Brown to overhaul Queen's Speech

Gordon Brown is to radically overhaul his Queen's Speech to reflect the economic crisis and build on Labour's fightback in the polls.

Discussions about the legislative programme dominated the first meeting of Mr Brown's new Cabinet today as he welcomed Peter Mandelson back to the top table.

Allies today claimed that Mr Brown was "getting the band back together" as it emerged that former spin chief Alastair Campbell was set to help in Labour's election campaigns alongside Mr Mandelson and Douglas Alexander.

The Prime Minister's spokesman made clear that Mr Mandelson, the new Business Secretary, was warmly greeted by Mr Brown. His appointment is part of a wider strategy of focusing on the economy and trying to expose Tory weaknesses.

At the 80-minute meeting Mr Brown led the discussion on the global financial meltdown in place of the Chancellor, who was in Luxembourg.

The official Queen's Speech next month is seen by No10 as another key moment to turn around Labour's fortunes and provide a "fightback point" should it lose the Glenrothes by-election on 6 November. The Banking Bill, being published today, forms the centrepiece of the new programme.