PM outlines draft Queen's speech

Last Modified: 14 May 2008
By: Channel 4 News

Brown prepares to unveil his vision in a draft Queen's speech - as yet more bad news about the economy surfaces.

Gordon Brown is about to set out his legislative plans for the next year, when he releases a preview of the Queen's Speech to Parliament.

Opposition parties claim the prime minister is fighting for his political life after yesterday's surprise mini-budget.

After disasterous local election results, a flurry of unflattering memoirs and the damaging 10p tax row, it's no wonder Gordon Brown is keen to look to the future.

With next week's bi-election in Crewe looming, the prime minister will not have to wait long to find out whether or his fightback is having the desired effect.

Today his fightback is expected to continue with a focus on policies that affect people's everyday lives: health, education and schools, plans for flexible working rights for mothers and more help for first time buyers.

After the tax row the prime minister wants to convince voters he is on their side.

Unfortunately for Gordon Brown, as he tells us how he intends to do that there's more gloomy news on the economy.

In addition to the Bank of England's governor Mervyn King's comments, news that Unemployment has increased: the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance rising at the highest rate for two years.

Not good news. But ministers claim yestedays tax cut will help.

It'll be a while before we see if that is true. With next week's bi-election in Crewe looming, the prime minister will not have to wait long to find out whether or his fightback is having the desired effect.