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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Brown set to rally Labour troops | Brown set to rally Labour troops |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Gordon Brown will later issue a rallying call to Labour activists ahead of May's local elections. | Gordon Brown will later issue a rallying call to Labour activists ahead of May's local elections. |
| In a speech to the party's spring conference in Birmingham, he will say Labour can deliver on the "dreams" voters have for their families. | In a speech to the party's spring conference in Birmingham, he will say Labour can deliver on the "dreams" voters have for their families. |
| The prime minister will avoid big policy statements, focusing instead on Labour's three-year vision. | The prime minister will avoid big policy statements, focusing instead on Labour's three-year vision. |
| It is his first speech to party members since his decision not to call an election in October. | It is his first speech to party members since his decision not to call an election in October. |
| Labour has seen its opinion poll ratings recover slightly since then but they are still trailing the Conservative Party. | Labour has seen its opinion poll ratings recover slightly since then but they are still trailing the Conservative Party. |
| The party is expected to face a tough fight at May's elections, when it will be contesting elections for about 160 councils in England and all Welsh councils. | The party is expected to face a tough fight at May's elections, when it will be contesting elections for about 160 councils in England and all Welsh councils. |
| 'Better future' | 'Better future' |
| It also faces a crucial test in London, where Ken Livingstone is running for a third term as mayor. | It also faces a crucial test in London, where Ken Livingstone is running for a third term as mayor. |
| When people ask me why they should vote for New Labour, I ask them to think of the dreams they have for their kids Gordon BrownLabour leader | When people ask me why they should vote for New Labour, I ask them to think of the dreams they have for their kids Gordon BrownLabour leader |
| In his speech, Mr Brown will focus on the kinds of policies people can expect to see from Labour between now and 2010 - the last possible date for a general election. | In his speech, Mr Brown will focus on the kinds of policies people can expect to see from Labour between now and 2010 - the last possible date for a general election. |
| But he will also attempt to breathe fire into the belly of activists by talking about the message he wants them to deliver on the doorstep. | But he will also attempt to breathe fire into the belly of activists by talking about the message he wants them to deliver on the doorstep. |
| "When people ask me why they should vote for New Labour, I ask them to think of the dreams they have for their kids and then join us in daring to believe that a better future for them and for us all is ours to make," the prime minister will say. | "When people ask me why they should vote for New Labour, I ask them to think of the dreams they have for their kids and then join us in daring to believe that a better future for them and for us all is ours to make," the prime minister will say. |
| His pledges will include rebuilding or refurbishing more than 320 schools by 2010, ensuring half of GP surgeries are open for at least one evening or weekend session every week by 2009 and building three million more homes. | His pledges will include rebuilding or refurbishing more than 320 schools by 2010, ensuring half of GP surgeries are open for at least one evening or weekend session every week by 2009 and building three million more homes. |
| Child poverty | Child poverty |
| He will say: "This is the New Labour promise of opportunity and security, not just for some but for all. | He will say: "This is the New Labour promise of opportunity and security, not just for some but for all. |
| "Personalised public services tailored to your needs, excellent education for all and economic stability on the road to full employment." | "Personalised public services tailored to your needs, excellent education for all and economic stability on the road to full employment." |
| The prime minister will also underline his commitment to eradicating child poverty, describing it as "a scar on the soul of Britain". | The prime minister will also underline his commitment to eradicating child poverty, describing it as "a scar on the soul of Britain". |
| We are trying to do something quite difficult which is to win a fourth term in office Ed MilibandCabinet office minister | |
| And he will highlight pledges that every child should leave school able to read, write and count - with personalised tuition if necessary. | And he will highlight pledges that every child should leave school able to read, write and count - with personalised tuition if necessary. |
| Mr Brown will also defend Chancellor Alistair Darling - who has faced calls for his resignation over his handling of the Northern Rock nationalisation. | Mr Brown will also defend Chancellor Alistair Darling - who has faced calls for his resignation over his handling of the Northern Rock nationalisation. |
| "My pledge to the British people is that we will keep inflation and mortgage rates low, and side by side with our programme for three million more houses, enable thousands more young people to afford to buy a home of their own for the first time," Mr Brown will say. | "My pledge to the British people is that we will keep inflation and mortgage rates low, and side by side with our programme for three million more houses, enable thousands more young people to afford to buy a home of their own for the first time," Mr Brown will say. |
| He will also highlight plans for welfare reform, ensuring "that all who can work must work". | He will also highlight plans for welfare reform, ensuring "that all who can work must work". |
| And he will confirm plans for issuing compulsory ID cards to foreign nationals next year. | And he will confirm plans for issuing compulsory ID cards to foreign nationals next year. |
| 'Difficult' | 'Difficult' |
| Cabinet Office Minister Ed Miliband earlier acknowledged the government had been through a difficult period but insisted that Labour could go on to win a fourth general election. | Cabinet Office Minister Ed Miliband earlier acknowledged the government had been through a difficult period but insisted that Labour could go on to win a fourth general election. |
| "Undoubtedly we have had a difficult six months with some of the events that have happened," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. | "Undoubtedly we have had a difficult six months with some of the events that have happened," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. |
| "But I think that in the end people judge prime ministers and governments on the big substantive issues, on whether they make the right long term decisions for the country. | "But I think that in the end people judge prime ministers and governments on the big substantive issues, on whether they make the right long term decisions for the country. |
| "We are trying to do something quite difficult which is to win a fourth term in office and the way we are going to do that is ... by saying this is our philosophy, this is where we are going to take the country, and this is what we believe in. | "We are trying to do something quite difficult which is to win a fourth term in office and the way we are going to do that is ... by saying this is our philosophy, this is where we are going to take the country, and this is what we believe in. |
| "I think that if we do those things we can indeed win a fourth election." | "I think that if we do those things we can indeed win a fourth election." |