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'Humility needed' on economy - PM 'Humility needed' on economy - PM
(10 minutes later)
Gordon Brown will not run away from his responsibility for his role in the UK's economic crisis, he has told the BBC.Gordon Brown will not run away from his responsibility for his role in the UK's economic crisis, he has told the BBC.
He told the BBC's political editor Nick Robinson Britain's financial woes were part of a wider, global problem, but admitted "humility" was needed.He told the BBC's political editor Nick Robinson Britain's financial woes were part of a wider, global problem, but admitted "humility" was needed.
The prime minister was speaking ahead of a speech to both houses of Congress in which he is expected to issue a plea to the US to avoid protectionism.The prime minister was speaking ahead of a speech to both houses of Congress in which he is expected to issue a plea to the US to avoid protectionism.
Mr Brown is the fifth UK prime minister to address both houses on Capitol Hill.Mr Brown is the fifth UK prime minister to address both houses on Capitol Hill.
He follows Winston Churchill, Clement Attlee, Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair.He follows Winston Churchill, Clement Attlee, Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair.
When pressed about his role in the UK's economic crisis, Mr Brown told the BBC: "I think there is always a need for humility and there's always a need to accept collective responsibility...When pressed about his role in the UK's economic crisis, Mr Brown told the BBC: "I think there is always a need for humility and there's always a need to accept collective responsibility...
"I don't think I would run away from responsibility for what happens.""I don't think I would run away from responsibility for what happens."
'Common interest''Common interest'
"And the idea ... that somehow this is a British problem that was a British government mistake, actually what happened is that round the world, as everybody understands, the whole global financial system seized up.""And the idea ... that somehow this is a British problem that was a British government mistake, actually what happened is that round the world, as everybody understands, the whole global financial system seized up."
Mr Brown was responding to comments first made by Chancellor Alistair Darling, suggesting the Government should show "humility" and accept "collective responsibility" for the crisis. Mr Brown was responding to comments first made by Chancellor Alistair Darling, suggesting the government should show "humility" and accept "collective responsibility" for the crisis.
When he addresses Congress, Mr Brown is expected to compare the battle against recession to the fight against fascism in the 1940s.When he addresses Congress, Mr Brown is expected to compare the battle against recession to the fight against fascism in the 1940s.
He is expected to focus on the challenges facing the global economy, reiterating calls for a strong UK-US relationship.He is expected to focus on the challenges facing the global economy, reiterating calls for a strong UK-US relationship.
He is also likely to talk about the military situation in Afghanistan.He is also likely to talk about the military situation in Afghanistan.
After a meeting with Barack Obama on Tuesday, the US president said the "special relationship" between the countries would "only grow stronger".After a meeting with Barack Obama on Tuesday, the US president said the "special relationship" between the countries would "only grow stronger".
After about an hour of talks at the White House, Mr Brown and Mr Obama said they agreed that improvements were needed to the regulation of the global banking system.After about an hour of talks at the White House, Mr Brown and Mr Obama said they agreed that improvements were needed to the regulation of the global banking system.
Mr Obama warned that countries should not "project inwards" by encouraging protectionism during the economic crisis.Mr Obama warned that countries should not "project inwards" by encouraging protectionism during the economic crisis.
Mr Brown said the two countries were pursuing a "common interest" in a "global new deal".Mr Brown said the two countries were pursuing a "common interest" in a "global new deal".
The prime minister's US visit comes ahead of a summit of the Group of 20 (G20) developed and emerging economies in London on 2 April.The prime minister's US visit comes ahead of a summit of the Group of 20 (G20) developed and emerging economies in London on 2 April.
The EU and Canada have warned that a "buy American" clause in the US economic recovery package could promote protectionism.The EU and Canada have warned that a "buy American" clause in the US economic recovery package could promote protectionism.
It seeks to ensure that only US iron, steel and manufactured goods are used in construction work funded by the bill - but has included a pledge to respect international trade obligations.It seeks to ensure that only US iron, steel and manufactured goods are used in construction work funded by the bill - but has included a pledge to respect international trade obligations.