Look Back At The PM Gordon Brown's Year 2007

A month-by-month review of some of Gordon Brown's key activities since taking office in June 2007

Look Back At The PM Gordon Brown's Year 2007

June

Gordon Brown arrived at Number 10 as Prime Minister on 27 June 2007 and promised to do his utmost for the nation. On his second day in office, Mr Brown announced some major changes to Government departments and also appointed his new cabinet. Soon after, the PM dealt with a number of security issues including the Haymarket bomb in London and the terrorist attack at Glasgow airport.

July

In a month of severe floods across parts of the UK, the Prime Minister visited a number of the hardest hit areas and pledged to review the nation's flood defences. The PM also outlined a new security strategy after the London and Glasgow attacks at the turn of the month.

Mr Brown introduced a new address to Parliament to outline his legislative plans for the year ahead, including a plan for a written constitution and Bill of Rights and Responsibilities.

On the international front, the PM travelled to Berlin for talks with Chancellor Merkel and also made an official visit to the United States. Recently elected French President Nicholas Sarkozy agreed with the Prime Minister on a plan for the war-torn Darfur region of Sudan.

August

In a month dominated by the foot and mouth outbreak, the Prime Minister visited affected areas and pledged to contain the outbreak as swiftly as possible. Restrictions on livestock movement were lifted later in the month.

The PM and Chancellor Merkel announced plans for a new international health initiative to push forward the Millennium Development Goals.

Mr Brown also welcomed one of his personal heroes, former South African President Nelson Mandela, to Number 10 before unveiling a statue of the elder statesman in Parliament Square.

September

The Prime Minister hosted launched a series of Citizens' Juries on education, law and order and health and announced the largest ever NHS consultation exercise - Our NHS, Our Future (new window). Mr Brown also outlined new plans for raising school standards and for tackling the growing problem of gun crime.

A new International Health Partnership aimed at conquering the world's major diseases was launched in Downing Street. The PM also announced a phased handover of control of Basra to Iraqi forces and condemned the crackdown on pro-democracy protestors in Burma.

October

Mr Brown paid a visit to Iraq as British troops continued their handover to Iraqi authorities in Basra. He later outlined an Iraq strategy in a statement to Parliament.

At home, the PM launched the next stage of the NHS review and also announced a £1 billion investment in business and innovation. October also saw the start of a consultation on a written Bill of Rights and the green light for London's Crossrail project.

The PM attended his first EU Council meeting in Brussels to conclude negotiations on the EU Treaty, and continued to call for action over human rights abuses in Burma.

At the end of the month, Mr Brown delivered a keynote speech on his vision for the future of education in the UK.

November

In the first Queen's Speech of his premiership, the Prime Minister revealed his plans for reform and spoke of his desire to meet the long-term chalenges faced by the nation. He later announced a range of new security measures and plans for the founding of a border police.

Later in the month, Mr Brown attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Uganda where he unveiled an aid initiative to help the development of African schools. He also called upon developed nations to take the lead on climate change ahead of the UN Bali summit.

On domestic issues, the PM told the Confederation of British industry of plans to strengthen the economy through education. He also highlighted measures on housing and in particular on the regeneration of the Thames Gateway.

December

The Prime Minister and Children's Secretary Ed Balls launched the Government's Children's Plan, a range of measures aimed at improving the life prospects of young people across the UK. The PM also announced new health strategies to help those affected by cancer and stroke.

Abroad, Mr Brown signed the EU Treaty in Lisbon ahead of the EU Council in Brussels - he delivered a statement to Parliament on Europe shortly after. The PM also travelled to Afghanistan and reaffirmed the UK's commitment to supporting democracy in the country.

Addressing economic concerns, the Prime Minister promised to protect public funds extended to troubled morgage lender Northern Rock and gave his assurance that the UK economy was in a strong position to deal with the financial storm caused by the ongoing credit crunch.

ENDS

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