GORDON BROWN vowed not to repeat the Tory mistakes of the 1980s when Liverpool was “abandoned” to the misery of recession, as he arrived in the city for today’s landmark Cabinet meeting.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Post, the Prime Minister pledged that the Government would do everything it could to help the people of Liverpool – insisting it had a strong future, regardless of the economic crisis.

In a wide-ranging interview, Mr Brown revealed the Government was exploring bringing forward huge redevelopment plans for some of the city’s hospitals, to help kick-start the economy.

He also pledged to look into why Merseyside GPs had been slow to offer family-friendly hours, and insisted he bore no hard feelings towards local MPs who tried to force him out of Downing Street last autumn.

But Mr Brown was cautious on a possible rescue deal for crisis-hit Jaguar Land Rover, on which the Daily Post launched a major campaign this week, saying: “I don’t think you would expect me to make any announcement until the talks are finished.”

The Prime Minister also denied his own mistakes had prompted the recession – and insisted behind-the-scenes talks were a better way of achieving peace in Gaza than bowing to pressure to condemn Israel.

Mr Brown arrives in Liverpool keen to convince voters that his recent blizzard of initiatives will bring forward economic recovery – even as the jobless and home repossession counts mount.

Hence, he said, the focus of Cabinet visits today to businesses, voluntary groups, schools and health centres will be on job creation and investment in key public services.

Pointing to the contrast with Tory reaction to past recessions, Mr Brown said: “Liverpool has shown that the worst way of dealing with world downturn is to neglect and abandon people.

“I think the Conservatives abandoned Liverpool in the 1980s, but we are showing we will do everything we can, even as we face a huge global financial problem. We will show the people of Liverpool that we will do everything we can to help them.

“The city has a proud past and also, because of its regeneration, will have a strong future. As we come through this world downturn, I think Liverpool’s assets and its great talents will become even more obvious to people.

“I was in Liverpool for the Capital of Culture and visited some of the events that took place. I’m looking forward to meeting people, hearing what they have got to say and telling them what we are doing.”

On hospitals, Mr Brown revealed himself to be very well-briefed on redevelopment plans at the Royal Liverpool (£477m), Alder Hey (£235m) and new mental health facilities (£170m).

And he said: “We are bringing forward a number of plans – I think £3bn of plans currently.