Could it be? Has Brown admitted that he needs to rethink his approach, that he needs to change? Has he – in a roundabout way – apologised? It was starting to look that way earlier today, with the publication of an article by the PM in the Parliamentary Monitor. The subhead of that article: “The world has changed so much since New Labour came to power that it makes sense at this conference to rethink the way we govern Britain, writes prime minister Gordon Brown.” And it contains such calls to change as:
And“I believe that Britain is well placed to withstand the shocks that these transformations bring, but if we are to seize on the opportunities these new challenges present, then the country, the government, and New Labour must do more.”
“…the way we govern must change too. That is why in Manchester this year it is time to adapt and rethink New Labour policy.”
But – as Nick Robinson points out – No.10 are now doing their best to tone the change talk down. Apparently, Brown only meant to suggest that New Labour need to rethink their past policies which – in his eyes – have no place in the current economic climate. As Robinson puts it, that sounds more like a rethink of Blairism than of Brownism. If so, it’s a message which could give Brown an easier ride in his address to TUC leaders later.
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