What were Gordon Brown’s main priorities when he became prime minister?

Upon becoming prime minister of the United Kingdom on June 27, 2007, Gordon Brown identified several key priorities for his administration:

• Public Service Reform: Brown pledged to make the reform of the National Health Service a major priority while maintaining the public-sector reforms previously implemented by his predecessor, Tony Blair.1
• Social Welfare: He committed to an "unremitting battle against poverty," signaling a focus on social equity.1
• Foreign Policy: In his approach to international affairs, Brown emphasized that the global fight against terrorism required more than just military force. He also signaled a shift toward focusing British policy on national interests rather than prioritizing closer integration with the European Union or the United States.1

These objectives defined the early stage of his premiership before his government was significantly challenged by the global financial crisis and recession that began in 2008.1