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Brown prepares for crucial speech Brown prepares for crucial speech
(9 minutes later)
Gordon Brown will strive to reassert his authority over Labour in his keynote speech at the party conference.Gordon Brown will strive to reassert his authority over Labour in his keynote speech at the party conference.
The prime minister will spell out a vision of "a Britain of fair chances for all and fair rules applied to all".The prime minister will spell out a vision of "a Britain of fair chances for all and fair rules applied to all".
But the speech comes amid continued muttering about his leadership and speculation about a challenge from Foreign Secretary David Miliband.But the speech comes amid continued muttering about his leadership and speculation about a challenge from Foreign Secretary David Miliband.
It means Mr Brown is under pressure to give the speech of his life when he addresses conference at about 1430 BST.It means Mr Brown is under pressure to give the speech of his life when he addresses conference at about 1430 BST.
'Key qualities''Key qualities'
Expectatons are running high among party members and MPs, who are looking to the prime minister to lift the mood of the conference which has been overshadowed by speculation about his leadership.Expectatons are running high among party members and MPs, who are looking to the prime minister to lift the mood of the conference which has been overshadowed by speculation about his leadership.
They will start filing into the hall in Manchester after lunch for the ticket-only event.They will start filing into the hall in Manchester after lunch for the ticket-only event.
Cabinet member Andy Burnham acknowledged it was an "important" speech, given a run-up to conference which had "not been ideal".Cabinet member Andy Burnham acknowledged it was an "important" speech, given a run-up to conference which had "not been ideal".
The speech is expected to include a highly personal statement of Mr Brown's values and believes - but apart from admitting the government got it wrong over the abolition of the 10p tax rate there will be no admission of past mistakes as some had been predicting.The speech is expected to include a highly personal statement of Mr Brown's values and believes - but apart from admitting the government got it wrong over the abolition of the 10p tax rate there will be no admission of past mistakes as some had been predicting.
And he will stress that he is not just the man to lead the country through its current problems - he is the right man for the future as well, emphasising his commitment to fairness and "what is worth fighting for".And he will stress that he is not just the man to lead the country through its current problems - he is the right man for the future as well, emphasising his commitment to fairness and "what is worth fighting for".
He will speak with notes - eschewing the trend for leaders to wander the conference stage reading from autocues.He will speak with notes - eschewing the trend for leaders to wander the conference stage reading from autocues.
Gordon Brown was elected 15 months ago because of his record and his promise. He is the same man today Jack Straw, Justice Secretary Is Brown still under threat?Conference at-a-glanceGordon Brown was elected 15 months ago because of his record and his promise. He is the same man today Jack Straw, Justice Secretary Is Brown still under threat?Conference at-a-glance
Ahead of the speech, Jack Straw said Gordon Brown's qualities were "shining through" in the current financial crisis, praising his "huge experience, imagination and determination".Ahead of the speech, Jack Straw said Gordon Brown's qualities were "shining through" in the current financial crisis, praising his "huge experience, imagination and determination".
He said he did not believe voters had permanently turned against Mr Brown and denied there were parallels between Labour's current troubles and its internal strife during the early 1980s.He said he did not believe voters had permanently turned against Mr Brown and denied there were parallels between Labour's current troubles and its internal strife during the early 1980s.
"Gordon Brown was elected 15 months ago because of his record and his promise," the justice secretary said. "He is the same man today.""Gordon Brown was elected 15 months ago because of his record and his promise," the justice secretary said. "He is the same man today."
"His record is even more appropriate today in the current circumstances than it was when he was elected.""His record is even more appropriate today in the current circumstances than it was when he was elected."
Cabinet minister Douglas Alexander, a close ally of the prime minister, sought to downplay the personal challenge facing Mr Brown.Cabinet minister Douglas Alexander, a close ally of the prime minister, sought to downplay the personal challenge facing Mr Brown.
He said the speech would not "really be about Gordon" but rather Labour's efforts to help hard-pressed workers and families.He said the speech would not "really be about Gordon" but rather Labour's efforts to help hard-pressed workers and families.
FairnessFairness
Mr Brown will tell delegates: "In this world of vast economic and social change, new opportunity for all must be matched with a new responsibility from all. Our aim is a something-for-something Britain, nothing-for-nothing Britain."Mr Brown will tell delegates: "In this world of vast economic and social change, new opportunity for all must be matched with a new responsibility from all. Our aim is a something-for-something Britain, nothing-for-nothing Britain."
The theme of fairness will run through the speech, with the prime minister saying no-one should "take more out of the system than they are willing to put in".The theme of fairness will run through the speech, with the prime minister saying no-one should "take more out of the system than they are willing to put in".
LIVE COVERAGE There will be live text coverage of Gordon Brown's speech, including all the build-up and reaction afterwards, starting from 1300 BST Miliband feared 'Heseltine moment' LIVE COVERAGE There will be live text coverage of Gordon Brown's speech, including all the build-up and reaction afterwards, starting from 1300 BST Miliband feared 'Heseltine moment' class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/nickrobinson/2008/09/gordon_gets_per.html">Read Nick Robinson's blog
Mr Brown will say: "Our policy is that everyone who can work must work, so that the dole is only for those looking for work or actively preparing for it.Mr Brown will say: "Our policy is that everyone who can work must work, so that the dole is only for those looking for work or actively preparing for it.
"That's only fair to the people pulling their weight.""That's only fair to the people pulling their weight."
He will tell the conference that taking action on the causes of crime will never mean indulging criminals, promising higher profile verdicts in court cases and "greater visibility" for those doing community service.He will tell the conference that taking action on the causes of crime will never mean indulging criminals, promising higher profile verdicts in court cases and "greater visibility" for those doing community service.
Meanwhile, on immigration he will say: "We recognise the contribution that migrants make to our economy and our society, but the other side of welcoming newcomers who can help Britain is being tough about excluding those who won't and can't.Meanwhile, on immigration he will say: "We recognise the contribution that migrants make to our economy and our society, but the other side of welcoming newcomers who can help Britain is being tough about excluding those who won't and can't.
"That's only fair to the tax-paying public and to the migrants who uphold the rules.""That's only fair to the tax-paying public and to the migrants who uphold the rules."
Mr Brown will promise to "create rules that reward those who play by them and punish those who don't.Mr Brown will promise to "create rules that reward those who play by them and punish those who don't.
"That's what fairness means to me.""That's what fairness means to me."
BROWNOMETER Mr Miliband's reference to "Heseltine" will have the PM looking over his shoulder - metaphorically, of course - as he speaks Full conference coverageBROWNOMETER Mr Miliband's reference to "Heseltine" will have the PM looking over his shoulder - metaphorically, of course - as he speaks Full conference coverage
Aides were briefing that he had been delayed in writing his speech by transatlantic phone calls about the implications for British jobs and investment over the restructuring of Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.Aides were briefing that he had been delayed in writing his speech by transatlantic phone calls about the implications for British jobs and investment over the restructuring of Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.
The major policy announcement in the speech is expected to be a £300m plan to offer free computer access to children from low income families to boost their chances in the jobs market.The major policy announcement in the speech is expected to be a £300m plan to offer free computer access to children from low income families to boost their chances in the jobs market.
Mr Brown is expected to say that 1.4m schoolchildren do not have internet access and are losing out educationally and do not have the necessary skills to get good jobs.Mr Brown is expected to say that 1.4m schoolchildren do not have internet access and are losing out educationally and do not have the necessary skills to get good jobs.
He will outline plans to give up to £700 in computer vouchers to schoolchildren who cannot afford internet access.He will outline plans to give up to £700 in computer vouchers to schoolchildren who cannot afford internet access.
During his speech on Monday, Mr Miliband praised Mr Brown twice, but for past achievements, and spoke of the need for "leadership from the party of change".During his speech on Monday, Mr Miliband praised Mr Brown twice, but for past achievements, and spoke of the need for "leadership from the party of change".
David Miliband praises Gordon Brown during his address to delegatesDavid Miliband praises Gordon Brown during his address to delegates
Afterwards, when his staff told him that his speech was being given six marks out of 10, Mr Miliband replied: "I couldn't have gone any further. It would have been a Heseltine moment."Afterwards, when his staff told him that his speech was being given six marks out of 10, Mr Miliband replied: "I couldn't have gone any further. It would have been a Heseltine moment."
Mr Miliband, who has gone out of his way to call for Labour to unite behind Mr Brown, was apparently referring to one of the occasions when Michael Heseltine challenged the leadership of Margaret Thatcher.Mr Miliband, who has gone out of his way to call for Labour to unite behind Mr Brown, was apparently referring to one of the occasions when Michael Heseltine challenged the leadership of Margaret Thatcher.
A succession of cabinet ministers and delegates at the conference have called for unity, after a week in which 13 Labour MPs - one of them a minister - called for a leadership contest.A succession of cabinet ministers and delegates at the conference have called for unity, after a week in which 13 Labour MPs - one of them a minister - called for a leadership contest.
Mr Miliband described the BBC story about the overheard conversation as "hearsay" with "absolutely no basis" and he said the BBC "should know better than that".Mr Miliband described the BBC story about the overheard conversation as "hearsay" with "absolutely no basis" and he said the BBC "should know better than that".