Prime Minister Gordon Brown Address to Congress

www.c-spanarchives.org/library...
British Prime Minister Brown addressed a joint meeting of Congress.

[@JanP2006]

BTW - Brown isn't reading off of an auto-cue but from sheets of paper and, if you're not from the UK, you'll probably not know that he's blind in one eye....

[@danielhuxham1366]

He has notes but he is not reading from the sheets....

[@colinmontgomery1956]

I can see it.

[@64ankka]

What is it with one-eyed Labour leaders, first Herbert Morrison and then Gordon Brown

[@tommohan273]

@@64ankka Morrison wasn’t a labour leader but I see. What you mean

[@ciaranmarsh255]

@@tommohan273 Morrison was an interim leader for a week.

[@WORLD8NSH5KNIGHT1]

Gordon Brown is a decent man and fine speaker. Not a great PM, but a man who has my respect. He is also a patriot who passionately defended our union when it was threatened. I met him briefly when he was Chancellor. Great to see the respect our American cousins are showing here. Thankyou! Also great these sort of videos are preserved.

[@SuperFerdie1965]

He is a two faced little weasel (ask the Rochdale woman) and was never up to the job of PM. Rather like May in that regard.

[@BattlestarZenobia]

Francis Artanis hey, he saved the world banking system and stopped a second Great Depression!

[@TrueMackem1]

@@josephcullen9174 : She was not a bigot or a racist !!. She was objecting to the mass immigration inflicted on us by Blair and Brown - mass imigration of white people from the EU - nothing racist about it at all. Francis you are quite right, He is a two faced little weasel. If he had any honour or guts he would have said she was a bigot to her face instead of in the car afterwards.

[@Ryan-fv5ve]

He was an excellent chancellor who kept the UK out of the Euro and when he was the prime minister (although he was a bit out of his depth) he played a key role in the international effort to recover from the 2008 recession

[@stephenritchie268]

im astonished at the respect the American people have shown to my former prime minister. times like these I respect our friendship.

[@karansarat]

Its the Anglo saxon element mate

[@colinmontgomery1956]

You'll always have a friend in the United States.

[@Thereisanalienpresenceonearth]

@@legomda2739 😬

[@jinsakai9729]

@@legomda2739 wtf are you talking about? I don’t think anyone’s gonna understand what you’re saying talking like that

[@Awakeningspirit20]

He seems great, I can't believe he was the last Labour PM when you've now had three Conservative fuck-ups in a row, sounds like four now. Why can't Labour get back into power, the choice should be obvious?

[@ThomasWilliams89]

"the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" ah its nice to hear the full name of the UK for once lol

[@colinmontgomery1956]

Very seldom do you hear it.

[@ThomasWilliams89]

@@colinmontgomery1956 thanks for replying to this. First time I've seen this video in 10 years lol.

[@colinmontgomery1956]

@@ThomasWilliams89 , no problem, Mr. Williams. All the best from the United States.

[@colinmontgomery1956]

@@ThomasWilliams89, interestingly, my full name is Colin William Thomas Montgomery.

[@VarunBhanot1]

am i the only one who finds it hilarious when everyone keeps standing up!

[@somewhatuninterested8989]

Dude its hilarious.

[@09Chance]

"And after that terrible September morning when your homeland was attacked, the Coldstream Guards at Buckingham Palace played the Star Spangled Banner. Our own British tribute as we wept for our friends in the land of the free and the home of the brave." I as an American was deeply touched by that unbelievably kind gesture. Even today, reading those words brings tears to my eyes. The British people will always have a special place in my heart.

[@leslielenahan2619]

I Welsh and with American

[@Awakeningspirit20]

@@stevenzhang6585 I hope Xi gives you a raise for that comment

[@Retrovin_Youtube]

Also an American here, my Grandmother immigrated here from England back in the 70s so I have a lot of a connection and respect for that country as well

[@GeoffreyBronson]

in our hearts, you are also.

[@jspankin]

And the award for the most standing ovations ever received: The Rt. Hon Gordon Brown lol

[@MichaelJ44]

That goes to Big Nose Ben

[@rolandserna7805]

You don't have to like Gordon Brown's politics or anything, but this guy is one hell of a public speaker

[@whatsgoingonwhy9096]

for people that aren't aware the numerous standing ovation thing during speeches given to joint meetings of congress is a pretty common thing

[@James2010uk360]

Jesus Christ, do their hands ever get tired?

[@WORLD8NSH5KNIGHT1]

Brown was always a good orator.

[@ANtr431]

All right. Even better than Tony Blair?

[@BoraCM]

WHY DO THEY CLAP SO MUCH? They go on for so long, and it's so loud. They should let him speak, not clap at every opportunity they can get.

[@googlyzeyzs6133]

BoraCM 39 I love the way they clap so much lol

[@javimiami92]

It’s tradition dating back to the 18th century.

[@chrisl.6211]

It’s an old tradition, clap to show agreement during the speech, rather than to show approval at the end

[@stormcuber2461]

You should watch north koreas clapping, they never stop.

[@stperkin]

Thanks CSPAN for posting this!

[@shreeyashpatankar4989]

What a great speech, especially the last part.

[@MarcusAurelius7777]

Thanks for posting this speech!

[@arthurnewman7461]

Brown was a great speaker. Has anyone seen his speech on 2014 Scottish Independence Election.

[@Max-fs9py]

Yes it saved the union !

[@michaelsean5690]

I love my country Great Britain’s historical alliance with the United States. For when the Eagle screams the Lion Roars. 🇬🇧♾🇺🇸

[@Andrewmarkbaker]

For all those who do not know Gordon Brown - these words are truely meant by a person who has genuine grasp and practice of values. If there is too much detail for some of you that is the price to pay for a well thought through intelectual and moral base. Well done Gordon for telling things as they are and by raising crucial issues in a passioned and inclusive way.

[@david7000lee]

Mikescell, thank you. The British are proud to be your special friends.

[@alfredmohammed9197]

Such a powerful speech. The world has really gotten better. To hear British PM acknowledge the first African-American President at the US Capital is amazing! We’re not perfect but we can get there together. 💪🏾

[@joshuahemmingway1014]

A great speech on possible policies that frankly have yet to be realized.

[@babajideoladayo4541]

A passionate, persuasive, and purposeful speech by one of the greatest British Prime Ministers. Gordon Brown's eloquence and energy, combined with the originality of his message, will never be forgotten or even rivalled in a long time to come

[@IbnSaifi]

He was viewed differently in Britain

[@professorpigeon6517]

@@IbnSaifi yes, because he made the hard choices instead of pretending everything will be okay like we’ve got now

[@limolnar]

They're showing gratitude to the speaker for taking his time out for a speech, as well as showing respect by staying quiet during the speech.

[@mervg]

Fantastic speech!!!

[@nasatomi]

Agreed, I'm glad to have such a great ally such as the UK. Ive always admired England since the majority of my family came over from there to the US.

[@bijayyad]

One of the best speech i have watched ...

[@toytoy1091]

Good speech ??? At about 8.0 Brown spouts off just what his American hosts want to hear - about all the good 'ol American boys who gave their lives for freedom in Europe, fighting for people whose name they didn't even know. Mmmm. Wait up. Was't it JAPAN who declared war on the US, and wasn't it HITLER who declared war on the US - and not the other way round ??? Yes it was. America didn't actually step forth like a knight in shining armour to rescue the world, America was forced into the fight. And could we all just remember that the good 'ol USA only entered the European War in large numbers on D-Day 1944 - year FIVE of a SIX yr war. MMMMmmmm. Pause for thought. The USA did only 5% of the fighting and dying in Europe. 85% of ALL WW11 battle casualties were on the Eastern Front. I'm all for making yourself liked by your hosts, but when unending flattery and smarm turn into (in effect) a gross distortion of history and the truth , it's time to step back and think.

[@googlyzeyzs6133]

Sir Edward Kennedy. I love it! God bless you uncle Ted!

[@manuteboler]

Give me a break, we are the two greatest countries in the world, we have the strongest friendship of any other two countries in the world, why shouldn't we show each other respect.

[@tdrobar]

His voice is pretty cool. :)

[@koolsactor]

Hi!!! We had a very smartest Prime Minister, Gordon Brown is very inteligent Person, he is working well, i don't think is any corruption here in UK.....i am gone vote for him again..... well done Gordon Brown You are the best

[@shlokamsrivastava6782]

Gordon Brown has much more class than American Presidents especially when the recent ones.

[@Stuart0000X]

@jeremy45042 Thank you :) Nice to hear positive and polite words about ones country from someone from another country. America is a valued ally :)

[@davishigh09]

excellent speech!

[@peaco1000]

The best speech he's ever given. It was perfect.

[@arthurnewman7461]

Maybe then, scottish independence election 2014

[@jspankin]

GB should be in the Guinness book of records for the most standing ovations ever received.lol

[@googlyzeyzs6133]

America have the best hands in the business!

[@anenglishmanplusamerican7107]

This country is a home away from my home. You cannot remove the English from me, yet now, you cannot eliminate the American within me either . I hold a deep affection for both, encapsulating the essence of a transatlantic connection. My love for you, our American cousin, is boundless.

[@damiendarksun]

Happy days are here again

[@nema1218]

That was good speech.

[@limolnar]

Americans applaud speakers for taking the time to speak to them, as well as showing respect by staying quiet while they speak (other than the odd applause for good statements).

[@suffolk9]

@poposjok yes but you are already there....so we can wait

[@scolopede]

Where are my two posts? Did utube delete? Anybody remember those two posts? please repy!

[@MetalHeart8787]

Gorden Brown is a good guy & We also value our Alliance & Friendship with Great Britian.

[@limolnar]

When PM Brown addresses Parliament, he's addressing blooded nobles who are stodgy. Brown is speaking to his audience; the three branches of government all come from the common people. Those people are most impacted by a combination of words and gestures.

[@Agonar81]

He's a good speaker.

[@lauraontheinternet]

I know everyone is playing the 'my stick is bigger' game but putting that aside,, I must remark that he has wicked cool voice. :)

[@limolnar]

Edward Kennedy, through his father, is a British citizen.

[@jx14aby]

i was in awe of his sincerety. You know the saying, once you can fake that, you've got it mde.

[@hugoegbert79]

I like him.

[@ewetubeviewer]

1/2 of congress can't point to the UK on the map. true story.

[@madzangels]

1/2 of the American population can't point to the USA on the map, let alone the UK

[@Stoozer]

Actually to recieve an honorary knighthood there is no need to kneel before the Sovereign - there's no dubbing with the sword you see. This is because the award is "honorary" (the clue is in the title). No doubt the Ambassador give it him. Recieving an honaray degree from a university doesn't mean you can claim to be a PHd in astrophysics! It merely means the university wishes to ackowledge you in some way. The same applies to honorary knighthoods. Its not such a hard concept to grasp.

[@ubernaffa]

I will literally cry myself to sleep for five years if this man loses the next election. How on earth anyone could seriously think that David Cameron would make a better prime minister than Brown is absolutely beyond me. From an unbiased stance, can ANYBODY imagine David Cameron standing where Brown is, doing what he's doing? Cameron is a naive man and we would be so so much weaker internationally if he were our leader... Please don't vote for him. :(

[@prussiansunsets]

When push comes to shove, I'm with the United States and Britain!

[@weeddegree]

your opinion and i respect that

[@Stoozer]

The key phrase there is "without the consent of Congress". Judging by the reaction, Congress has given its consent.

[@ubernaffa]

Absolutely correct. Under first past the post, we elect a political party to make up the government. The political party that wins the most amount of seats in the Commons (ie wins the most constituencies) makes up the government. It's then up to that elected party to select who is to be their leader, and hence forth, the Prime Minister.

[@Stoozer]

brett18. The Monarch is Head of State. The PM is Head of Government. Although no PM has been directly elected anyone who denies that a general election is a vote on the leadership of the parties is being naive. Technically the PM is any MP who can command a majority in the House of Commons - in practise the leader of a party who then go on and form a government. Making that leader the head of government. When the party in power changes its leader they should go to the country for a mandate

[@TruthThanks]

yh they stand and clap ALOT

[@NerdRoomProductions]

You missed out the best of the lot! Clement Attlee!!

[@crazyjedimindtrick]

It's called respect..

[@StormyWeather21]

Sr. Edward Kennedy......I LIKE IT!!!!!!!

[@rawdawg15]

It must be odd for him to be in a political chamber where people aren't calling out of term and shouting insults

[@bigman25plus25]

man, this congress likes to applaude.

[@knoose]

Im not sure why he is getting so many negative comments. Why do people debate that the USA is not the leader in so many fields of the world, when in fact it truly is. I think he is a great man and Prime Minister

[@bigman25plus25]

actually, opinion polls put him slightly higher than cameron when he came in (look it up) it's only later that his popularity declined.

[@Da1Dez]

Biden has hardly changed since 2009!

[@happyapple4269]

This aged well...

[@RHTeebs]

We are long overdue for another address from a UK Prime Minister. Probably not Boris, but, I'll take what I can get.

[@ThunderAppeal]

This is some amazing political meanuvering by the BO administration. Really remarkable indignation.

[@strongsouth]

We have a Congress not a Parliament, with the House of Representatives as the 'lower house' and the Senate as the 'upper house' [if that terminology applies.] The laws are decided by both houses in the Capitol, and it gets confirmed by one house, then passed to the other house to be voted on and amendments added. Eventually a law is passed after it's been passed back and forth between the Houses.

[@scolopede]

I am noticing my posts missing and some others too. Anybody else see this? Is it my imagination?

[@weeddegree]

its youtube, note how it says comment..... i.e comment on the video... not on peoples opinions.. you are not going to change anything even if you challenge something..

[@elitebanktyranny]

Ehhhh... 22:18 "If these times have shown us anything it's that the major challenges we face are global. No matter where it starts an economic crisis does not stop at the waters edge; it ripples across the world. Climate change does not own a passport control. Terrorism has no respect for borders. Modern communication instantly spans every continent. The New Frontier is that there is no frontier. And the 'new shared truth' is that global problems now need global solutions."

[@Stoozer]

But one could argue that the standing ovation by both houses is implicit (even explicit) consent. And technically a knighthood is an honour/award. The "title" is the prefix "sir" and the suffix "KBE" which he is not permitted - does that not circumvent the need to gain consent from Congress? An interesting dilema but one that I think is easily dealt with. Anyway, if needed I suspect Congress would give its "official" consent if that is required. :)

[@Illpol1]

Why dosen't he mention Mary Jo Kopenche

[@TheRedflagflyer]

@bagzie how on earth is he a marxist? He's barely a socialist.

[@errNoNameAtTheMoment]

i love all the standing up and clapping, its like the fookin ricki lake show in there looll

[@Stoozer]

Questions from the opposition parties are not submitted beforehand. "Friendly" questions from Labour MPs are obviously. The PM can only guess what might be coming his way from the opposition. That is the strength of our system - a good way of holding the executive to account. Even if all questions were submitted (which they aren't) it is still a different situation because he is facing a hostile audience NOT a polite audience willing to flatter his ego.

[@markyboy1704]

Well said, one point though, you say most taxed in Europe and nothing to show for it, can I just correct you on that, we have lots of new hospital & schools along with a massive PFI debt to contractors of approx £53 billion when these building are infact only worth approx £8 billion and will take approx 25 years to pay off. A lot of people don't realise this, they think all our taxes have gone to build these new facilities.

[@milesk5339]

His speech was only 5 minutes long.

[@boldertits]

He did make a difference world wide when the recession hit. If he didn't carry Blair's baggage he may have won.

[@joshsheffsagain4662]

It his policies that helped cause it!! 🤷🤷🤷🤦🤦🤦🤦

[@anugupta9008]

To say "thank you" for saving us during two world wars was a lovely and appropriate gesture. It is that kind of kindness that will preserve the defenders of liberty. Well done Gordon.

[@anenglishmanplusamerican7107]

No need to thank, because we love you. Saving you guys was a duty.

[@peaco1000]

Couldnt agree more. Its the same way that Americans like the royal family despite the tyranny America endured under that institution.

[@mrgeorgeallison]

I believe you mean Britain.

[@dhuxham]

Best speach of all time!

[@DanielCochranSC]

Well thank you for that insight. I guess that makes the "gift" Mr. O gave him even more horrible than originally thought to be, imho. The word "stoned" refers to the effects of smoking Marijuana on the "lazy eyelid" appearance. Anyhow, thanks for the information.

[@RachaelTodddoesbeauty]

@matthewthecoolkid you're wrong. I'm voting labour. I believe helping the majority, not the elite few. NHS waiting lists are at there lowest and there is a record number of people in higher education

[@jx14aby]

I'm an american and i thought the same thing.

[@KevinBradshaw1972]

There was a gaffe, Edward Kennedy could never be called Sir Edward as he is an American citizen

[@inderjitkaur432]

Good Speech

[@FWG93]

The people who are saying about GB being unelected can't claim to be being serious. Everybody knew as soon as TB took over that GB would succeed him as leader of the Labour Party, and it was common knowledge that TB was going to step down during this term, if you didn't want GB to get the top job then Labour shouldn't have been voted in at the last election!

[@phocjame]

And precisely what war of ours have you fought recently?

[@ngai1842]

please don't forget my thankful country, France :-)

[@krayzeeryan]

You do know all questions in PMQs are submitted to the PM in writting beforehand. You dont seriously think that the prime minister doesnt know what hes about to be asked? Lawls!

[@ir91]

@Independence4UK theres no such thing. the us say they have a the most "special relationship" with France, the UK, Israel, Canada, Germany, Japan... i could go on but i dont want to bore you

[@BoiledBunny]

That's not Gordon Brown. That's David Walliams.

[@spelqueka]

Nobody thought '' Let's decide that Americans can't receive knighthoods'' just so happens America hadn't been invented when Knighthoods were first around.

[@krayzeeryan]

thats why i put "lawls" after -.- /facepalm

[@MrSmegfish]

He was good at fixing problems he created....

[@jx14aby]

I liked tony blair. he was fun to listen to.