One hundred days done
On the day that Gordon Brown became Prime Minister, we laid down a challenge to the new premier to:
- Go further on fighting poverty
- Go faster on climate change
- Go for a just foreign policy
Oxfam supporters - well over 12,000 of you in total - leapt into action and joined the call for Gordon Brown to do everything in his power to tackle poverty.
On 5 October, Gordon Brown's first 100 days in office came to an end. Now, it's time to assess the progress he's made and take a look at how you helped put pressure on the new Prime Minister.
On your marks, get set, Go Gordon
With the challenge set to keep the pressure on the new Prime Minister, Oxfam supporters pulled on their old jogging shoes and took photos and videos of themselves in their running kit chasing after Gordon Brown (or at least the best look-a-like they could find) to go further on fighting poverty.
Well over 12,000 campaign actions were taken, with Oxfam supporters writing letters and sending emails to Gordon Brown and even joining in the chase by signing up to the Go Gordon Facebook group.
Check out photo and video messages to Gordon Brown on our Flickr and Youtube pages.
On 26 October, we delivered your messages to Number 10. Read Gordon Brown's reply to Oxfam (PDF 623kb).
And the verdict is...
Global poverty: good, but keep going
It is on fighting global poverty that Mr Brown made the most progress. The Prime Minister committed extra funds for aid which will pay for schools, teachers, nurses and doctors across Africa – a good step in the right direct direction.
Foreign policy: needs more consistency
Gordon Brown’s foreign policy is mixed. He has shown strong leadership on the humanitarian crisis in Darfur and Chad. But the UK government could do better in the Middle East. It should do more to push for changes to improve the lives of ordinary people in Gaza, whose economy is in tatters after it has been virtually cut off from the outside world.
Climate change: jury still out
On climate change Gordon Brown has shown some leadership but more must be done – by the UK and other developed countries – to help the people whose homes and livelihoods are being destroyed. Without this help, much of the good done by the increases in aid could be lost.
The race goes on
Gordon Brown’s first 100 days may now have passed, but the race to end poverty and suffering is far from over.
Climate change is already having a huge impact on the world’s poorest people. This December, Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, will attend crucial UN climate change talks.
Email Hilary Benn and tell him to do everything in his power to ensure the needs of poor people are at the heart of the talks.
