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Brown urges Labour 'confidence' Brown urges Labour 'confidence'
(40 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has urged Labour to "have confidence" in policies which he said would "persuade" voters to back the party at the next general election.Gordon Brown has urged Labour to "have confidence" in policies which he said would "persuade" voters to back the party at the next general election.
He was speaking to party activists at Warwick University after Labour's Glasgow East by-election defeat. He told activists meeting at Warwick University that there was a "brighter future" for Labour, despite its Glasgow East by-election defeat.
The Scottish National Party claimed the Glasgow East result was "off the Richter scale", after overturning a Labour majority of 13,507. But the Scottish National Party, which overturned a 13,507 majority, claimed its win was "off the Richter scale".
Conservative leader David Cameron urged Mr Brown to call a general election.Conservative leader David Cameron urged Mr Brown to call a general election.
"I think we need change in this country, and that's how change should come about," he said."I think we need change in this country, and that's how change should come about," he said.
'Brighter future' 'Wake up'
Mr Brown, who has to call a general election by June 2010 at the latest, appeared to suggest he would not go to the country soon.Mr Brown, who has to call a general election by June 2010 at the latest, appeared to suggest he would not go to the country soon.
Attacking the Conservative Party's policies, he said he did not want "to wake up 24 months from now" to see education and health budgets cut, at the same time as "massive tax cuts" for the rich.Attacking the Conservative Party's policies, he said he did not want "to wake up 24 months from now" to see education and health budgets cut, at the same time as "massive tax cuts" for the rich.
The prime minister's speech - which seemed to be delivered without notes - at the National Policy Forum in the university is being seen as a key moment in his efforts to turn round party morale. The prime minister appeared to speak without notes during his address to Labour's National Policy Forum at Warwick University.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeLabour stunned in Glasgow EastFROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeLabour stunned in Glasgow East
Mr Brown said there was "a brighter future that we can build". In what will be seen as an attempt to boost morale, he said there was "a brighter future that we can build".
He added: "Have confidence that not only do we have the right policies but that when the time comes we will be able to persuade the British people."He added: "Have confidence that not only do we have the right policies but that when the time comes we will be able to persuade the British people."
Mr Brown's message came after the SNP won Glasgow East seats - previously considered one of Labour's safest - by 365 votes, achieving a 22.54% swing. The SNP won Glasgow East - previously considered one of Labour's safest seats - by 365 votes, achieving a 22.54% swing.
It followed Labour's recent loss of the Crewe and Nantwich seat, the London mayoralty and poor results in local elections.It followed Labour's recent loss of the Crewe and Nantwich seat, the London mayoralty and poor results in local elections.
'Cost of living''Cost of living'
John Mason, the SNP's winning candidate in Glasgow East, said: "Three weeks ago the SNP predicted a political earthquake.John Mason, the SNP's winning candidate in Glasgow East, said: "Three weeks ago the SNP predicted a political earthquake.
"This SNP victory is not just a political earthquake; it is off the Richter scale. It is an epic win and the tremors will be felt all the way to Downing Street.""This SNP victory is not just a political earthquake; it is off the Richter scale. It is an epic win and the tremors will be felt all the way to Downing Street."
Will it add to the pressure on Gordon Brown? Of course Brian TaylorPolitical editor, BBC Scotland Read Brian's blogSend us your commentsWill it add to the pressure on Gordon Brown? Of course Brian TaylorPolitical editor, BBC Scotland Read Brian's blogSend us your comments
SNP leader and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said the by-election had been "a test of strength that the Labour party set the timing of".SNP leader and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said the by-election had been "a test of strength that the Labour party set the timing of".
He added: "It was in their third safest seat in the whole of Scotland. That was the test of strength, and it was London Labour that was found wanting and the SNP in Scotland that emerged victorious."He added: "It was in their third safest seat in the whole of Scotland. That was the test of strength, and it was London Labour that was found wanting and the SNP in Scotland that emerged victorious."
Chancellor Alistair Darling told BBC Radio 4's The World at One that Mr Brown had a "clear sense of direction".
He added that Labour had to "concentrate on getting the right policies to support people through what are undoubtedly difficult times" and "articulate the reason for our existence in the first place."
'Cost of living'
Earlier, Scottish Secretary Des Browne told BBC Radio 4's Today programme people did not vote for divided parties and urged Labour to "unite" behind Mr Brown.Earlier, Scottish Secretary Des Browne told BBC Radio 4's Today programme people did not vote for divided parties and urged Labour to "unite" behind Mr Brown.
He said the loss had been "directly related to the cost of living" and said "we need to do more of the sorts of things that we've been doing". He said the Glasgow East loss had been "directly related to the cost of living" and that "we need to do more of the sorts of things that we've been doing".
'Scottish context'
"People do not think that the steps we are taking at the moment are adequately responding to the circumstances that they feel," Mr Browne said.
There was also a "Scottish context" to the defeat, with Labour currently lacking a leader in Scotland and having lost control of the country's parliament, he added.
At the Warwick conference, the unions, which now account for the vast majority of Labour funding, are reportedly putting about 100 demands on issues ranging from new rights for workers to free school meals for all primary school pupils.At the Warwick conference, the unions, which now account for the vast majority of Labour funding, are reportedly putting about 100 demands on issues ranging from new rights for workers to free school meals for all primary school pupils.
The three-day forum will be considering new ideas and amendments to current policies.The three-day forum will be considering new ideas and amendments to current policies.
It brings together 55 Constituency Labour Parties and 30 trade unions, as well as other socialist movements.It brings together 55 Constituency Labour Parties and 30 trade unions, as well as other socialist movements.
It divides policy into six areas - Britain in the world; communities; crime and justice; education; health; prosperity.It divides policy into six areas - Britain in the world; communities; crime and justice; education; health; prosperity.