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Brown vows shift in Iraq emphasis

Hasan Suroor

I will listen and learn, says Labour leader

— PHOTO: AP

LAUNCHING CAMPAIGN: British Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown with his wife Sarah at the launch of his campaign to become leader of the Labour Party in London on Friday. — PHOTO: AP

LONDON: Gordon Brown, Britain's putative next Prime Minister, on Friday indicated that his Government's domestic and foreign policies would be different in tone and emphasis from those of Tony Blair as he formally threw his hat in the token race to succeed the man he fondly described as his "old friend''.

Promising a shift in "emphasis'' on Iraq, Mr Brown admitted that "mistakes'' had been made and more needed to be done to win the "hearts and minds'' of the people.

"I accept that mistakes have been made," he said adding: "I do think in the next few weeks emphasis will shift''. He said he would be visiting Iraq and listen to "what the Government of Iraq says''.

However, he made clear that Britain would "keep our obligations to Iraq'' as mandated by the United Nations.

"New ideas"

Launching his campaign at a Central London venue, barely 24 hours after Mr Blair announced his plans to resign on June 27, Mr Brown promised a Government that will "listen and learn''.

Mr Brown, who is almost certain to be elected as party leader in the absence of a credible challenge, said: "In the weeks and months ahead, my task is to show I have the new ideas, the vision and the experience to earn the trust of the British people."

Mr Brown, who earlier won crucial endorsement from Mr Blair, sought to draw a line under the Blair-Brown divide that marred Mr Blair's leadership saying that his Government would be a "government of all talents'' irrespective of their previous affiliations. He could not resist a dig at Blairities, who have been criticised for their obsession with presentation at the cost of policies.

"Presentation is not a substitute for policies,'' he said and rejected "celebrity politics''. Alluding to criticism that the outgoing Government did not listen to the people, Mr Brown said: "I will listen and I will learn. I will strive to meet people's aspirations... I want to lead a Government humble enough to know its place — where I will always strive to be — and that is on people's side." At the same time, Mr Brown vowed to press ahead with the New Labour project of which he described himself as one of the architects, with Mr Blair.

He praised Mr Blair, saying he led the country for 10 years "with distinction — with courage, passion and insight''.

Earlier, Mr Blair offered his "full support'' to Mr Brown, describing him as the "most successful Chancellor in our country's history''.

"I am absolutely delighted to give my full support to Gordon as the next leader of the Labour Party and as Prime Minister and to endorse him fully... He has shown... that he's got the strength and the experience and the judgment to make a great Prime Minister."

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