Your vote will matter

Former PM and Rayner on child poverty mission

- PAUL HUTCHEON

GORDON Brown says a Keir Starmer Labour government would be a “pioneer” for slashing child poverty rates across the UK.

The former prime minister said he believed a Labour win next week will be a "landmark" for struggling kids and their families.

In a joint interview with deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner, he said: "I would appeal to Record readers to come out and vote. The vote does matter this time. We have had enough of Conservatives running this country.

Brown was chancellor and prime minister during 13 years of government from 1997.

He helped take millions of children and pensioners out of poverty with the minimum wage, tax credits for people on low incomes and Sure Start centres for parents.

Rayner, who is likely to have the role of strengthening workers' rights in a Starmer government, was a teenage mum during the Brown and Tony Blair years.

Sitting with Brown in St Bryce Kirk, Kirkcaldy, where the ex-PM's late father was the minister, she told of the impact his government had on her.

She said: "My mum was illiterate and had mental health problems, and I didn't know how to be a mum. Sure Start was incredible. I went on a parenting course and learned for the first time that the way I parented my son wasn't bringing out the best in him.

"That has transformed my life and my son's life because the relationship I have with him is incredible."