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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| UK's existence 'at risk' - Brown | UK's existence 'at risk' - Brown |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The identity of the United Kingdom is menaced by an "opportunist group of nationalists", Gordon Brown has warned. | The identity of the United Kingdom is menaced by an "opportunist group of nationalists", Gordon Brown has warned. |
| The chancellor told the Fabian Society some groups were "playing fast and loose" with the union of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. | The chancellor told the Fabian Society some groups were "playing fast and loose" with the union of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. |
| He called the UK a country "built on shared values" which served as a "model for the rest of the world". | He called the UK a country "built on shared values" which served as a "model for the rest of the world". |
| SNP leader Alex Salmond said Mr Brown was only thinking of his "self-interest as a prime minister designate". | |
| Mr Brown, a Scot who is MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, is expected to take over as prime minister this year. | Mr Brown, a Scot who is MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, is expected to take over as prime minister this year. |
| Talking to former Labour MP Oona King at the start of the Labour think-tank's conference, Mr Brown stressed the importance of the country's shared values. | Talking to former Labour MP Oona King at the start of the Labour think-tank's conference, Mr Brown stressed the importance of the country's shared values. |
| He cannot tolerate the idea of Scotland slipping out of Labour's control just at the point he wants to move into No 10. Alex SalmondScottish National Party | He cannot tolerate the idea of Scotland slipping out of Labour's control just at the point he wants to move into No 10. Alex SalmondScottish National Party |
| "It is very important to recognise that Britishness and Britain itself is not based on ethnicity and race," he said. | "It is very important to recognise that Britishness and Britain itself is not based on ethnicity and race," he said. |
| "It is founded on shared values that we hold in common: a commitment to liberty for all, a commitment to social responsibility shown by all, and a commitment to fairness to all." | "It is founded on shared values that we hold in common: a commitment to liberty for all, a commitment to social responsibility shown by all, and a commitment to fairness to all." |
| He said there was now a dividing line in Britain which pitted "those of us who are prepared to support the shared values of the union" and "those who are prepared to play fast and loose with the union and put the whole future of the union at risk". | He said there was now a dividing line in Britain which pitted "those of us who are prepared to support the shared values of the union" and "those who are prepared to play fast and loose with the union and put the whole future of the union at risk". |
| English issues | English issues |
| This year is the 300th anniversary of the Act of Union that merged the English and Scottish parliaments. | This year is the 300th anniversary of the Act of Union that merged the English and Scottish parliaments. |
| The pro-independence Scottish National Party is tipped to do well in the Scottish Parliament elections in May, with the independence debate likely to crop up often in the campaign. | The pro-independence Scottish National Party is tipped to do well in the Scottish Parliament elections in May, with the independence debate likely to crop up often in the campaign. |
| SNP leader Mr Salmond said: "Mr Brown is not protecting the national interest, only his self interest as a Prime Minister designate. He cannot tolerate the idea of Scotland slipping out of Labour's control just at the point he wants to move into No 10. | SNP leader Mr Salmond said: "Mr Brown is not protecting the national interest, only his self interest as a Prime Minister designate. He cannot tolerate the idea of Scotland slipping out of Labour's control just at the point he wants to move into No 10. |
| "Revealingly, Mr Brown is unable to accept that, under his Chancellorship, the Scottish economy has lagged behind both the UK and spectacularly, the small independent countries in Europe. | "Revealingly, Mr Brown is unable to accept that, under his Chancellorship, the Scottish economy has lagged behind both the UK and spectacularly, the small independent countries in Europe. |
| "He is equally blind to legitimate English grievance of bossy Scottish Labour MPs interfering in English only matters, such as health and education. | "He is equally blind to legitimate English grievance of bossy Scottish Labour MPs interfering in English only matters, such as health and education. |
| "A politician who is neither sensitive enough to understand legitimate aspirations in both Scotland and England seems unprepared to become Prime Minister of either country." | "A politician who is neither sensitive enough to understand legitimate aspirations in both Scotland and England seems unprepared to become Prime Minister of either country." |
| The Conservatives have suggested for some time now that it might be better if exclusively English laws were voted on by English MPs alone. | The Conservatives have suggested for some time now that it might be better if exclusively English laws were voted on by English MPs alone. |
| But Mr Brown said the idea of "English votes for English laws" would pull the union apart. | But Mr Brown said the idea of "English votes for English laws" would pull the union apart. |
| 'Faustian bargain' | 'Faustian bargain' |
| During a wide-ranging address to the Fabians, Mr Brown pledged support for the idea of raising the school-leaving age to 18. | During a wide-ranging address to the Fabians, Mr Brown pledged support for the idea of raising the school-leaving age to 18. |
| And he told delegates that terrorism and security issues could not be solved through military means alone. | And he told delegates that terrorism and security issues could not be solved through military means alone. |
| Earlier, Mr Brown wrote an article in the Daily Telegraph where he criticised the Conservatives for siding with the nationalists over constitutional issues. | Earlier, Mr Brown wrote an article in the Daily Telegraph where he criticised the Conservatives for siding with the nationalists over constitutional issues. |
| In it he warned: "It is now time for supporters of the Union to speak up, to resist any drift towards a Balkanisation of Britain and to acknowledge Great Britain for the success it has been and is." | In it he warned: "It is now time for supporters of the Union to speak up, to resist any drift towards a Balkanisation of Britain and to acknowledge Great Britain for the success it has been and is." |
| He attacked today's Conservatives for embracing "anti-Unionist positions" in collusion with Nationalists, contrasting them with Lady Thatcher's determined support for the Union. | He attacked today's Conservatives for embracing "anti-Unionist positions" in collusion with Nationalists, contrasting them with Lady Thatcher's determined support for the Union. |
| Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said the chancellor was right to highlight the "Faustian bargain" between the nationalists and the Tories. | Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said the chancellor was right to highlight the "Faustian bargain" between the nationalists and the Tories. |
| "They may have different motives but their actions will jointly lead to the same conclusion - the break-up of the union," he said. | "They may have different motives but their actions will jointly lead to the same conclusion - the break-up of the union," he said. |
| Sir Menzies said he accepted the need for the Union to be modernised to take account of devolution to Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. | Sir Menzies said he accepted the need for the Union to be modernised to take account of devolution to Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. |
| But he added: "There is much more to be gained in common purpose than by separatism." | But he added: "There is much more to be gained in common purpose than by separatism." |