3 September 2007
The Prime Minister has promised "a new type of politics" in an announcement of plans to broaden consultation in government decisions.
In a speech to the National Council of Voluntary Organisations in London, Gordon Brown said that with the new political season starting this autumn [parliamentary recess ends on October 8th], it could no longer be "business as usual".
- PM’s speech on the No 10 YouTube channel - Part 1
- PM’s speech on the No 10 YouTube channel - Part 2
- PM’s speech on the No 10 YouTube channel - Part 3
- Listen to the speech - mp3
The Prime Minister said:
"I believe that Britain needs a new type of politics which embraces everyone in this nation, not just a few. A politics built on consensus, not division. A politics that draws on the widest range of talents and expertise, not the narrow circles of power."
"Whether it is crime and gang violence, the future health of the nation or climate change, the solutions will not come simply from a narrow debate between states and markets."
Mr Brown also announced plans to set up independent citizens juries to help the Government formulate key policies - the first jury will meet later this week on the subject of children - and a citizens summit to help formulate a "British statement of values".
In addition, a cross-party Speaker’s Conference will be held to help tackle the issue of low voter turn-out. Mr Brown said this rarely-used device would "address the problems of the political system itself".
Echoing his calls earlier this year for a government "of all the talent", Mr Brown said he also intended to involve a number of opposition MPs to advise government ministers: Conservative MP Patrick Mercer has been asked to advise the Government’s Security Minister, Lord West; Conservative MP John Bercow is to lead a review of services for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs; and Liberal Democrat MP Matthew Taylor will advise ministers on land use to support sustainable rural communities.
Identifying three failings in British political life - the lack of outreach by political parties, the neglect of ideas from outside Westminster, weak democratic participation at the local level - the PM said the time had come to put aside past differences and "work together" for the good of the nation.
He said:
"This is the right time to discover what we have in common, to cooperate across party lines, to work together with patriotic purpose to do what is right in the British interest and to move from common ground to the higher ground of each doing what we can to advance our country’s best interests and ideals.
"It is a politics of consensus, because our progressive ambitions for Britain will only be met in the mainstream centre ground where all the talents and energies of the country come together.
"It is a politics built on the empowerment and engagement, because lasting change only happens if people make it happen.
"It is a politics of common purpose, because our country is built on the fairness of the British."
Image copyright: Reuters
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