Readers invited to join Gordon Brown at Brum Cabinet meeting

Sep 4 2008 By Neil Elkes

PRIME Minister Gordon Brown will chair his first ever Cabinet meeting outside Downing Street in Birmingham on Monday.

And the Premier is inviting up to four Birmingham Mail readers to join him and ministers in the city centre to talk about the issues of the day.

This is a rare chance to discuss concerns such as knife crime, anti-social behaviour, interest rates and the economy, employment, fuel costs, housing, the NHS or education with a leading member of the Government in your home city.

The selected Mail readers will be among an audience of invited guests who, in small groups, will have the chance to talk to and quiz the 23 Cabinet ministers.

Following this public event, the Cabinet will then hold its regular private meeting.

It is thought to be the first time that the UK Cabinet has met outside London since 1921, when Liberal Prime Minister David Lloyd George convened an emergency meeting at his holiday location in Wester Ross to discuss the Irish conflict.

The move is the latest bid by Mr Brown to engage with people outside the Westminster political bubble, and it is hoped to boost his Government’s popularity.

Tory rivals have pointed out that Mr Brown is following opposition leader David Cameron’s decision to hold Shadow Cabinet meetings in the regions.

With the historic meeting only a few days away those who want to take part need to apply by e-mail before 7am tomorrow.

They will need to be in Birmingham city centre between 11am and 1pm on Monday, and can stay for a buffet lunch after.

For security reasons the exact location has yet to be revealed and guests will need to bring photo ID and proof of address to attend.

If you want to take part, contact us immediately at newsdesk@birminghammail.net and get your voice heard.

Write Cabinet offer in the subject box and describe in 50 to 100 words what you would do if you were Prime Minister for the day, to ensure a range of views can be represented at the meeting. The editor will select those chosen to take part.

We also need your full name, address, age, occupation and telephone number where you can be contacted at lunchtime Friday.