04/03/2009

Unapologetic Brown Reaches Out To Congress

Gordon Brown is to make a joint address to both US houses of congress today, in a bid to strengthen UK and American relations amid a growing international financial crisis.

The Prime Minister will become the fifth British leader to speak at Capitol Hill, and is expected to urge US lawmakers to "seize the moment" and "make the future work for us".

Mr Brown aims to reduce protectionism in the US, which could boost the nations international spending and generate jobs across the World.

Meanwhile, Mr Brown has came under fire at home for refusing to apologise for the state of the UK economy.

Speaking to the BBC he said "humility" and "collective responsibility" were always needed, but stopped short of accepting any responsibility.

"The idea... that somehow this is a British problem that was a British government mistake, actually what happened is that round the world, as everybody understands, the whole global financial system seized up," said the Prime Minister.

Mr Brown also said he would continue to push for tighter international financial supervision.

President Barack Obama received the Prime Minister yesterday, making Mr Brown the first European leader to meet with the new US head of state.

(PR/JM)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

01 April 2008
British Troop Withdrawal From Iraq 'Unlikely'
The Defence Secretary Des Browne is expected to tell the Commons that there are currently no plans to reduce the number of British troops in Iraq. Ambitious plans to decrease the number of soldiers from 4,100 may have been withdrawn, sparked by recent fighting in Basra, the BBC has reported.
01 September 2009
Brown's Tough Stance On Bank Bonuses
Bankers should not make short-term 'speculative gains', but instead be rewarded for long-term results. That is the message from Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who has pledged to get tougher on excessive payouts for bankers.
28 October 2008
Brown Bounce Continues
Labour appears to be closing in on the Tory's lead in opinion polls - in what has been referred to as the 'Brown Bounce'. Figures published today suggest the Prime Minister's handling of the financial meltdown has restored the public's confidence in his party. Gordon Brown has slashed the Conservative's lead by more than half.
25 July 2007
More homes evacuated as flood misery continues
Around 250 homes have been evacuated in Oxford as the city became the latest area of Britain to be affected by flooding. The homes were evacuated in the Osney area of the city and some residents seeking shelter stayed in Oxford United's Kassam stadium.
16 January 2006
Baby joy for Chancellor Gordon Brown
The wife of Chancellor Gordon Brown is pregnant, a Treasury spokesperson has announced. Mr Brown's wife Sarah is expecting the baby in July and the spokesperson said that the couple were "absolutely delighted" with the news. Mr and Mrs Brown have a two-year-old son John, who is named after the Chancellor's father.