Brown backs Blair’s reforms
Gordon Brown last night backed Tony Blair’s programme of public service reform, and made clear he would not stop if he became prime minister.
Mr Blair was heckled and booed as he tried to defend his reforms to the TUC in Brighton yesterday afternoon, with some members of the RMT walking out.
But later, at a private TUC dinner, the chancellor told unionists that he supported the prime minister’s call for further reform to meet the challenges of globalisation.
“My vision is by reform – where I support everything Tony Blair said – and by emphasis on excellence and the highest of standards, to build better public services,” he said, according to pre-released comments.
“And in particular to meet the ambition to make Britain the most skilled and most educated workforce in the world.”
Mr Brown added: “I urge all to support Tony Blair in what he said about our reforms in health so that we can show that a universal health service free to all at the point of need is renewed and reinvigorated through reform to serve the British people.”
During an unscripted part of his speech yesterday, Mr Blair – giving his final address to the TUC as prime minister – warned that unions must chose between accepting his reform agenda and facing irrelevance under a Conservative government.
“I’m not saying that everything has been great because it hasn’t, but for those of you who think you’ll get a government where everything is fine – that doesn’t happen,” he told delegates.
“But what does happen is progress if you have the determination and courage to stay in government.
“The most important thing to remember in all of this is that we did for years and years pass our resolutions and have our debates and it didn’t make the blindest bit of difference.”
In reference to the infighting of the past weeks among Labour MPs, and the hostile reaction to his speech by unionists, Mr Blair said he wanted to see Labour stay in government after he quit, but said this would only happen if “we focus on policy”.
“You must accept that government is a hard and difficult business, but it’s a damn sight better than passing resolutions in opposition that no-one gives a damn about. That’s the brutal truth,” he said.
