It's a common view in the media that Gordon Brown has yet to 'explain' his vision.  I happened to catch a speech he made a couple of weeks ago that gives a clear a sense of who he is and what he believes in as I think you're going to get. 

It wasn't extensively reported in the press, perhaps partly because it was to a church audience, or because it took place in Scotland. I think the biggest reason was because it can't be reduced to a one sentence soundbite. 

Commentators simply can't have it both ways - complaining one week that Brown has explained his mission and then failing to report its detail and tone of a landmark speech. Even those without faith can gain a lot from reading Brown's speech to the Church of Scotland, so here it is in full.

http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page15582.asp

Two senior figures offer advice to Gordon Brown in the wake of the result in Crewe and Nantwich.

I was pondering this on my blog...Did blair engineer the 10p tax fiasco, knowing fine well that Brown would have to deal with it and would probably bugger it up?

I am sick to the back teeth with how anyone could back a racist, bigoted, homophobic toff for mayor.....a person that has made a career out of acting the clown!

Why are there so many tories commenting on everything here?

Gordon Brown has ruled out the possibility of his taking part in a US style televised debate with David Cameron and Nick Clegg in the run up to the next General Election.

The statement launched by Progress today is to be welcomed. Not because they are right but because it helps spark a debate. So far its largely Compass saying that Brown needs to up his game. Now there is contestability over which direction and the more free market elements of Labour’s big tent will presumably welcome an injection of political competition.

Is it time for Gordon Brown to be brave and hold a referendum on the EU Treaty?

Today's Observer noted that Brown and Clegg have been holding talks with regards to constitutional reform.

Following Brown's grilling by the Commons' liaison committee, now seems an appropriate time to briefly assess how he's doing...

Reports suggest that Brown is to push for Hayden Phillips’ full recommendations on party finance in a speech today. This will essentially limit trade unions to donating 50k to the Labour Party. It is a reckless gamble.

Gordon Brown called off an election to show us his vision. It's time he started doing so.

Gordon Brown has welcomed Margaret Thatcher to Downing Street for a chat according to the BBC.

The words that I thought when I saw this I cannot repeat on taste and decency grounds, so I'll content myself with Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh! Gordon, can we have OUR party back, please?

The think-thank Reform has a interesting report setting out how in the 1st month of the Brown era, a reverse gear has been found on the public sector reforms we saw during the Blair era.  Many I guess will welcome this, but as the Reform report point's out the 'inital decisions will impose an upwards pressure on public sector costs'.

As I sat listening to Gordon earlier today I was struck by this passage:

"So that is why our National Executive will now consult with members on policy forums in every constituency, leading to a stronger National Policy Forum better able to deal with big issues of the day.  And just as we have one member one vote to choose our leaders, we propose that the final decision on the party programme will be made by one member one vote."

What exactly does this mean? Is Gordon suggesting that any future manifesto will be subject to the endorsement of party members?

The BBC is reporting that Gordon Brown offered Lord Ashdown a Cabinet post but he (Ashdown) turned it down following discussions with his leader, Sir Ming Campbell.