There is a case in America relating to Swiss tax avoidance…once that is over it is possible to get an international agreement.” (Gordon Brown, February 4, 2008)

“I think what people haven’t appreciated is we’ve now got global financial systems but we’ve only got national regulators to cover them. And I’ve been pressing for some years, and I wish I could have persuaded other countries to do what I wanted, and that was to create a global system of financial regulation.” (G.Brown, September 21, 2008) 

“The climate change crisis is the product of many generations, but overcoming it must be the great project of this generation. And it will have to involve not just Europe and America but the entire community of nations.” (GB, November 19, 2007)

February 2009. 10 Downing St. The prime minister drafts yet another policy speech…….

“Flurries of snow have brought this great nation to its knees once again. Rail, road and water-based vessels have been forced to take shelter as the Baltic weather conditions hold Britain in their grip.

“What people have perhaps failed to appreciate is that the weather is a global phenomenon which began elsewhere. I am hoping to raise the issue of snow ploughs and grit at the forthcoming G20 gathering of world leaders, which incidentally is taking place here in London.

“Let us turn now to the pressing issue of biscuits, which are not as firm to the bite as they once were. This is an issue which requires co-operation across the seven continents of the world. Not something which can be resolved on a unilateral basis by the UK by itself.

“It has come to my attention that the No. 68 bus from Penge to East Sheen is not running to schedule. I have heard it said by honourable members on the opposition benches that this is the fault of the local Labour council. The truth of the matter is that late buses are a problem which plague the entire planet and I will shortly be convening a gathering with the presidents of Sweden, Thailand and the Democratic Republic of Congo to address the issue…..

February 4, 2009 6:41pm in Gordon Brown | Comment