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Brown urges Labour 'confidence' Brown urges Labour 'confidence'
(10 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 was speaking to party activists at Warwick University after Labour's 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.The Scottish National Party claimed the Glasgow East result was "off the Richter scale", after overturning a Labour majority of 13,507.
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," said Mr Cameron. "I think we need change in this country, and that's how change should come about," he said.
'Brighter future''Brighter future'
The prime minister's speech - which appeared to be delivered without notes - at the National Policy Forum in Warwick is being seen as a key moment in his efforts to turn round party morale. 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.
He said there was "a brighter future that we can build". 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.
Mr Brown added that he did not want "to wake up 24 months from now" to see education and health budgets cut by the Conservatives, 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.
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."
Earlier he told the BBC: "I think what people want to know is that we understand and we hear their concerns.
"People are worried every time they go to the petrol station for fuel and worry about the costs... These are concerns that are happening in every other country.
"My whole focus and whole task is to take people through difficult times..."
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".
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."
The Glasgow East seat became vacant with the resignation on health grounds of Labour's David Marshall.The Glasgow East seat became vacant with the resignation on health grounds of Labour's David Marshall.
It has long been regarded as one of Labour's safest seats - but the SNP won it by 365 votes, achieving a swing of 22.54% from Labour.It has long been regarded as one of Labour's safest seats - but the SNP won it by 365 votes, achieving a swing of 22.54% from Labour.
It follows the recent loss of the Crewe and Nantwich seat, the London mayoralty and poor results in local elections.It follows the 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
Earlier, Scottish Secretary Des Browne told BBC Radio 4's Today programme people do not vote for divided parties and Labour must unite behind Mr Brown. 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 said the loss was "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 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."
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.
'Hold our nerve'
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".
"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.."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..
"We need to build on what we have been doing - and we planned to do that in any event - but we also need to hold our nerve and hold the course on the longer-term issues.""We need to build on what we have been doing - and we planned to do that in any event - but we also need to hold our nerve and hold the course on the longer-term issues."
Union demands
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.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 Party 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.