Brown: We will not abandon Liverpool; EXCLUSIVE Prime Minister's recession pledge to city.Byline: BY ROB MERRICK Political CorrespondentGORDON BROWN vowed not to repeat the Tory mistakes of the 1980s when Liverpool was "abandoned" to the misery of recession, as he arrived in the city for today's landmark Cabinet meeting. Speaking exclusively to the Daily Post, the Prime Minister pledged that the Government would do everything it could to help the people of Liverpool - insisting it had a strong future, regardless of the economic crisis. In a wide-ranging interview, Mr Brown revealed the Government was exploring bringing forward huge redevelopment plans for some of the city's hospitals, to help kick-start the economy. He also pledged to look into why Merseyside GPs had been slow to offer family-friendly hours, and insisted he bore no hard feelings towards local MPs who tried to force him out of Downing Street Downing Street, Westminster, London, England. On the street are the British Foreign Office and, at No. 10, the residence of the first lord of the Treasury, who is usually (although not necessarily) the prime minister of Great Britain. last autumn. But Mr Brown was cautious on a possible rescue deal for crisishit Jaguar Land Rover See LANRover. , on which the Daily Post launched a major campaign this week, saying: "I don't think you would expect me to make any announcement until the talks are finished." The Prime Minister also denied his own mistakes had prompted the recession - and insisted behind-the-scenes talks were a better way of achieving peace in Gaza than bowing to pressure to condemn To adjudge or find guilty of a crime and sentence. To declare a building or ship unsafe for use or occupancy. To decide that a navigable vessel is a prize or is unfit for service. Israel. Mr Brown arrives in Liverpool keen to convince voters that his recent blizzard blizzard, winter storm characterized by high winds, low temperatures, and driving snow; according to the official definition given in 1958 by the U.S. Weather Bureau, the winds must exceed 35 mi (56 km) per hr and the temperature 20°F; (−7°C;) or lower. of initiatives will bring forward economic recovery - even as the jobless job·less adj. 1. Having no job. 2. Of or relating to those who have no jobs. n. (used with a pl. verb) Unemployed people considered as a group. Used with the. and home repossession The taking back of an item that has been sold on credit and delivered to the purchaser because the payments have not been made on it. For example, if an individual fails to render prompt payments on a new car, the car might be subject to repossession by the finance company, counts mount. Hence, he said, the focus of Cabinet visits today to businesses, voluntary groups, schools and health centres will be on job creation and investment in key public services Public services is a term usually used to mean services provided by government to its citizens, either directly (through the public sector) or by financing private provision of services. . Pointing to the contrast with Tory reaction to past recessions, Mr Brown said: "Liverpool has shown that the worst way of dealing with world downturn is to neglect and abandon people. "I think the Conservatives abandoned Liverpool in the 1980s, but we are showing we will do everything we can, even as we face a huge global financial problem. We will show the people of Liverpool that we will do everything we can to help them. "The city has a proud past and also, because of its regeneration, will have a strong future. As we come through this world downturn, I think Liverpool's assets and its great talents will become even more obvious to people. "I was in Liverpool for the Capital of Culture and visited some of the events that took place. I'm looking forward to meeting people, hearing what they have got to say and telling them what we are doing." On hospitals, Mr Brown revealed himself to be very wellbriefed on redevelopment plans at the Royal Liverpool (pounds 477m), Alder alder (ôl`dər), name for deciduous trees and shrubs of the genus Alnus of the family Betulaceae (birch family), widely distributed, especially in mountainous and moist areas of the north temperate zone and in the Andes. Hey (pounds 235m) and new mental health facilities (pounds 170m). And he said: "We are bringing forward a number of plans - I think pounds 3bn of plans currently. "In Liverpool, work is progressing on the business case for redevelopment, with work scheduled to begin, I understand, at the Royal in 2011. That's what the plan is at the moment, but obviously we will look at it." Meanwhile, GPs across Merseyside have been accused of dragging their heels on opening at weekends and in the evenings - a key pledge of Mr Brown's - although Liverpool GPs finally signed a deal before Christmas. The Prime Minister said: "In every area, we want to see more GP openings that suit people's working habits. I'm very happy to look at what you say." George Howarth (Knowsley North and Sefton East), Frank Field (Birkenhead) and Peter Kilfoyle (Walton) were among the Labour MPs who tried to force Mr Brown out four months ago. But, asked if he harboured any ill-feeling towards them, the prime minister replied: "No. We get on with the job. The only thing that matters is helping people through these difficult economic times." Many commentators blame Mr Brown's inflating of Britain's debt bubble and lax regulation of the banking system, during his decade as Chancellor, for deepening the current recession. But, asked if he had made mistakes, he replied: "When you look at what has happened in every country and every continent, everyone is affected by this. It's really the global financial system that has not been working well and we've got to sort it out." On Gaza - where 100 MPs have called for him to condemn Israel - the Prime Minister said: "We called for an immediate ceasefire right at the beginning and some of our proposals are being looked at at the moment. "I think that is the best way we can have a resolution of what is a set of tragedies." Finally, praising Liverpool as a "great sporting city", the Prime Minister - an avid football watcher - added: "I'm very impressed by both Liverpool and Everton. They are both having very good seasons. "Liverpool are top of the league at the moment, and there is everything to play for." CAPTION(S): Prime Minister Gordon Brown leaves Lime Street This article is about Lime Street, an American television series. For the railway station in Liverpool, see Liverpool Lime Street railway station. Lime Street last night in a Jaguar car, after arriving by train Picture: COLIN LANE/cl070109primeminister-5; Prime Minister Gordon Brown chats to well-wishers after arriving at Liverpool's Lime Street Station yesterday, for today's Cabinet meeting Picture: COLIN LANE/cl070109primeminister-1; The Prime Minister left Lime Street station in a Jaguar |
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