This year the first meeting of the Cabinet after summer was held in the West Midlands. In this day and age of devolution it should come as no surprise that the government should find itself in the second largest city in the UK. The day started with the launch of the new manufacturing strategy with a visit to the Jaguar car plant in Castle Bromwich meeting young people enrolled in the company’s apprenticeship programme.

Before the cabinet meeting Gordon Brown made a presentation to a wide range of people from students to manufacturers. This was followed by members of the cabinet sitting down with different groups of people who were invited "tell the ministers what it’s really like".

The Prime Minister wanted to make his view clear about the challenges that face us all. He knew that, "for 10 years we've benefited from unprecedented growth, a rapidly expanding economy and rising living standards.  But the global credit crunch is forcing people across the country to change how they live their lives. Our world has changed.
While David Cameron's Conservatives may be willing to let people fend for themselves - I will not let this happen. I will not turn my back on those who need help. 
The quest to ensure that power, wealth, and opportunity are in the hands of the many, not the few, is fundamental to our purpose. This is why the Labour Party exists.
People want a government that is always on their side - but at their side only when they need it. They want a government that is empowering, not overpowering. This is not about rhetoric. It's about fairness and unfairness."
The Prime Minister then went on to focus on world-wide issues that are also affecting the UK. He was only too aware of how the irresponsibility of the money markets had consequences for all of us but he made it clear that, " it's about providing support to those who played by the rules but are struggling with rising prices.  It's about making sure that a fair chance is provided to all. I will not pretend that there is a quick fix. It requires leadership, squaring up to hard truths, being open with the British people about the choices we face, and making tough decisions on priorities for public spending. I know that there are people who feel that modern Britain has been unfair to them. Some of them are right. But there is nothing that is bad about Britain that cannot be overcome by what is good about Britain.  
In the coming weeks, I will set out how I - and our party, and our government, and our country - must rise to conquer those challenges and ensure fairness for all."
We invite readers to put their own views and we are ready to publish any letters and send them on to the Prime Minister.

Alan Alexander