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Brown aim 'to reduce union power' Brown aim 'to reduce union power'
(39 minutes later)
New Labour leader Gordon Brown wants to reduce the influence of trade unions within the party, the BBC has learned.New Labour leader Gordon Brown wants to reduce the influence of trade unions within the party, the BBC has learned.
His proposals would stop unions shaping policy at Labour's annual conference and give individual members more say.His proposals would stop unions shaping policy at Labour's annual conference and give individual members more say.
He has recommended to Labour's National Executive that union-backed motions would be replaced by debates on general issues, the BBC's James Hardy said. He has recommended to Labour's National Executive that union-backed motions be replaced by debates on general issues, says BBC correspondent James Hardy.
Mr Brown formally took over the party on Sunday, with Harriet Harman winning a tight race to become deputy leader. Mr Brown formally took over the party on Sunday, with Harriet Harman winning a tight race to be deputy leader.
In his acceptance speech on becoming leader, Mr Brown promised to give the party not just policies but "a soul".In his acceptance speech on becoming leader, Mr Brown promised to give the party not just policies but "a soul".
DEPUTY LEADER RESULT 1. Harman: 50.4%2. Johnson: 49.6% 3. Cruddas: Out4. Benn: Out5. Hain: Out6. Blears: Out The final result comes after eliminated contestants' next preferences reallocated Profile: Harriet Harman Analysis: What result means
He praised Tony Blair and pledged to "renew" the party to meet voters' changing aspirations.He praised Tony Blair and pledged to "renew" the party to meet voters' changing aspirations.
BBC political correspondent James Hardy said that, although Mr Brown spent "barely 30 seconds in a 30 minutes speech" on party democracy, behind the scenes he is planning "controversial changes". Political correspondent James Hardy said that, although Mr Brown spent "barely 30 seconds in a 30 minutes speech" on party democracy, behind the scenes he has been planning "controversial changes".
Mr Brown pledged to give party members the final say on Labour's policy programme through a "one member one vote" system.Mr Brown pledged to give party members the final say on Labour's policy programme through a "one member one vote" system.
In effect that means ending the conference's role as Labour's sovereign policy-making body and greatly increasing the part played by individual members.In effect that means ending the conference's role as Labour's sovereign policy-making body and greatly increasing the part played by individual members.
DEPUTY LEADER RESULT 1. Harman: 50.4%2. Johnson: 49.6% 3. Cruddas: Out4. Benn: Out5. Hain: Out6. Blears: Out The final result comes after eliminated contestants' second preferences reallocated class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/5350450.stm">Profile: Harriet Harman class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/6235142.stm">Analysis: What result means Iraq lessons 'to be learned'
Mr Brown was introduced to Labour activists at a special conference in Manchester on Sunday by Tony Blair, who described him as a "friend for over 20 years and from today the leader of our party, very soon to be the leader of our country".Mr Brown was introduced to Labour activists at a special conference in Manchester on Sunday by Tony Blair, who described him as a "friend for over 20 years and from today the leader of our party, very soon to be the leader of our country".
Mr Brown singled out education and the crisis in affordable housing as two of his top priorities, promising more social housing and help for people to get on the property ladder.Mr Brown singled out education and the crisis in affordable housing as two of his top priorities, promising more social housing and help for people to get on the property ladder.
I shall always try my utmost. I am ready to serve Gordon Brown Labour Party leader Brown speech: key points
But he said the NHS was his "immediate priority," adding he wanted to discuss "a new settlement for a modern NHS" with more power in the hands of patients and staff.But he said the NHS was his "immediate priority," adding he wanted to discuss "a new settlement for a modern NHS" with more power in the hands of patients and staff.
On foreign affairs, he acknowledged Iraq had been "a divisive issue for our party and our country" and he pledged to " learn lessons that need to be learned".On foreign affairs, he acknowledged Iraq had been "a divisive issue for our party and our country" and he pledged to " learn lessons that need to be learned".
I shall always try my utmost. I am ready to serve Gordon Brown Labour Party leader class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/6235258.stm">Brown speech: key points He said that Harriet Harman, who pipped Alan Johnson to win the six-way race to succeed John Prescott as deputy Labour leader, would be Labour Party chairwoman.
Conservative Party chairman Francis Maude said: "Harriet Harman is the first appointment of the Brown era and she believes in more money for the unions and a review of Trident. Cameron 'relentlessly positive'
"The country will be interested in how the unelected Gordon Brown responds to the views of the newly elected deputy leader of the Labour Party." And he sparked speculation that he might call a General Election next year, rather than waiting until 2009 or 2010, by announcing he had appointed Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander as the party's general election co-ordinator.
Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell called for a general election, saying: "Neither Labour members nor the British public have chosen the new prime minister." An early election would suit Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell who says Mr Brown should call one as: "Neither Labour members nor the British public have chosen the new prime minister."
Harriet Harman won the six-way race to succeed John Prescott as deputy Labour leader. She pipped Education Secretary Alan Johnson by 50.4% to 49.6% in the fifth round of voting after the other four contenders' second preference votes were reallocated. The Conservatives have also said Mr Brown needs to call an election to get a mandate to govern.
Mr Brown said from now on the party's deputy leader would also be its chairman and he appointment Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander as general election co-ordinator. Both parties have said they are prepared in case Mr Brown decided to call a snap election after taking over as prime minister.
The BBC understands it is unlikely Mr Brown will appoint a deputy prime minister to replace John Prescott, with his responsibilities being given to another member of the Cabinet. Tory leader David Cameron told the BBC he was providing "an exciting and inspiring alternative to a government that I believe has failed, and that's what I am going to focus on: a relentlessly-positive agenda".