"Long-term" Brown denies U-turn

Thursday, 24 April 2008 12:00 AM

Gordon Brown insisted he had not changed his position on the 10p income tax starting rate after yesterday's U-turn before prime minister's questions.

Mr Brown said it had always been his policy to abolish the 10p rate after conceding to growing Labour discontent on the issue.

Rebels led by former minister Frank Field were placated when the government met their demands. Pensioners aged between 60 and 64 and low-income families will now not be affected by the scrapping of the 10p rate.

The prime minister endured a difficult PMQs yesterday in which he was described as a "pathetic figure" by Conservative leader David Cameron.

But he insisted he is making the "right long-term decisions" for Britain.

"It was right to listen - to show that you know what's happening on the ground by making the right decision after you've listened," he said in an interview with the BBC.

Mr Brown said he would continue his strong stance on "sometimes quite controversial issues" like the 42-day limit pre-charge detention for terror suspects or public sector pay.

And he denied his authority had been weakened as a result of yesterday's concession.

"I don't think I've been pushed about at all. I've never shirked from the difficult decisions in politics," Mr Brown added.

"You've got to judge what is right at every point. And when you look at a decision that was made a year ago and you look at better things that you can do now, that is the right way to proceed."

Tags:
• economy
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• economy and finance
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• labour
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• party politics
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• taxation