British Prime Minister Gordon Brown delivered his New Year message on Sunday morning, pledging "a real and serious change" for the country in the coming year.
Brown, who has faced a six-month crisis since coming to power in June this year, did not mention in his speech of the difficulties, saying instead there would be "measurable changes in public services" over the next year, Sky news reported.
"We will not shirk but see through changes and reforms in the vital areas for our future -- secure energy, pensions, transport, welfare, education, health and national security," he said, adding that "with important legislation making long-term changes in energy, climate change, health, pensions, planning, housing, education and transport, 2008 will be a year of measurable changes in public services."
He also regarded the year 2008 as "a year for stepping up major long-term reform to meet challenges ranging from globalization and global warming to the great unfinished business of social reform in our country."
According to the prime minister, the government would also continue to work with our international partners to counter the ongoing threat of global terrorism, in addition to tackling the global credit problem, which was an "immediate priority" and a challenge for every economy.
He also promised British forces on the frontline would have "all the resources they need for our defense and their own safety".
Meanwhile, a survey for the Sunday Times showed that the ruling Labour Party had closed the gap with the major opposition Conservatives from 13 points to five within two weeks.
Labour won 35 percent of support as against 40 percent for the Tories. However, Brown's personal popularity remained at minus 24 percent, far lower than Conservative leader David Cameron's plus 22 percent.
Brown had enjoyed initial success since he came to power as Prime Minister after dealing with issues ranging from floods, a foot-and-mouth outbreak to an attempted terror attack. But his popularity faltered in recent months following Labour's disguised donor scandal and the loss data of 25 million people.
Source; Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article