'We can't repeat mistakes' - Brown - News in brief

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Mr Brown shared a platform with left-wing hopefuls Michael Meacher and John McDonnell in a wide ranging hour-and-a-half long debate.

But in response to demands to impose greater taxes on the rich and big companies on order to fund public services, Mr Brown said "we can't return to the policies that failed in the past".

Mr Brown said his would be a "prudent" government and said he had worked out that Mr McDonnell's policies in his manifesto would cost £48 billion.

But Mr McDonnell accused the Chancellor of "trivialising" the debate. He said: "We need to tackle inequality. That's about redistribution of wealth."

The debate, organised by the Fabian Society, was mostly good humoured - and even featured some jokes from Mr Brown.

Mr McDonnell started the event by saying he had published a manifesto, available for £2 - or "£1.50 for a signed copy".

He paid tribute to the Chancellor's formidable intellect by saying "he has a brain the size of Mars".

Mr Meacher and Mr McDonnell are due to meet to decide who is best placed to stand against Mr Brown for the leadership.

Mr Brown said it seemed the "left hand didn't know what the extreme left hand is doing".