Gordon Brown

Gordon Brown argues that the global public is rejecting nationalist populism and wants stronger international cooperation on human rights, climate change, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, humanitarian aid and poverty. A survey of more than 36,000 people in 34 countries found that 55% would support cooperation even when it required compromising national interests, while 80% favored a global system promoting peace, stability and human dignity. Brown contends that rebuilding community ties at home can strengthen support for cooperation abroad. As power becomes more multipolar and the US, China and Russia are viewed less favorably, he proposes that countries including Canada, Australia, Italy, Japan, the UK, France, Brazil and South Korea coordinate to reform international institutions and advance a 2027 programme through the United Nations. He acknowledges the coercive advantages of the US and China but argues that legitimacy, voting power and public support give other countries significant influence.

Five years after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, women and girls face bans on secondary and higher education, public-sector and NGO work, travel, and access to public spaces, alongside forced marriage and domestic violence. Gordon Brown argues that the international community has failed to respond adequately and should establish a fund providing bursaries, safe educational spaces and financial support for families. He points to programmes in Pakistan and Bangladesh, as well as covert and unconventional schooling supported by UNICEF and Education Cannot Wait, as evidence that education can prevent child marriage. He also welcomes proposed UK refugee-resettlement and scholarship routes but urges broader international action to help Afghan girls continue their education and defend their human rights.

Gordon Brown argues that a special tribunal established through the Council of Europe and supported by the European Union should prosecute Vladimir Putin’s inner circle for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. He says the tribunal would address the International Criminal Court’s inability to prosecute Russian leaders for aggression, hold generals and officials accountable even in absentia, and reinforce the international rules-based order. Brown presents accountability for Russia’s invasion, attacks on civilians and destruction of Ukrainian infrastructure as essential to achieving a durable peace and deterring future atrocities.

The bombing of Shajareh Tayyebeh school in Minab, Iran, reportedly killed 168 people, primarily schoolgirls, and has prompted disputes over whether the United States or Iran was responsible. Gordon Brown argues that attacks on schools and children must be treated as serious violations of international humanitarian law, regardless of claims that strikes were unintentional or that schools were used for military purposes. Citing wider casualties and destruction affecting children in Iran, Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon, he calls for schools to receive protection equivalent to hospitals, full investigations and prosecution of leaders who authorize or permit such attacks. He also proposes a dedicated international criminal court or stronger judicial protocols focused on crimes against children, while emphasizing that keeping schools open during war is essential to preserving hope and social stability.

Gordon Brown expresses regret for appointing Peter Mandelson to government and condemns the alleged abuse, corruption and privileged access surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and Mandelson. He argues that repeated British scandals have severely damaged public trust and calls for an independent anti-corruption commission with investigative powers, a statutory ethics and integrity commission, restrictions on MPs’ second jobs and lobbying, stronger disclosure rules, reform of the House of Lords, and public parliamentary vetting of major appointments. Brown says the government must implement these measures rapidly to prevent powerful figures from acting with impunity.

The Taliban have expanded their restrictions on Afghan women and girls, banning secondary and higher education, most employment and access to many public spaces. Gordon Brown argues that diplomatic engagement by Russia, China, India and some European governments has rewarded the regime without securing concessions and encouraged its leaders to act with impunity. The article highlights internal Taliban divisions, growing power in Kandahar, international efforts to establish gender apartheid as a crime and ICC arrest warrants for Hibatullah Akhundzada and Abdul Hakim Haqqani. Underground education and women’s resistance continue, but Afghanistan’s worsening poverty, food insecurity and exclusion of half the population from education and work threaten the country’s future.

Donald Trump’s threat to take control of Greenland, potentially by force, signals the collapse of the US-led liberal rules-based order, according to Gordon Brown. He argues that Europe, democracies in the global south and other states must create a new values charter supporting self-determination, international law, democratic accountability, human rights, social justice, climate resilience and pandemic prevention. The proposed framework should share power in a multipolar world without accepting spheres of influence dominated by the US, Russia or China. Brown contends that Europe must respond more decisively to US trade violations, aid cuts and withdrawal from international organizations, while the United States could eventually reclaim a constructive leadership role by returning to principles of law, justice and collective security.

Gordon Brown argues that assisted-dying legislation in England, Wales and Scotland should be delayed until the UK delivers properly funded, equitable palliative and end-of-life care. Hospices face growing deficits, bed closures, staffing pressures and waiting lists, while poorer and ethnic-minority communities are less likely to receive services. He contrasts the proposed Westminster and Scottish safeguards, warning that differing eligibility rules could create a two-tier system and encourage cross-border movement. Brown urges the House of Lords and MPs to require implementation of major end-of-life-care reforms before assisted dying proceeds.

Gordon Brown argues that, as the United States retreats from climate leadership, the United Kingdom, European Union, Norway, Japan and other countries must build a stronger coalition at COP30 in Brazil. He calls for accelerated implementation of national climate plans, $1.3 trillion in annual public and private climate finance for the global south by 2035, support for Brazil’s tropical forest initiative, wider methane reductions and policies focused on protecting lives and livelihoods. Rising emissions, intensifying extreme weather and inadequate national commitments leave the world headed toward 2.3C–2.7C of warming, making the COP30 and G20 meetings a critical test of international cooperation and political ambition.

Gordon Brown argues that Reform UK and similar hard-right movements are part of a broader global surge in authoritarian ethnic nationalism driven by grievances over unequal globalisation, economic insecurity and declining trust in institutions. He maintains that most people are not committed nationalists but are open to international cooperation when it delivers humanitarian, economic or security benefits. Brown says Reform’s proposed £275bn reduction in public spending would damage already struggling communities and public services, and urges opponents to challenge the party’s policies while offering an inclusive, hopeful and practically beneficial alternative.

Gordon Brown describes worsening child poverty in Britain, emphasizing inadequate housing, food insecurity, homelessness, school stigma and the psychological harm experienced by children. Citing the Children’s Commissioner for England, the Trussell Trust and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, he highlights deep poverty among large families affected by the two-child benefit cap and calls for urgent action before the November budget. He proposes taxing excess gambling profits and reconsidering the interest-rate subsidy enjoyed by commercial banks, arguing that an initial package could lift 500,000 children out of poverty and ease hardship for another 900,000.

Gordon Brown argues that the UK government can lift nearly 500,000 children out of poverty by raising taxes on the highly profitable gambling and betting industry while excluding lotteries and bingo. He describes severe and worsening child poverty, criticises Conservative-era austerity and the two-child benefit rule, and says measures such as breakfast clubs, school lunches and childcare will not be sufficient without increased family incomes. Brown estimates that higher online gaming, betting and machine-game duties could raise up to £3bn, enough to fund the abolition of the two-child rule and reduce the long-term costs of ill health, homelessness and children entering care.