In debt-laden Britain, UK’s Brown attempts to woo voters with low-cost national election plan

In debt-laden UK, Brown has low-cost election plan

LONDON — British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says he has a bold — but low-cost — plan to win the country’s election, including a promise to push for an international levy on bank transactions.

Launching his party’s election manifesto Monday, Brown promised his government would prioritize spending on schools, health and policing — but little else.

Britain is grappling with a 167 billion pound ($250 billion) deficit, the key issue in the country’s May 6 election.

Brown’s plan promises 15 billion pounds of budget trimming in 2011, but no “reckless cuts to public spending.”

The opposition Conservative Party, which will unveil a manifesto Tuesday, favors immediate and deeper cuts.

Brown says his policy slate is “ambitious but affordable.”