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No time for a novice, says Brown No time for a novice, says Brown
(30 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has put "fairness" at the heart of his vision for Britain in a keynote address to the Labour Party conference in Manchester. Gordon Brown has staked his claim to be the only man to steer Britain through tough economic times saying: "This is no time for a novice."
He said tough times would not prevent Labour fighting for a "fair society" - and he talked up his own experience, saying: "This is no time for a novice." In a speech to Labour's conference, he said the Tories could not be trusted to run the economy and vowed Labour would not stop fighting for a "fair society".
He also pledged to scrap prescription charges for people in England with cancer from next year.He also pledged to scrap prescription charges for people in England with cancer from next year.
In a surprise move, Mr Brown was introduced to delegates by wife Sarah. And in a surprise move, Mr Brown was introduced to delegates by wife Sarah.
In a more personal address than normal, Mr Brown said he had been "stung" by criticism of his decision to scrap the 10p tax rate and vowed he would never again be accused of not being on the side of "hard working families". In a more personal conference address than normal, Mr Brown said he had been "stung" by criticism of his decision to scrap the 10p tax rate and vowed he would never again be accused of not being on the side of "hard working families".
He also took a swipe at politicians who use their families to gain media coverage, saying: "My children aren't props - they're people."He also took a swipe at politicians who use their families to gain media coverage, saying: "My children aren't props - they're people."
WORD CLOUD This word cloud displays words in proportion to their frequencyThe word count is based on the text as prepared for delivery In full: Brown speechWORD CLOUD This word cloud displays words in proportion to their frequencyThe word count is based on the text as prepared for delivery In full: Brown speech
The prime minister was under pressure to reassert his authority over the party and bury talk of a leadership challenge.The prime minister was under pressure to reassert his authority over the party and bury talk of a leadership challenge.
He told Labour rebels it was their "duty" to focus on the challenges facing the country rather than internal party rows.He told Labour rebels it was their "duty" to focus on the challenges facing the country rather than internal party rows.
The theme running through the speech was fairness and he pledged to create "a Britain of fair chances for all and fair rules applied to all".The theme running through the speech was fairness and he pledged to create "a Britain of fair chances for all and fair rules applied to all".
He repeated his plan to extend free nursery places for all two-year-olds over the next 10 years - and he pledged to enshrine in law Labour's promise to end child poverty.He repeated his plan to extend free nursery places for all two-year-olds over the next 10 years - and he pledged to enshrine in law Labour's promise to end child poverty.
He highlighted a £300m plan to offer free computers and internet access for more than a million children from low income families to boost their chances in the jobs market.He highlighted a £300m plan to offer free computers and internet access for more than a million children from low income families to boost their chances in the jobs market.
And he said that in addition to free prescriptions for people with cancer, charges would also be waived for anyone suffering from a long-term illness.And he said that in addition to free prescriptions for people with cancer, charges would also be waived for anyone suffering from a long-term illness.
Mr Brown also hailed Labour's latest crackdowns on benefit cheats and crime.Mr Brown also hailed Labour's latest crackdowns on benefit cheats and crime.
"The dole is only for those looking for work or actively preparing for it. That's only fair to the people pulling their weight."The dole is only for those looking for work or actively preparing for it. That's only fair to the people pulling their weight.
"And let me be clear about the new Labour policy on crime; taking action on the causes of crime will never mean indulging those who perpetrate it. Fairness demands that we both punish and prevent.""And let me be clear about the new Labour policy on crime; taking action on the causes of crime will never mean indulging those who perpetrate it. Fairness demands that we both punish and prevent."
'Tory novices''Tory novices'
He also launched an attack on the Conservatives, saying they could not be trusted to run the economy.He also launched an attack on the Conservatives, saying they could not be trusted to run the economy.
"I am all in favour of apprenticeships, but let me tell you this is no time for a novice," Mr Brown told delegates to loud applause."I am all in favour of apprenticeships, but let me tell you this is no time for a novice," Mr Brown told delegates to loud applause.
My children aren't props; they're people Gordon Brown Conference at-a-glanceSend us your commentsMy children aren't props; they're people Gordon Brown Conference at-a-glanceSend us your comments
The comment was seen as an attack on Tory leader David Cameron - but it was also seen by some pundits as a coded warning to would-be supporters of David Miliband, who has been at the centre of leadership bid speculation.The comment was seen as an attack on Tory leader David Cameron - but it was also seen by some pundits as a coded warning to would-be supporters of David Miliband, who has been at the centre of leadership bid speculation.
This was denied by ministers Jacqui Smith and Geoff Hoon who both blamed the media for stirring up leadership talk and hailed Mr Brown's speech.This was denied by ministers Jacqui Smith and Geoff Hoon who both blamed the media for stirring up leadership talk and hailed Mr Brown's speech.
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".
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".