Labour 'must reconnect with voters'

In an article for the House Magazine, published on the eve of the Labour conference, the Prime Minister identified "three great failings" in British politics which are holding the country back.

He said political parties have not "reached out enough" and pledged to reconnect with voters.

Mr Brown, who promised to create a Government of "all the talents" when he took over as PM, wrote: "Our politics should be one that engages with people, and draws on the widest range of talents and expertise, not the narrow circles of power.

"This is the politics of the mainstream centre ground in Britain. It is a politics that takes a hard look at the tough questions, not the easy path of short-term slogans, and one that draws upon the common sense of the British people."

Mr Brown said Britain's progress was being stymied by the failure of political parties to adequately connect with voters. "So we have to rise to the challenge of forging a better party politics," he argued.

"Secondly, the political system too often ignores or neglects the new ideas that flow from outside Westminster and often in the past has failed to listen and learn, so we have to rise to the challenge of opening up our political system to new ideas.

"And thirdly, our participatory democracy is too weak at a local level, so we have to rise to the new challenge of engagement."

Calling for "a new progressive consensus", the PM continued: "Just as in the past we renewed our party in preparation for government, now the new circumstances we face mean we must reform our party again.

"This time of change must also be a time for renewal in our party so that we can build connections with every section of our community. It is time to fundamentally reform the way we the Labour Party listen to the British people, and involve them and engage with their needs and aspirations."