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| Labour conference: At-a-glance | Labour conference: At-a-glance |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| QUOTE OF THE DAY | QUOTE OF THE DAY |
| I couldn't have gone any further. It would have been a Heseltine moment.David Miliband, overheard by BBC reporter in a lift on Monday evening.I do not accept any of the allegations that are being put around and this hearsay that the BBC is repeating with absolutely no basis... it is something that they should know better than.David Miliband's response on Tuesday to his reported comments. Miliband 'fears Heseltine moment' | I couldn't have gone any further. It would have been a Heseltine moment.David Miliband, overheard by BBC reporter in a lift on Monday evening.I do not accept any of the allegations that are being put around and this hearsay that the BBC is repeating with absolutely no basis... it is something that they should know better than.David Miliband's response on Tuesday to his reported comments. Miliband 'fears Heseltine moment' |
| TUESDAY'S BIG ISSUE | TUESDAY'S BIG ISSUE |
| The media often hype up such events, but perhaps Gordon Brown really has to make the "speech of his life" this time. Much has been made this week of the prime minister's experience at dealing with the economy, as the effects of the credit crunch hit home. On top of this "continuity" argument, he will tell Labour members in Manchester he wants "a Britain of fair chances for all and fair rules applied to all". Mr Brown is also expected to admit mistakes over the abolition of the 10p income tax rate, although aides say he will not be apologetic about his public image. Observers see a danger that, whatever the prime minister says, his speech could be overshadowed by speculation over a possible leadership challenge by Foreign Secretary David Miliband. In his conference appearances as chancellor, Mr Brown was capable of some barnstorming rhetoric which enthused the party. That was in the relatively good times for Labour. His task now is far greater. Some might characterise it as a speech "for his life". There will also be addresses by Culture Secretary Andy Burnham and Communities Secretary Hazel Blears. | The media often hype up such events, but perhaps Gordon Brown really has to make the "speech of his life" this time. Much has been made this week of the prime minister's experience at dealing with the economy, as the effects of the credit crunch hit home. On top of this "continuity" argument, he will tell Labour members in Manchester he wants "a Britain of fair chances for all and fair rules applied to all". Mr Brown is also expected to admit mistakes over the abolition of the 10p income tax rate, although aides say he will not be apologetic about his public image. Observers see a danger that, whatever the prime minister says, his speech could be overshadowed by speculation over a possible leadership challenge by Foreign Secretary David Miliband. In his conference appearances as chancellor, Mr Brown was capable of some barnstorming rhetoric which enthused the party. That was in the relatively good times for Labour. His task now is far greater. Some might characterise it as a speech "for his life". There will also be addresses by Culture Secretary Andy Burnham and Communities Secretary Hazel Blears. |
| CONTENDER READY? | CONTENDER READY? |
| David Miliband has not been accused of installing phone lines just yet - as Michael Portillo famously did for his 1995 leadership bid that never was - but whispers have emerged of a fundraising operation. David 'Not Heseltine' Miliband told reporters: "Of course I have not started raising money for a leadership campaign." But is anyone else doing so on his behalf? Jackie Ashley writes from the conference floor that "strangely well-suited gents who earn big money by day and still help fund Labour by night" are being asked, "by 'them' - to fund 'David's campaign'". The Guardian columnist suggests any opponent of David's would have union funding, hence the foreign secretary's rush. | David Miliband has not been accused of installing phone lines just yet - as Michael Portillo famously did for his 1995 leadership bid that never was - but whispers have emerged of a fundraising operation. David 'Not Heseltine' Miliband told reporters: "Of course I have not started raising money for a leadership campaign." But is anyone else doing so on his behalf? Jackie Ashley writes from the conference floor that "strangely well-suited gents who earn big money by day and still help fund Labour by night" are being asked, "by 'them' - to fund 'David's campaign'". The Guardian columnist suggests any opponent of David's would have union funding, hence the foreign secretary's rush. |
| THE TREV AND KEV SHOW | THE TREV AND KEV SHOW |
| Andrew Neil talks to Kevin Maguire of The Mirror and Trevor Kavanagh of The Sun | Andrew Neil talks to Kevin Maguire of The Mirror and Trevor Kavanagh of The Sun |
| THE GREAT AND THE NOT-SO-GOOD | THE GREAT AND THE NOT-SO-GOOD |
| Daily Politics guide to great conference speeches - and tips from actor Brian Cox | Daily Politics guide to great conference speeches - and tips from actor Brian Cox |
| KINNOCK'S FAVOURITE SPEECHES | KINNOCK'S FAVOURITE SPEECHES |
| FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock has picked the most passionate Labour conference speeches, ahead of Gordon Brown's speech-of-his-life. Gordon could produce "an indulgence in sadomasachism" by following Denis Healey's example, he could try and re-create Harold Wilson's knack of "defining the age" or simply compete with Nye Bevan to become "the greatest platform orator of modern democratic politics". | FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock has picked the most passionate Labour conference speeches, ahead of Gordon Brown's speech-of-his-life. Gordon could produce "an indulgence in sadomasachism" by following Denis Healey's example, he could try and re-create Harold Wilson's knack of "defining the age" or simply compete with Nye Bevan to become "the greatest platform orator of modern democratic politics". |
| IDENTITY CRISIS | IDENTITY CRISIS |
| Anti ID card campaigner Phil Booth failed to make to a fringe meeting earlier - because he could not get an ID card. Mr Booth had been relishing the prospect of debating the government's controversial ID scheme with Home Office minister Meg Hillier. | Anti ID card campaigner Phil Booth failed to make to a fringe meeting earlier - because he could not get an ID card. Mr Booth had been relishing the prospect of debating the government's controversial ID scheme with Home Office minister Meg Hillier. |
| But when he turned up at Labour's pass office in Manchester he was told there had been a problem with his application - and it would cost him £600 for a temporary pass to enter the conference for an hour - far too pricey for an organisation which relies on voluntary donations. | But when he turned up at Labour's pass office in Manchester he was told there had been a problem with his application - and it would cost him £600 for a temporary pass to enter the conference for an hour - far too pricey for an organisation which relies on voluntary donations. |
| "I am not so paranoid to think it was directed at me personally," said the fuming campaigner when we caught up with him later by phone. | "I am not so paranoid to think it was directed at me personally," said the fuming campaigner when we caught up with him later by phone. |
| "But if this is how they are organising the ID for their own party conference, how the heck are they going to organise ID cards for 50 million people?". | "But if this is how they are organising the ID for their own party conference, how the heck are they going to organise ID cards for 50 million people?". |
| Mr Booth's speech was read out by someone from the meeting's organisers "No ID, No sale".Younger teens 'to get id cards' | Mr Booth's speech was read out by someone from the meeting's organisers "No ID, No sale".Younger teens 'to get id cards' |
| NEWSPAPER AND WEB SNIPPETS | NEWSPAPER AND WEB SNIPPETS |
| Ed Balls has been compared to David Beckham by the Daily Mail - which has kindly covered every angle of this unofficial pre-match photo shoot. Balls scored twice when Labour MPs beat lobby journalists 5-2 in their annual conference charity clash. | Ed Balls has been compared to David Beckham by the Daily Mail - which has kindly covered every angle of this unofficial pre-match photo shoot. Balls scored twice when Labour MPs beat lobby journalists 5-2 in their annual conference charity clash. |
| One unlikely cheerleader for any Balls campaign has emerged. A Liberal Democrat activists site has launched a vote to see beyond "partisan calculations" to help find the most effective "next leader" of the Labour party. Does not look entirely non-partisan however. | One unlikely cheerleader for any Balls campaign has emerged. A Liberal Democrat activists site has launched a vote to see beyond "partisan calculations" to help find the most effective "next leader" of the Labour party. Does not look entirely non-partisan however. |
| David Miliband (who you may have spotted in many newspapers and magazines over the last few days) is of course not a leadership contender, but there has been an early peek into his thoughts to be fleshed out in an article to be published in Progress magazine this Thursday (when Gordon Brown will be in New York). Highlights appeared in the Observer. The Evening Standard meanwhile reports that it has a leaked list of a possible Miliband Cabinet. No room for Douglas Alexander in it though. And who is the person thought best to deal with the credit crunch at the Treasury? John Hutton. | David Miliband (who you may have spotted in many newspapers and magazines over the last few days) is of course not a leadership contender, but there has been an early peek into his thoughts to be fleshed out in an article to be published in Progress magazine this Thursday (when Gordon Brown will be in New York). Highlights appeared in the Observer. The Evening Standard meanwhile reports that it has a leaked list of a possible Miliband Cabinet. No room for Douglas Alexander in it though. And who is the person thought best to deal with the credit crunch at the Treasury? John Hutton. |
| ANSWERS, ANSWERS | ANSWERS, ANSWERS |
| Just before the list emerged, however, Business Secretary John Hutton managed to upset one labour loyalist. A Labour grassroots website reports the resignation of one party member who was listening to the World at One and thought a "blinkered Conservative" was on the airwaves dismissing conference's call for renationalisation - only to discover it was the Labour MP himself. | Just before the list emerged, however, Business Secretary John Hutton managed to upset one labour loyalist. A Labour grassroots website reports the resignation of one party member who was listening to the World at One and thought a "blinkered Conservative" was on the airwaves dismissing conference's call for renationalisation - only to discover it was the Labour MP himself. |
| Another possible leadership contender in the Cabinet James Purnell (Miliband's fantasy foreign secretary in the Evening Standard list) faced questions from Andrew Neil. He refused to speculate on the likelihood of a recession but had lots to say on the future of Gordon Brown. | Another possible leadership contender in the Cabinet James Purnell (Miliband's fantasy foreign secretary in the Evening Standard list) faced questions from Andrew Neil. He refused to speculate on the likelihood of a recession but had lots to say on the future of Gordon Brown. |
| Purnell defends Labour on economy | Purnell defends Labour on economy |
| Could John Reid be thinking of running for leader of the Labour Party should the position become available? According to the Daily Mail's Benedict Brogan, the Tories own focus groups data suggested they feared Labour led by John Reid most. | Could John Reid be thinking of running for leader of the Labour Party should the position become available? According to the Daily Mail's Benedict Brogan, the Tories own focus groups data suggested they feared Labour led by John Reid most. |
| Other Andrew Neil interviews: | |
| Treasury minister Angela Eagle | |
| Union boss Derek Simpson | |
| Culture secretary Andy Burnham | |
| Former press chief Alastair Campbell | |
| GORDON BROWN STRATEGY | GORDON BROWN STRATEGY |
| More on Deborah Mattinson's advice for current leader Gordon Brown. The Times' Sam Coates was at a fringe meeting with the pollster and heard highlights from her strategy presentation including the need to have a "proper fight" come an election and to continue to depict David Cameron as a "shallow salesman" in charge of the "nasty party". | More on Deborah Mattinson's advice for current leader Gordon Brown. The Times' Sam Coates was at a fringe meeting with the pollster and heard highlights from her strategy presentation including the need to have a "proper fight" come an election and to continue to depict David Cameron as a "shallow salesman" in charge of the "nasty party". |
| One person who is "exhausted trying to fathom the new Brown" however is the BBC's Robert Peston who has blogged his analysis of when Gordon Brown defended his economic record to Andrew Marr. The former Brown biographer is pretty brutal. | One person who is "exhausted trying to fathom the new Brown" however is the BBC's Robert Peston who has blogged his analysis of when Gordon Brown defended his economic record to Andrew Marr. The former Brown biographer is pretty brutal. |
| Some free advice for Gordon Brown from political commentator Jonathan Freedland and former strategist Matthew Taylor ahead of his big speech on Tuesday. The speech should be memorable, full of concrete measures and needs to pacify anyone angry with "big business" while offering a remedy for the country. | Some free advice for Gordon Brown from political commentator Jonathan Freedland and former strategist Matthew Taylor ahead of his big speech on Tuesday. The speech should be memorable, full of concrete measures and needs to pacify anyone angry with "big business" while offering a remedy for the country. |
| The speech will be a big test for new speechwriter Tim Kiddell as the Evening Standard reports - although apparently Stephen Carter and Alastair Campbell will be on hand to offer advice. No such advice from the Daily Mirror's Kevin Maguire however who had to repeatedly avoid answering Andrew Neil's questions on the Daily Politics as to whether he was offered a job by Brown or would take one. Maguire said an "ill disciplined hack addicted to mischief is the last thing (Gordon Brown) needs at the moment". | The speech will be a big test for new speechwriter Tim Kiddell as the Evening Standard reports - although apparently Stephen Carter and Alastair Campbell will be on hand to offer advice. No such advice from the Daily Mirror's Kevin Maguire however who had to repeatedly avoid answering Andrew Neil's questions on the Daily Politics as to whether he was offered a job by Brown or would take one. Maguire said an "ill disciplined hack addicted to mischief is the last thing (Gordon Brown) needs at the moment". |
| NELSON 'BEATEN' BY JOHN PRESCOTT After sparring with former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott on the BBC Politics Show which broadcast live from Manchester, Spectator and News of the World columnist Fraser Nelson declared himself the loser in this tussle: | NELSON 'BEATEN' BY JOHN PRESCOTT After sparring with former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott on the BBC Politics Show which broadcast live from Manchester, Spectator and News of the World columnist Fraser Nelson declared himself the loser in this tussle: |
| Prescott vs Fraser: 31 mins and 30 secs in | Prescott vs Fraser: 31 mins and 30 secs in |
| Perhaps he understood how Charles Clarke felt here: | Perhaps he understood how Charles Clarke felt here: |
| John Prescott calls Charles Clarke 'bitter' | John Prescott calls Charles Clarke 'bitter' |
| But Nelson's point that the level of national debt rose above the level Gordon Brown inherited as Chancellor is one the Conservatives look keen to continue. Perhaps there may be a Prescott vs Nelson round two? | But Nelson's point that the level of national debt rose above the level Gordon Brown inherited as Chancellor is one the Conservatives look keen to continue. Perhaps there may be a Prescott vs Nelson round two? |
| NICK CLEGG ON THE DAILY SHOW | NICK CLEGG ON THE DAILY SHOW |
| Not exactly relating to this week's conference but some breaking Liberal Democrats news - well, it has got their online activists excited at least. While all eyes were on Tony Blair's appearance on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart the Liberal Democrats leader Nick Clegg featured in the build-up to Blair's appearance as part of host Jon Stewart's crash course in British politics from his British foil, John Oliver. It involved examining the "jokes" in Nick Clegg's conference speech. Stewart was not amused. | Not exactly relating to this week's conference but some breaking Liberal Democrats news - well, it has got their online activists excited at least. While all eyes were on Tony Blair's appearance on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart the Liberal Democrats leader Nick Clegg featured in the build-up to Blair's appearance as part of host Jon Stewart's crash course in British politics from his British foil, John Oliver. It involved examining the "jokes" in Nick Clegg's conference speech. Stewart was not amused. |
| ROUND-UP | ROUND-UP |
| Darling pledges action on economy: The chancellor promises action on weaknesses in the financial system in his speech to the Labour Party conference. Chancellor Darling pledges economy action | Darling pledges action on economy: The chancellor promises action on weaknesses in the financial system in his speech to the Labour Party conference. Chancellor Darling pledges economy action |
| Miliband urging Labour optimism: David Miliband urges Labour to be optimistic about its prospects, saying "these Tories are beatable" in the next election.Mililband rallies party 'doubters' | Miliband urging Labour optimism: David Miliband urges Labour to be optimistic about its prospects, saying "these Tories are beatable" in the next election.Mililband rallies party 'doubters' |
| Labour pressed over windfall tax: Union leaders and Labour MPs call for a windfall tax on energy companies at the party's conference. Pressure stepped up on windfall tax | Labour pressed over windfall tax: Union leaders and Labour MPs call for a windfall tax on energy companies at the party's conference. Pressure stepped up on windfall tax |
| Energy security 'vital' - Hutton: Guaranteeing the security of energy supplies has become a "defining" issue for the country, John Hutton has told the Labour Party conference. John Hutton backs coal and nuclear | Energy security 'vital' - Hutton: Guaranteeing the security of energy supplies has become a "defining" issue for the country, John Hutton has told the Labour Party conference. John Hutton backs coal and nuclear |