Premiership of Gordon Brown - Core Policies

Core Policies

Brown was careful not to suggest that there would be any U-turns in the key areas of Blair's social policy, or any radical breakaway from New Labour. He did, however, propose a different style of government than that of Blair's much-criticised 'presidential-style' government. Brown was not too clear on certain parts of his policies, but he did suggest that a Brown-led government would introduce the following;:

• Sleaze-busting package - Following the cash for honours scandal, Brown emphasised cracking down on sleaze. This led to the belief that Brown would introduce a new Ministerial Code that would set out clear standards of behaviour for ministers. He said that he intended to strip Number 10 Downing Street of some the powers conferred on it by royal prerogative, including the ability to declare war, thus giving the Parliament more powers and rights to vet and veto appointments to senior public positions, in a bid to crack down on cronyism after Tony's Cronies.
• Environment - Pledge to make Britain a "World Leader" in combating climate change, with big cuts in carbon emissions that were even bigger than most other developed nations.
• Constitutional reform - Brown did not make it clear whether he proposed a written constitution – something the UK has never had – or a looser bill of rights. He said in a speech when announcing his bid that he wanted a “better constitution” that was “clear about the rights and responsibilities of being a citizen in Britain today”. He planned to set up an all-party convention to look at new powers for Parliament, which could also look at rebalancing powers between Whitehall and local government. Brown also said that he would give Parliament the final say on whether British troops are sent into action.
• Housing - It was suggested that House Planning restrictions could be relaxed. Brown said that he wanted to release more land and ease access to ownership with shared equity schemes. He backed a proposal to build five eco-towns, each housing between 10,000 and 20,000 homeowners – up to 100,000 new homes in total.
• Health - Brown said he wanted to have doctors' surgeries open at weekends, and GPs on call in the evenings. Doctors had been given the right of opting out of out-of-hours care two years previously, under a controversial pay deal, signed by then-Health Secretary John Reid, that awarded them a 22 per cent pay rise in 2006. Lord Ara Darzi was appointed to review NHS service delivery, especially in London; proposed policies included the induction of polyclinics, open to tender and possibly run by private companies.
• Foreign policy - Brown remained committed to the Iraq War, but said in a speech that he would "learn the lessons" from the mistakes made in Iraq. He remained supportive of American policies, but said that he wanted a more "solid but not slavish" relationship with Washington.
• SOCPA - Brown intended to repeal sections 132 to 137 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, thereby enabling protest within the area around Parliament without prior permission from the Metropolitan Police.
• ID cards - Brown’s campaign manager had hinted that one of Blair’s unpopular key policies would be reviewed. The cost of the £5.5 billion scheme was spiralling. However, Brown said on 12 May that he would press ahead with it.
• Europe - Brown supported the EU Reform Treaty and repeatedly dismissed calls for a referendum on the issue.