Gordon Brown has told business leaders in Scotland that the union must remain if Britain is to weather the current economic storm.In a speech to Scotland's Confederation of British Industry (CBI) yesterday evening the prime minister emphasised the current difficult economic conditions but maintained he was optimistic his government was working to help people. He described the current situation as the "first great financial crisis of the global age", highlighting the devastating effect of the credit crunch and trebling of oil prices. Mr Brown also said his government recognised that rising oil, food and commodity prices represented "the greatest threat to higher standards of living for British families today". He claimed that Britain has always met challenges head-on and that Scotland's presence in the union was crucial to surviving the current problems. "The constitution of the union has always evolved to meet the changing needs and rising hopes of our people as it did most notably when we created the Scottish Parliament - within the United Kingdom -10 years ago," Mr Brown said. "There is a modern case for the union and it must be heard. It is not about partnership at the expense of pride; nor about pride that can satisfied only by sacrificing partnership. "As our triple gold medallist Chris Hoy said: "Scotland is part of Britain - they are not mutually exclusive." The prime minister tried to play down fears that Britain is heading into a recession and worries over rising energy prices. And as part of his speech he announced the approval of a new offshore windfarm, near Walney Island - off the coast of Barrow-in-Furness, which will consist of up to 139 turbines. There is expected to be an official announcement on fuel next week, aimed at reducing people's bills, however, it will not take the form of a one-off payment. The opposition was less enthusiastic about Mr Brown's assurances, with Conservative shadow chancellor, George Osborne, saying: "The prime minister is in denial about both the crisis of confidence in his leadership and the economic crisis facing the country. "His speech is totally at odds with the bleak assessment given by his chancellor just five days ago. "Gordon Brown says he is cautiously optimistic, while Alistair Darling says the UK’s economic problems will be more profound and longer lasting than people expected. "At a time when Britain needs strong and united leadership with a clear sense of direction, we have a Labour government descending into civil war and a chancellor and a prime minister who publicly disagree on the severity of the problems we face." Triple Olympic gold medalist Chris Hoy objected to Mr Brown's remarks, and those made earlier by Alex Salmond, saying: "I ride a bike, I'm not a politician."
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Brown calls for united Britain to fight 'financial crisis'
Brown calls for united Britain to fight 'financial crisis'
Gordon Brown has told business leaders in Scotland that the union must remain if Britain is to weather the current economic storm.In a speech to Scotland's Confederation of British Industry (CBI) yesterday evening the prime minister emphasised the current difficult economic conditions but maintained he was optimistic his government was working to help people. He described the current situation as the "first great financial crisis of the global age", highlighting the devastating effect of the credit crunch and trebling of oil prices. Mr Brown also said his government recognised that rising oil, food and commodity prices represented "the greatest threat to higher standards of living for British families today". He claimed that Britain has always met challenges head-on and that Scotland's presence in the union was crucial to surviving the current problems. "The constitution of the union has always evolved to meet the changing needs and rising hopes of our people as it did most notably when we created the Scottish Parliament - within the United Kingdom -10 years ago," Mr Brown said. "There is a modern case for the union and it must be heard. It is not about partnership at the expense of pride; nor about pride that can satisfied only by sacrificing partnership. "As our triple gold medallist Chris Hoy said: "Scotland is part of Britain - they are not mutually exclusive." The prime minister tried to play down fears that Britain is heading into a recession and worries over rising energy prices. And as part of his speech he announced the approval of a new offshore windfarm, near Walney Island - off the coast of Barrow-in-Furness, which will consist of up to 139 turbines. There is expected to be an official announcement on fuel next week, aimed at reducing people's bills, however, it will not take the form of a one-off payment. The opposition was less enthusiastic about Mr Brown's assurances, with Conservative shadow chancellor, George Osborne, saying: "The prime minister is in denial about both the crisis of confidence in his leadership and the economic crisis facing the country. "His speech is totally at odds with the bleak assessment given by his chancellor just five days ago. "Gordon Brown says he is cautiously optimistic, while Alistair Darling says the UK’s economic problems will be more profound and longer lasting than people expected. "At a time when Britain needs strong and united leadership with a clear sense of direction, we have a Labour government descending into civil war and a chancellor and a prime minister who publicly disagree on the severity of the problems we face." Triple Olympic gold medalist Chris Hoy objected to Mr Brown's remarks, and those made earlier by Alex Salmond, saying: "I ride a bike, I'm not a politician."
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Gordon Brown has told business leaders in Scotland that the union must remain if Britain is to weather the current economic storm.In a speech to Scotland's Confederation of British Industry (CBI) yesterday evening the prime minister emphasised the current difficult economic conditions but maintained he was optimistic his government was working to help people. He described the current situation as the "first great financial crisis of the global age", highlighting the devastating effect of the credit crunch and trebling of oil prices. Mr Brown also said his government recognised that rising oil, food and commodity prices represented "the greatest threat to higher standards of living for British families today". He claimed that Britain has always met challenges head-on and that Scotland's presence in the union was crucial to surviving the current problems. "The constitution of the union has always evolved to meet the changing needs and rising hopes of our people as it did most notably when we created the Scottish Parliament - within the United Kingdom -10 years ago," Mr Brown said. "There is a modern case for the union and it must be heard. It is not about partnership at the expense of pride; nor about pride that can satisfied only by sacrificing partnership. "As our triple gold medallist Chris Hoy said: "Scotland is part of Britain - they are not mutually exclusive." The prime minister tried to play down fears that Britain is heading into a recession and worries over rising energy prices. And as part of his speech he announced the approval of a new offshore windfarm, near Walney Island - off the coast of Barrow-in-Furness, which will consist of up to 139 turbines. There is expected to be an official announcement on fuel next week, aimed at reducing people's bills, however, it will not take the form of a one-off payment. The opposition was less enthusiastic about Mr Brown's assurances, with Conservative shadow chancellor, George Osborne, saying: "The prime minister is in denial about both the crisis of confidence in his leadership and the economic crisis facing the country. "His speech is totally at odds with the bleak assessment given by his chancellor just five days ago. "Gordon Brown says he is cautiously optimistic, while Alistair Darling says the UK’s economic problems will be more profound and longer lasting than people expected. "At a time when Britain needs strong and united leadership with a clear sense of direction, we have a Labour government descending into civil war and a chancellor and a prime minister who publicly disagree on the severity of the problems we face." Triple Olympic gold medalist Chris Hoy objected to Mr Brown's remarks, and those made earlier by Alex Salmond, saying: "I ride a bike, I'm not a politician."
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