Tag: James Purnell

Why the centre-left needs to back Brown

Free Radical Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:20:23 PM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

I have never been a big fan of Gordon Brown, though I always thought he had his good points. Within the terms of the job, he was a brilliant Chancellor of the Exchequer. I also believe that he is essentially principled and not in any sense corrupt. But, I have never been a big fan because Gordon Brown, just like Tony Blair, was one of the main architects of so-called “New Labour.” He is fervently pro-market, championed things like PFI, didn’t oppose the Iraq invasion, wants ID cards and 42 days detentions without trial, and, essentially, I see him as a kind of neo-liberal with a reforming bent and a little dash of social democracy about him. Politically there has never been much to choose between Blair and Brown, though of the two I preferred Brown. At least he lacked the frightening megalomania of Blair – at least he doesn’t see himself as The Nation personified.

It’s not a ringing endorsement of our leader and Prime Minister, I admit. But, given all of this, I want to explain why the centre-left in the Party needs to back Gordon Brown in the current circumstances.



Benefit reforms: James Purnell writes

alexhilton Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 11:17:53 AM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

When Oliver Letwin, the man in charge of the Tory policy review, declared that the welfare system had to go beyond mere safety nets to encompass redistribution of money, it was hailed - not least by the Guardian - as a decisive break with the past.

Writes James Purnell in The Guardian
The DWP Green Paper "No-one written off" was published today.




James Purnell takes on Cameron

snowflake5 Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 11:02:42 PM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

Here's a quote from the speech:



Reshuffle HEADLINES

howard Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 05:09:58 PM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

Peter Hain resigns
James Purnell becomes new Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Andy Burnham becomes new Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport
Yvette Cooper takes over as Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Caroline Flint replaces her as Housing Minister