Labour accused of failing ordinary people

A Labour minister has accused the Government of "too often" failing to tackle issues affecting ordinary people.

Junior Health minister, Ivan Lewis, claimed he was not criticising Gordon Brown but said his party is ignoring issues most important to hard-working families.

In a newspaper interview, he said: "This is not a criticism of Gordon, but we have been in government 11 years and instead of being on the side of the people, too often we simply defend the status quo, even when it is unacceptable."

Mr Lewis said it was ironic that Labour, having "revolutionised" communications in politics, had "failed so dismally" to persuade people that it had delivered improvements in public services and living standards.

"It is right we focus on the great challenges of climate change, globalisation, security and poverty at home and abroad and the nature of public service reform," he said.

"However, we are too often silent on the daily realities facing hardworking families."

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "I don't agree with him that we are out of touch.

"I do agree with him that it is fundamentally important that we listen to what the British people are saying."

Mr Lewis' comments were in stark contrast with the Prime Minister's remarks at the launch of Labour's local election campaign on Tuesday.

In a foreword to the campaign launch document, Mr Brown wrote: "Our starting point is, and always will be, the struggles and the hopes and ambitions of hard working families."

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