This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8567880.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Defiant Brown will 'keep going' Defiant Brown will 'keep going'
(10 minutes later)
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has signalled that he will "keep going" as leader even if Labour fails to secure a majority at the general election.Prime Minister Gordon Brown has signalled that he will "keep going" as leader even if Labour fails to secure a majority at the general election.
Asked on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour if he would quit, Mr Brown said "I'll keep going" before being interrupted and asked the question again.Asked on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour if he would quit, Mr Brown said "I'll keep going" before being interrupted and asked the question again.
He replied: "I will keep going. I will keep going because I want a majority."He replied: "I will keep going. I will keep going because I want a majority."
In response the Conservatives said: "The prospect of him going on even longer is truly terrifying."In response the Conservatives said: "The prospect of him going on even longer is truly terrifying."
A Conservative spokesman added: "We are fighting this election to stop this country suffering five more years of Gordon Brown." "We are fighting this election to stop this country suffering five more years of Gordon Brown."
The election is widely expected to take place on 6 May and there has been growing speculation about a possible hung parliament - where no-one party has a majority - after recent opinion polls.The election is widely expected to take place on 6 May and there has been growing speculation about a possible hung parliament - where no-one party has a majority - after recent opinion polls.
'Comfortable with women''Comfortable with women'
The Times reported on Monday that ministers had said Mr Brown intended to resist pressure to step down swiftly as Labour leader in the event of an election defeat.The Times reported on Monday that ministers had said Mr Brown intended to resist pressure to step down swiftly as Labour leader in the event of an election defeat.
Asked, at the end of a wide-ranging half hour interview, whether he owed it to the Labour Party to stand aside if he did not secure a majority he said: "I think I owe it to people to continue and complete the work that we've started of taking this country out of the most difficult global financial recession.Asked, at the end of a wide-ranging half hour interview, whether he owed it to the Labour Party to stand aside if he did not secure a majority he said: "I think I owe it to people to continue and complete the work that we've started of taking this country out of the most difficult global financial recession.
"And to be honest, going around the country, I feel there's more to do to improve the health service, more to do to give people better opportunities, more to do for women on maternity pay and equal pay, more to do on the discriminations that still exist.""And to be honest, going around the country, I feel there's more to do to improve the health service, more to do to give people better opportunities, more to do for women on maternity pay and equal pay, more to do on the discriminations that still exist."
Mr Brown has faced a number of challenges to his leadership during his time as prime minister.Mr Brown has faced a number of challenges to his leadership during his time as prime minister.
Most recently, in January, former cabinet ministers Patricia Hewitt and Geoff Hoon wrote to all Labour MPs asking them to support a call for a secret ballot on his leadership. Most recently, in January, former cabinet ministers Patricia Hewitt and Geoff Hoon wrote to all Labour MPs asking them to support a call for a secret ballot on his leadership. But they failed to attract any significant support.
Earlier in the interview Mr Brown was asked about his attitude to working with women, following ex-Europe minister Caroline Flint's claim Mr Brown treated women in his Cabinet as "little more than female window-dressing".Earlier in the interview Mr Brown was asked about his attitude to working with women, following ex-Europe minister Caroline Flint's claim Mr Brown treated women in his Cabinet as "little more than female window-dressing".
'Fight back''Fight back'
Asked whether he was simply more comfortable around men than women, Mr Brown said: "No, I feel more comfortable with women, I've got to tell you. Right throughout my life I've worked very closely with the women who've worked with me.Asked whether he was simply more comfortable around men than women, Mr Brown said: "No, I feel more comfortable with women, I've got to tell you. Right throughout my life I've worked very closely with the women who've worked with me.
"Some of the most senior people working with me are not only women, but extremely, extremely professional and competent women.""Some of the most senior people working with me are not only women, but extremely, extremely professional and competent women."
Mr Brown admitted that allegations he had bullied Downing Street staff were "damaging", but insisted that while he was "tough" and would "fight back if I am in difficulty", his office was "a family".Mr Brown admitted that allegations he had bullied Downing Street staff were "damaging", but insisted that while he was "tough" and would "fight back if I am in difficulty", his office was "a family".
He was asked why he had chosen to take part in an interview with Piers Morgan last month in which he talked about matters in his personal life, including his marriage and the death of his daughter.He was asked why he had chosen to take part in an interview with Piers Morgan last month in which he talked about matters in his personal life, including his marriage and the death of his daughter.
"I felt that how people understood me was being mediated by a number of newspapers that were presenting me in a way that's just not me."I felt that how people understood me was being mediated by a number of newspapers that were presenting me in a way that's just not me.
We don't know yet what savings we can get from cutting or keeping unemployment down Gordon BrownWe don't know yet what savings we can get from cutting or keeping unemployment down Gordon Brown
"I felt that I should be prepared to do like any other person who's in politics and do interviews, open myself to any questions that people had.... and be prepared to show that nobody could be as one-dimensional as newspapers were presenting.""I felt that I should be prepared to do like any other person who's in politics and do interviews, open myself to any questions that people had.... and be prepared to show that nobody could be as one-dimensional as newspapers were presenting."
The PM said was also quizzed about his love of bananas, following reports that he ate up to nine a day.The PM said was also quizzed about his love of bananas, following reports that he ate up to nine a day.
Asked how many he ate each day, the PM replied: "I don't know, quite a few. I think they're pretty good for you... as an alternative to chocolate."Asked how many he ate each day, the PM replied: "I don't know, quite a few. I think they're pretty good for you... as an alternative to chocolate."
Frontline servicesFrontline services
As well as his eating habits, Mr Brown discussed the issue of spending cuts, but said there was some uncertainty about future plans.As well as his eating habits, Mr Brown discussed the issue of spending cuts, but said there was some uncertainty about future plans.
"We don't know yet what savings we can get from cutting or keeping unemployment down, but that runs into billions of pounds."We don't know yet what savings we can get from cutting or keeping unemployment down, but that runs into billions of pounds.
"If we have these savings, we can use them to fund departments. If we don't have these savings, it makes it more difficult.""If we have these savings, we can use them to fund departments. If we don't have these savings, it makes it more difficult."
He said hospitals, schools and policing would have their frontline budgets protected for at least the next two years.He said hospitals, schools and policing would have their frontline budgets protected for at least the next two years.
Beyond that, he added: "I think you can be reasonably sure that the protection for health and education and policing will be continued."Beyond that, he added: "I think you can be reasonably sure that the protection for health and education and policing will be continued."