Brown hails Bush's war (Great Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer delivers glowing endorsement)

The Sun (U.K.) ^ | December 17, 2004 | TREVOR KAVANAGH

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Brown hails Bush's war

Speech ... Gordon Brown
 

By TREVOR KAVANAGH
Political Editor

CHANCELLOR Gordon Brown last night hailed US President George W Bush for leading the war on terror — and the invasion of Iraq.

Speaking in New York, he applauded the world’s biggest economy for bouncing back after the September 11 catastrophe.

And in a speech which will surprise the Labour left, he said the USA deserved thanks for leading the fight against terror.

He said: “In Iraq, Afghanistan and round the world I can assure you that Tony Blair and I are determined this alliance endures, prospers and advances from strength to strength.

“Let me acknowledge the debt the world owes to the US for your leadership, not just in the world economy but in the fight against international terrorism.

“Three years after September 11, I am deeply impressed by the resilience and bravery in the face of tragedy.

“Indeed, America has shown by the actions of all its people that while buildings can be destroyed, values are indestructible.

“While lives have been put at risk, the cause of liberty never dies. And while hearts may be broken, your faith in the future is unbreakable.”


 

Praise ... President Bush
 

Mr Brown is an admirer of America’s “can do” economic style. His backing for the US on terror will raise eyebrows among Labour MPs split over the war in Iraq which President Bush has always linked to al-Qaeda.

But the Chancellor insisted the special relationship between America and Britain was more important than divisions over military tactics.

He compared the ties between the two countries today with the Cold War alliance which defeated the Soviet threat after World War II.

He said: “We are today dealing with military, security and strategic challenges to which we must respond comprehensively with clear and defiant resolution.”

He linked the war on terror with the battle for economic fairness across the globe

“What happens to the poorest citizen in the poorest country can directly affect the richest citizen in the richest country,” he said.

“The security threat is not an Iron Curtain but a blanket of fear — permanent, guerrilla war fought not by nation states but by suicide bombers. I am confident we can separate those extremists from the peoples they seek to exploit.”

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Biography of Gordon Brown

Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP
Chancellor of the Exchequer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gordon Brown was appointed as Chancellor of the Exchequer on 2 May 1997. He has been MP for Dunfermline East since 1983 and was Opposition spokesperson on Treasury and Economic Affairs (Shadow Chancellor) from 1992.

Mr Brown was born in 1951 and educated at Kirkcaldy High School and Edinburgh University where he gained 1st Class Honours and then a Doctorate. He was Rector of Edinburgh University and Chairman of the University Court between 1972 and 1975. From 1976 to 1980, Mr Brown lectured at Edinburgh University and then Caledonian University before taking up a post at Scottish TV (1980 - 1983).

After becoming an MP, Mr Brown was the Chair of the Labour Party Scottish Council (1983 - 1984). Before becoming Shadow Chancellor he held two other senior posts on the Opposition front bench - Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury (1987 - 1989) and Shadow Trade and Industry Secretary (1989 -1992).

Mr Brown has had a number of works published including Maxton, The Politics of Nationalism and Devolution and Where There is Greed. He has edited a number of books including John Smith: Life and Soul of the Party and Values, Visions and Voices.

Outside of work, Mr Brown`s interests include football, tennis and film.

Internal links

Chancellor´s speeches

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If you would like to send a big, warm, American THANK YOU! to Chancellor Brown for his kind words about our President and his steadfast support in the war on terror, you may do so with this address information:

Emails and letters for the Chancellor and his ministerial team come in the first instance into HM Treasury's Correspondence and Enquiry Unit and then are sent into the Chancellor's Private Office.  All correspondence received is replied to, within 15 working days and so you will receive a response.

To email the Chancellor or the ministerial team, the address is:
ministers@hm-treasury.gsi.gov.uk

and to send a letter the address is:
Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP
Chancellor of the Exchequer
HM Treasury
1 Horse Guards Road
LONDON SW1A 2HQ

You can also fax correspondence on 020 7270 4580

Contact Us

[TheMole]

Wow, excellent stuff ... especially as Brown is supposed to be the most likely person to take over as leader if Tony Blair were to step down. I don't know how much of this is personal conviction and how much of it is seeing which the the wind is blowing, but either way I like it.

[insider_uk]

I wonder if he needs a visa, for someone?

[muir_redwoods]

Every now and then I'm reminded why there is a special relationship between the UK and the USA. This is one of those times.

[Valin]

And where are the Tories?

[prairiebreeze]

For this thread I'll resurrect a tagline I created during the fall of Baghdad.

[prairiebreeze]

And I'll add Australia to that designation too. bump for our allies.

[Stoat]

2007 Update....it seems that PM Brown has not changed his public rhetoric at all from his stated positions in 2004....certainly an encouraging sign.

PM hails Bush's leadership (Mr Brown stunned critics by THANKING President Bush)