Brown reaches out to middle Britain
Brown reaches out to middle Britain
Monday 18th January 2010
Gordon Brown has attempted to draw a line under accusations he has been stoking a class war with a direct appeal to the "mainstream majority" of Britain.In a pre-election campaign speech in central London he pledged to put "social mobility" at the top of his agenda and to create more middle class jobs than ever before.
The Conservatives, who have attacked the prime minister for saying their policies originated from the playing fields of Eton, have admitted their first action in office if they win the next election, expected in May, will be to make significant public spending cuts.
But Mr Brown told the Fabian Society that these cuts would betray the middle classes.
"A fair society is one where everyone who works hard and plays by the rules has a chance to fulfil their dreams whether that's owning a bigger house, taking a holiday abroad, buying a new car or starting a small business," he said.
"And this is the next project for New Labour, our next generation project... The coming decade will provide the UK with more middle class jobs than ever before."
The Tories reacted to the prime minister's speech with scorn. Shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Philip Hammond said the notion that Mr Brown could be the champion of the middle classes was "laughable".
"One minute Gordon Brown's a class warrior, the next he is a friend of middle Britain," Mr Hammond said.
"Middle Britain won't forget that it was Gordon Brown who destroyed their pensions, increased their taxes and crippled social mobility."
Related News
Growing confidence for economic recovery - 18/01/10
Businesses are considerably more optimistic about the country's economic prospects compared to this time last year, a new survey from Lloyds TSB has found
Businesses are considerably more optimistic about the country's economic prospects compared to this time last year, a new survey from Lloyds TSB has found
Osborne pledges immediate spending cuts - 15/01/10
George Osborne has said for the first time that a Conservative government would make reductions to government spending if they win the general election this year
George Osborne has said for the first time that a Conservative government would make reductions to government spending if they win the general election this year
BA and miners help lift FTSE 100 - 15/01/10
British Airways and the mining sector helped lift the FTSE 100 slightly on Friday morning
British Airways and the mining sector helped lift the FTSE 100 slightly on Friday morning
Obama to banks: We want our money back - 15/01/10
Barack Obama has announced a new tax on the US banking sector, telling Wall Street it must repay $117 billion (£72 billion) of taxpayers' money
Barack Obama has announced a new tax on the US banking sector, telling Wall Street it must repay $117 billion (£72 billion) of taxpayers' money
Miners help FTSE 100 fight retail gloom - 14/01/10
Miners helped the FTSE 100 counter significant losses in the retail sector on Thursday
Miners helped the FTSE 100 counter significant losses in the retail sector on Thursday
News Article Search
Quick Apply
News Archive