Brown eyes international future
By politics.co.uk staff
Gordon Brown has admitted he would like to contribute more on the public stage after giving his first speech since leaving Downing Street – at an African Union meeting in Kampala.
The former prime minister, who has kept a low profile since coalition negotiations brought to an end New Labour’s 13 years in power, spoke in the Ugandan capital on African development issues.
“I think you all know that [US] president [Barack] Obama spent some time as a community organiser before becoming a politician,” he told delegates.
“I’m somebody who spent some time as a politician before becoming a community organiser.”
Mr Brown could follow his predecessor in No 10, Tony Blair, on to the international stage. Speculation has linked him to roles at the International Monetary Fund or World Bank, which he had consistently called on to reform.
“I feel that with my contacts, knowledge, and the work that I’ve done with countries and leaders in Africa and Asia and around the world, that there is something that can be done,” he told the BBC in an interview.
“I’m there to bring people together, but I’m not after any particular job for myself.”
Mr Brown admitted in the same interview he regretted not having detected the 2008 financial crisis, which dominated his premiership, sooner.
“If we had spotted the financial crisis earlier, it would have made a difference,” he added.
“I think you learn lessons all the time, and I’m always prepared to learn lessons, and always prepared to admit that if you made a mistake you’ve got to say that things can be done better.”
