be expelled from the country.
I think especially important was Gordon’s comments on foreign policy. The mention of human rights with regards to Zimbabwe and Burma were especially welcome. Despite the perceived failure in Iraq there is an abundance of public support for us to act in Zimbabwe where inflation runs at over 2000% and where the average life expectancy in less than 40 years of age. These are part of the new challenges posed by globalisation; we can no longer afford to turn our back on the rest of the world as the Conservatives may wish us to do so and neither can we specifically turn our back on Europe.
Never again can atrocities like the Rwandan genocide be allowed to go on while the world pretends it isn’t happening. It is international justice that is at the core of a Labour foreign policy.
And on the NHS:
- Double the number of hospital matrons to 5000
- More power to matrons and nurse sisters in all wards and the power to report concerns regarding cleaning contractors and health concerns directly to hospital boards
- Matrons to have the power to order additional cleaning to ensure high standards of hospital cleanliness are met.
- More walk in centres.
- A better service from NHS direct.
- Guaranteed fast track for treatment on breast cancer.
- Extended colon cancer screening into your 70s.
- For all adults a regular NHS check-up.
We will bring you more information on the events at the Labour Party conference when Yeovil CLP delegates Liz George and Charlie George return from Bournemouth.
posted by Lee Skevington at
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
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