Browns Vision for the UK

Prime Minister in waiting, Gordon Brown set out his vision for a "home-owning, asset-owning, wealth-owning democracy" yesterday.

The Chancellor declared that he would launch a major housebuilding programme, revealing plans for five "Eco-towns" with up to 100,000 low carbon or carbon neutral homes which would be powered by locally-generated energy from sustainable sources.

Speaking on the day that Labour set out its timetable for appointing a new leader, Mr Brown said he was also determined to help more people get a foot on the property ladder.

"There is a pent up demand," he said. "More households are being created than there are places for them......Young people wanted to buy or rent their own homes a lot earlier than previously....We have got to make it possible for that to happen."

Labour was on the side of people with aspirations. "We are a home-owning, asset-owning, wealth-owning democracy. This is in the interests of our country because everybody would have a stake in the country."He added.