I am the right man to lead country: Brown
Britain's beleaguered Premier Gordon Brown on Wednesday claimed he is the right man to lead the country during the current economic crisis.
By Agencies |
LONDON: Britain's beleaguered Premier Gordon Brown on Wednesday claimed he is the right man to lead the country during the current economic crisis and asserted this is not the time for a novice, apparently pointing at Tory leader David Cameron and Labour's aspirant David Miliband.
In an address to his party's annual rally in the northern England city of Manchester, Brown admitted that he might be seen as too serious and had made mistakes but said about both Tories and his potential rival for the leadership, David Miliband, "This is no time for a novice."
Brown also asked MPs to stand by him rather than gamble on a challenge when Britain was struggling to cope with the economic slowdown.
"The British people would not forgive us if at this time we look into the affairs of our party only when our duty is to the interests of our country," Brown said.
The Prime Minister also unveiled plans to scrap prescription charges for cancer patients, allow elderly people to stay at home rather than going into care and give all two-year-old free nursery places.
His conceded that he had slipped up over the 10 per cent tax rate but insisted now was the moment Labour had to stand firm and pull together.
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He was given a standing ovation lasting about five minutes and the unions immediately declared his performance had ended the leadership speculations. Foreign Secretary David Miliband who has been at the centre of the leadership speculation in recent months, said the speech was "excellent". "I think Gordon found his true voice," he said.
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