Now Britons can quiz PM on YouTube

By Avril Ormsby

LONDON (Reuters Life!) - Gordon Brown launched a YouTube version of Prime Minister's Questions on Monday in an attempt to connect with younger British voters and dispel opposition jibes that he is not in tune with the digital age.

Video questions can be submitted on any subject in an "Ask the PM" section on Downing Street's YouTube website.

Brown will answer the questions which receive the most votes at the end of June, but the plan is to run the initiative on a regular basis via the video sharing site.

"Politicians get a chance in prime minister's question time and other question times -- I think it's time the public had a chance," he says.

The move follows Brown's pledge to listen and learn after voters gave his Labour Party a drubbing in local elections earlier this month.

On Thursday, his leadership comes under further scrutiny when voters go to the polls in a by-election for the Crewe and Nantwich constituency, with polls suggesting Labour could lose the seat.

During his YouTube clip, Brown invites questions on subjects such as globalization, climate change, the health service, jobs and housing.

"I am here to answer your questions," he says.