Our lives will never be the same again, says Brown

by REBECCA PAVELEY, Daily Mail

Gordon Brown spoke publicly for the first time last night about the death of his baby daughter Jennifer, saying that his and his wife Sarah's life would never be the same again.

Ignoring the advice of his aides, the Chancellor talked emotionally of Jennifer's death at just ten days old and said that he wanted now to concentrate on his work.

Jennifer Jane was born seven weeks premature by Caesarean section on December 28. She died in her parents' arms on January 7 following a brain haemorrhage.

Mr Brown, in an interview with the Times, said: 'It is true to say that for both of us nothing can ever be quite the same again.

'Sarah and I have been very moved indeed by the kind messages and the support and sympathy we have received from people around the country.

'We have also marvelled at the skill and kindness and the friendship of doctors, midwives and staff in the hospitals which we have dealt with.'

The couple returned to London from Mr Brown's constituency of Dunfermline East only a week ago.

In the interview, he also warned that he was prepared to put up taxes in the Budget to pay for improvements to the health service.

He said: 'I have not ruled out tax changes. What the public want is a properly-funded health service on a sustainable long-term footing.'

He is expecting a report on the funding of the NHS - by former bank executive Derek Wanless - to have a large impact on the health care debate.

'People will want a full account of what the costs will be over a period of years. Once people know that, they will make their own judgments.

'What they want to know is that they are achieving value for money for the investment that is essential for their reassurance about the health service being there when they need it.

'It is clear to most people that the service needs more money. The question after Wanless is obviously what judgments we as a Government make. I think the public will be ready to make a judgment when they see these reports.'

He also warned there were 'tough choices' ahead over spending, for the Treasury and for individual departments.

Most watched News videos