'SOLIHULL HAS NOT BENEFITED FROM BROWN'S FIRST YEAR AS PRIME MINISTER' - BURT

12.03.29pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 25th Jun 2008

Solihull has not benefited from Gordon Brown's leadership, according to Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt.

Labour MPs unanimously made Mr Brown party leader last year and on 27th June, they will celebrate his first anniversary as Prime Minister.

But Mrs Burt is unhappy about Mr Brown's leadership and has argued strongly that Solihull has failed to benefit from his year as Prime Minister.

Lorely Burt MP said, "Gordon Brown has been in office for a year and I am still looking for any significant improvements here in Solihull.

"We are facing increasing problems from higher food and fuel prices that will put a real squeeze on the economy and hit the pockets of hard pressed families.

"Instead of the strong leadership claims Labour spun last year, we have endured months of dithering, indecision and a chaotic government under Prime Minister Brown. He seems more like a rabbit frozen in the headlights rather than a person giving leadership to the country.

"Having failed to sort out these mounting problems, thousands of local residents on low incomes continue to be worse off under Gordon Brown's 10p tax grab, despite the panic concessions last month.

"Council tax continues to spiral and many local residents are forced to live in overcrowded conditions because of the credit crunch and the failure of Labour to build sufficient affordable homes.

"As I go around Solihull speaking to residents, I find more and more anger as matters get worse under Gordon Brown rather than better."