Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists & Democrats
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Gordon Brown in Strasbourg | Gordon Brown in Strasbourg |
The British Prime Minister Gordon Brown surprised everyone today with his speech to the European Parliament. The Brits are well known Eurosceptics and followers of free market ideology – Brown took that picture apart. He spoke about the leading role that the European Union should be playing on the world stage. In the current economic crisis, the Europe depends on its common experience, actions and values to find global solutions – European DNA in the words of the Prime Minister. In this way we can actually create development rather than allow ourselves to be steamrollered. We are not here to serve the market rather the other way round.
Brown pleaded for international intervention in the financial world in a bid to end the system where irresponsible risks have been taken; an end to tax havens; an end to rewards and bonuses; no more shadow banking systems. Brown’s message was crystal clear.
He used positive examples from the past to show that momentous change has come about in ways that were not always evident at the time – the Enlightenment or the Industrial Revolution for example. We also have an opportunity this time to effect major change, said Brown, by linking economic rebuilding to the ambition to drastically cut CO2 emissions.
Contacts
+ 33 3 88 17 54 35
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jmwiersma@planev.nv
janmarinus.wiersma@europarl.europa.eu
The British Prime Minister Gordon Brown surprised everyone today with his speech to the European Parliament. He spoke about the leading role that the European Union should be playing on the world stage.
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