Gordon Brown
James Gordon Brown is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. He took office on 27 June 2007, three days after becoming leader of the Labour Party. Prior to this he served as the Chancellor of the Exchequer under Tony Blair from 1997 to 2007.
Contents
Brown's Nuclear Stance
Private Eye reported in February 2006 that Gordon Brown has family connections to the nuclear industry. His younger brother Andrew Brown works for EDF Energy, the UK subsidiary of EDF, which operates nuclear power stations in France. Andrew Brown was appointed as EDF Energy's Head of Press on 13 September 2004. Previously, he worked for the lobbying company Weber Shandwick.[1][2]
One of Brown's key advisors is Ed Balls, whose father-in-law Tony Cooper is a long-standing nuclear lobbyist. [3] [4]
For further information on Brown's nuclear position, see the relevant Sourcewatch page on Gordon Brown
Wielding great influence on British Jewry
In 2008, The Jewish Chronicle declared 'the top spots' on their second annual list of those who 'wield the greatest influence on British Jewry'. Brown is listed at number 29[5]. The criteria for being listed is described as 'those with a vision for Jewish life in this country and who did their utmost to bring it about using either money; persuasion; religion; culture; political or social leadership; or simply inspiring through word and deed'. In order for someone to be listed in the top 20, it was generally necessary to demonstrate influence in more than one of the spheres[6].
The article describes how...
- 'The Prime Minister may not have Tony Blair’s natural affinity with the Jewish community, but he has built on the good relations established by his predecessor. The government has extended its financial backing of sixth-formers’ visits to Auschwitz and Mr Brown has accepted an invitation to become a JNF patron. To rapturous applause, he told a Board of Deputies dinner last year: “Israel will always have our support. We will be a friend in good times and bad and we will never compromise our friendship for political expediency.” He is an admirer of the Chief Rabbi, whom he says he consults regularly'[7].
Others included in the list were Lord Levy (number 9), Ron Prosor (number 10), Daniel Finkelstein (number 11), John Mann (number 17), Jonathan Freedland (number 18), Julia Neuberger (number 19), Lord Janner (number 20), Trevor Chinn (number 14) & Poju Zabludowicz (number 30).
Affiliation
External Resources
- Neocon Europe Gordon Brown
References
- ↑ No named author, Private Eye issue 1151, p8, February 2006
- ↑ EDF Energy press release 'Andrew Brown to head media team at EDF Energy', September 13, 2004.
- ↑ Biography on Yvette Cooper's website, undated, accessed February 2006.
- ↑ Tony Cooper's biography on Nuclear Decommissioning Authority website, undated, accessed February 2006.
- ↑ The Jewish Chronicle JC Power 100: Sacks stays on top, as new names emerge. 9th May 2008. Accessed 16th August 2008
- ↑ The Jewish Chronicle How we made our selection 9th May 2008. Accessed 16th August 2008
- ↑ The Jewish Chronicle JC Power 100: Sacks stays on top, as new names emerge. 9th May 2008. Accessed 16th August 2008
