Gordon Brown // Current

Organ donor 'opt out' scheme rejected

It's not looking likely that Britain will introduce a system of presumed consent for organ donation after research into the... more

richjm
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Saving car giants will cause havoc, Gordon Brown warns US

Once every country in the world is democratically elected, respects civil rights for ALL citizens, there is no war, there is no... more

tbowman131
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Gordon Brown hints at tax cuts for poor and support for green technology

In a speech in New York, the prime minister also suggested UK interest rates would be cut again soon In a speech at the Council... more

bonemachine
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UK meets Obama's request for more troops

Up to 2,000 extra British troops are likely to be sent to Afghanistan next year, the BBC has learned. Ministers are... more

InformedTexan
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Brown urges US to join 'new global order'

Gordon Brown has urged America to join forces with the EU to build a new global order. Speaking at his annual foreign policy... more

abbym0308
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Surprise! Labour claim victory in Glenrothes by-election

In a week where the world has been focused on a certain new US president getting elected, not many have been watching the,... more

mattbrawn
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What does Obama's win mean for Britain?

Apart from Oprah Winfrey possibly (and, frankly, bizarrely) being appointed Ambassador to Great Britain, what will an Obama presidency mean for us?

Despite having to show relative impartiality over US politics, Gordon Brown is clearly very happy about an Obama win. Upon becoming Prime Minister he sought to distance himself from George W. Bush, having seen the damage the Tony Blair's friendship with Bush did to his reputation. According to the BBC though, Brown is "is keen to jostle to the front of the queue of European leaders anxious to be seen with [Obama] first." Repairing the 'special relationship' between the US and the UK is now high on Brown's agenda.

Regarding Iraq, the BBC thinks Obama will give Brown the cover he needs to pull British troops out of the region and that the two men are in agreement on exit strategy. It's worth noting, however, that just before the majority of American votors cast their ballot, Washington diplomats said that if he won, Obama would ask Britain to send a thousand more troops into Afghanistan.

Brown and Obama are expected to share similar views on improving the economy in their countries and the environment but when it comes to globalisation, and in particular to world trade, there may be some disagreements ahead.

The Guardian reports that Brown is aware the economic crisis in the US means Europe won't immediately be right at the top of his agenda.

A No 10 staff member told the paper: "Gordon has been around the block. He knows US politics, and the Democrats, intimately. He is aware of the domestic pressures on Obama, and knows that he cannot do everything we want at once. He understands the dynamics of Senate and Congress and the pressure for an America First policy to protect jobs and homes. It's Gordon's job to try to persuade Obama that by engaging with some of these difficult international financial issues, Obama will be helping Americans with their jobs and mortgages."

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The Financial Times reports on how Obama will need Europe in Arghanistan: http://tinyurl.com/5qhtd9Apart from Oprah Winfrey possibly (and, frankly, bizarrely) being appointed Ambassador to Great Britain, what will an Obama... more