How to scrounge off the State, by Gordon Brown

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During Mr Brown's student days (above), he produced a 200-page booklet, stating 'free money is available from social security'

These are views in a guide on how to scrounge off the State, "con" private firms and "use and abuse the system", published by the man set to become Prime Minister.

It is not a leaked copy of Gordon Brown's manifesto in his campaign to succeed Tony Blair, but a 200-page booklet produced as a socialist student leader in the Seventies, long before "stealth taxes" were invented.

However, cynics will say the seeds of the welfare State boom under Labour can be seen in the document edited by 22-year-old firebrand Brown when Rector of Edinburgh University.

Entitled Alternative Edinburgh, it provides a revealing insight into his attitudes to the State and the law in its suggestions of ways to live for free.

"If you're British and can give an address, free money is available from social security, basic £5.80 per week," it says.

"Social and medical benefits are your right, not charity hand-outs, so never be reticent about claiming them. For whatever the reason the so-called welfare State was brought into being, it can and must be used to its full extent."

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'Alternative Edinburgh' provides a revealing insight into Brown's attitudes to the State and the law in its suggestions of ways to live for free

Nor is it just the State that can be used to get something for nothing.

"For the experienced parasite the Edinburgh Festival is a gift," the booklet declares, with advice on gatecrashing receptions - "enter via the side door" - and getting a free bath and food at smart hotels.

It suggests: "Sit in the lobby until reception is busy, then walk quickly upstairs or into the lift. Even the plushest hotels have at least one public bathroom to a floor."

And for free food, it recommends: "Con your way to asking for a glass of water or sit beside drinkers and they will feed you for nothing."

Rector Brown's book also advocates sneaking into cut-price works canteens and even "masquerading as a student" in college canteens. "Just say you've forgotten your student card."

An "infallible" method of cheating your way into bring-a-bottle parties is to "use a carrier bag of empty cans with two half-bricks at the bottom".

The man who tried to hide the abolition of the 10p tax rate in his recent Budget was an early student of media manipulation.

"Counter-information is the key to success," students are advised. Direct action like squatting works because it attracts the Press."

The guide helpfully lists local Marxist and anarchist groups.

Job ideas hardly conform to Mr Brown's son-of-the-manse background.

"Factories: not recommended. Early starts and monotonous work," says the booklet.

Girls are advised to work as "go-go girls", the Seventies equivalent of pole dancers.

Or a student could try the capitalist con of ordering the latest model of an in-demand car "reserving the right to cancel" and selling it on for £100 profit while awaiting delivery.

And if you're caught by police while working any scam, don't worry.

"You may think you are guilty but legal advice can show otherwise," says the future Chancellor's guide.

Young Brown had his own "five-year plan": a council takeover of shops, pubs and cafes, a crackdown on car owners and a 50 per cent rise in local taxes to help the working class.

Some may say little has changed.

However, a source close to the Chancellor said: "I'm not sure Mr Brown would support these ideas now.

"But it is interesting that David Cameron at the same age was drinking champagne in the Bullingdon Club, whose members gloried in trashing restaurants."

 

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