PM to rally Cabinet in Birmingham

Gordon Brown has spoken of Britain's economic resilience
Gordon Brown is taking the Cabinet to Birmingham for its first meeting since the summer break.

He will move to rally ministers with a document insisting Britain can get through the economic downturn.

He will also launch a new manufacturing strategy, aimed at creating up to a million jobs in green technologies.

The only previous Cabinet meeting not held in London or at Chequers was called by David Lloyd George in Inverness Town Hall in 1921.

It was called to discuss Ireland's renunciation of the British monarchy at a time when the prime minister was holidaying in the Highlands.

'Cautious optimism'

Mr Brown's document is seen as a foretaste of his all-important speech to the Labour Party conference in Manchester later this month.

It acknowledges that the UK faces new challenges due to globalisation, but says: "Britain's future is bright.

"The world economy will double in size and wealth over the next 25 years, bringing new prosperity and opportunities," Mr Brown wrote.

"We can be certain that some countries will benefit disproportionately, and so will some people: the wealthy and powerful can always seize the opportunities of change.

"Our task, as a party, as a government, now is to ensure that our country and all of our people make the most of these opportunities and are protected against the risks that accompany radical change." There is nothing that is bad about Britain that cannot be overcome by what is good about Britain

Gordon Brown

Mr Brown said that with a spirit of "cautious and practical optimism", Britain could emerge a "stronger, more secure and fairer country".

"Instead of repeating the solutions of yesterday we must embrace the new policies of tomorrow and restate the case for our party and our values.

"There are no easy or quick answers. It requires leadership, squaring up to hard truths, being open with the British people about the choices we face, and making tough decisions on priorities for public spending."

Mr Brown said the "new world" pursued by Labour must be based upon "the yearning for fairness".

"I know there are people who feel that modern Britain has been unfair to them. Some of them are right," he wrote.

"But there is nothing that is bad about Britain that cannot be overcome by what is good about Britain, as long as we keep faith with our belief in fairness."

The BBC's political correspondent Carol Walker said talk of long-term strategies would not satisfy those who want to see immediate help for those suffering economic hardship.

Mr Brown and other Cabinet members will also be visiting a number of venues around Birmingham.