PM responds to Echo readers' questions on historic visit to Devon for a Cabinet meeting
After flying in from Belfast following a hard-fought deal to save the Irish power-sharing government from collapse, the PM landed in the city for a cabinet meeting but first sat down to be quizzed by the Echo's team of interviewers.
This included Ali Morrish, the driving force behind Anna's Campaign, and her son Jamie, who was told by Mr Brown that he fully endorsed Ali's efforts.
Anna's Campaign aims to highlight the lessons that need to be learned after Ali lost her daughter Anna, 21, to drink-driving
Becca Stokes from our Teen Team page was told by the PM that he would like to lower the voting age to 16 to give young people a voice.
And Rosemary Whitehurst, representing the We Care campaign, which is aiming to secure a better deal for carers and those they care for, was told that, although Mr Brown could not provide her with a timetable of when a review of carer's allowances would be carried out, he did say it was one of his government's highest priorities.
Mr Brown's arrival at Exeter Racecourse at 1pm was marked by a rush of activity — a heavily armed police patrol sprung into action as his convoy arrived. Dodging questions about MPs expenses, he gave a nod and declared himself "pleased to be here" before making his way up to the conference room accompanied by the Lord Mayor of Exeter Cllr John Winterbottom and Exeter City Council leader Cllr Adrian Fullam.
Before his arrival a steady stream of cabinet members had gone through the gates but only Jack Straw spoke to the press gallery.
He described himself as in "very good spirits" after a Labour by-election victory in the north of England.
After apologising for the cancellation of the previous attempted visit due to the snow, an upbeat Mr Brown told the audience: "This is the first time the cabinet have ever met in the region and until a few months it had never met outside London apart from one occasion in Inverness in the 1920s.
"It is a great privilege for all of us as cabinet members and it is the first time we have ever met at a racecourse. I first visited Exeter nearly 40 years ago and then came back two years ago to see the huge advances that have been made here."
He went on to praise the work and technological advances at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital and University of Exeter.
He struck an optimistic tone about the country's chances of emerging from the recession to become a "world leader" in technology through the creation of a wave of skilled, middle class jobs.
He then sat down at the Echo's table and was asked by Mrs Morrish, of Mount Pleasant, whether he would clarify his position over the safe limit for drinking before driving in view of her campaign.
A visibly emotional Mr Brown told her: "I am so sorry about what happened and I do admire the way you have tried to make something good come out of it."
He said that although drink driving laws have been hugely successful it was still a problem with some teenagers.
He added: "I would be happy to look at the campaign and I appreciate what you are doing."
Afterwards Ali described him as "very kind, sympathetic and compassionate" and said she was "encouraged" by his response.
Next up was Becca Stokes, 17, a student at Exeter College and a member of Teen Team which was set up to highlight issues that affect young people. She asked the PM about young people having the opportunity to have a say on the issues and decisions that will affect them in the future. Mr Brown told her: "We have to do more about the facilities for young people. Some councils have a youth council, and there is a youth parliament that meets in Westminster and it is vital to get more young people involved.
"I am in favour of giving 16 year old's the vote. It has not got majority support but there is a case for it. There would need to be an improvement in citizenship education for this to happen but it would create a better society.
Afterwards Becca said: "I was pleased to hear there could be more citizenship education in schools and that he supports lowering the voting age. Decisions that are made now affect us but we don't have a chance to say we don't want that. We are trying to get a voice."
After Becca, it was the turn of Ms Whitehurst who asked for a timetable of when carer's allowances were going to be reviewed.
Mr Brown responded by saying: "I cannot give you a reply but can assure you it is one of our biggest priorities and commitments."
He added that a lot had already been done to improve the situation but he confessed there was a long way to go.
Afterwards Ms Whitehurst said: "I think he was sincere in his appreciation of carers and the work we do. But of course I am disappointed he said he could not give us a timetable. Many carers are living in poverty and get the lowest of all benefits. This is a pressing need and we have been campaigning a long time for it.
"I did not expect him to give a definite answer. But I wanted to remind him we are still here and we won't give up."
After a short question and answer session from the floor the Cabinet left for its hour-long meeting that saw the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Shaun Woodward update members on recent developments, following the announcement of an agreement on the devolution of policing and justice. Members were also given an update on health policy by the Secretary of State for Health Andy Burnham and there was a presentation by Jim Knight, Regional Minister for the South West, on the importance of the area, including its diverse regional economy and future opportunities for the people of the South West.
Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw hailed the event a resounding success.
He said: "It has been a huge thrill for me to have the Cabinet here and see them on my home turf.
"It was a very good natured conference and discussion on issues that matter to the public and it was great to see so many ministers here.
"It is so important that Gordon did the question and answer sessions with your readers and he very much took on board the campaigns and local issues."
