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Cameron: I am a man with a plan Cameron: I am a man with a plan
(about 1 hour later)
David Cameron has described himself as "a man with a plan" to fix Britain's "broken society" and get the country out of the financial "mess" it is in. David Cameron has described himself as "a man with a plan" to fix Britain's "broken society" and get the country out of the financial mess it is in.
But in a keynote speech to his party conference, the Tory leader warned there would be "no miracle cures".But in a keynote speech to his party conference, the Tory leader warned there would be "no miracle cures".
In a sober speech, Mr Cameron set out where he thinks the government has gone wrong and how he would put it right. He vowed to end Labour's "spendaholic" policies and said he had the "grit" to make unpopular decisions.
He also tackled Labour's claim he is a "novice", saying he had the character and judgement to lead. He also tackled Labour's claim he was a "novice", saying he had the character and judgement to lead.
Unlike in previous years, when he has spoken without notes, Mr Cameron delivered the speech from behind a lectern as he tried to project a more heavyweight image.Unlike in previous years, when he has spoken without notes, Mr Cameron delivered the speech from behind a lectern as he tried to project a more heavyweight image.
'Grit and determination' 'Optimistic'
In an at times highly personal speech, he set out his own core values - family, public service and social responsibility. A Conservative victory at the next general election would not mean an "overnight transformation" for Britain.
The Conservatives would inherit "a huge deficit and an economy in a mess" and would need to do "difficult and unpopular things for the long term good of the country... I'm ready for that", he said.
Mr Cameron is understood to have toned down a planned attack on Gordon Brown to avoid accusations of playing politics at a time of financial crisis.
But he directly took on the prime minister's claim that the current crisis it is "no time for a novice", saying Britain needs "a change in direction".
"To do difficult things for the long term, or even to get us through the financial crisis in the short term - it's not experience we need, it's character and judgement.
"To rebuild our economy, it's not more of the same we need, but change. To repair our broken society, it's not more of the same we need, but change.
"Experience is the argument of the incumbent over the ages. Experience is what they always say when they try to stop change."
But although Britain was going through "difficult times", Mr Cameron said he was "optimistic" the country would come through to "better times ahead".
He told party members: "We are are a united party, united in spirit and united in purpose.He told party members: "We are are a united party, united in spirit and united in purpose.
"And we know that our task is to take people with us, rebuilding our battered economy, renewing our bureaucratised NHS, repairing our broken society."And we know that our task is to take people with us, rebuilding our battered economy, renewing our bureaucratised NHS, repairing our broken society.
WORD CLOUD This word cloud displays words in proportion to their frequencyThe word count is based on the text as prepared for deliveryWORD CLOUD This word cloud displays words in proportion to their frequencyThe word count is based on the text as prepared for delivery
"That is our plan for change. In these difficult times we promise no new dawns, no incredible transformations. I'm a man with a plan, not a miracle cure.""That is our plan for change. In these difficult times we promise no new dawns, no incredible transformations. I'm a man with a plan, not a miracle cure."
He also pledged a crackdown on Labour's "spendaholic culture" - declaring war on quangos and government waste. He also pledged a crackdown on quangos and government waste.
He said: "The test of whether we're ready for government is not whether we can come up with exciting shadow budgets.He said: "The test of whether we're ready for government is not whether we can come up with exciting shadow budgets.
"It is whether we have the grit and determination to impose discipline on government spending, keep our nerve and say "no" - even in the teeth of hostility and protest. "It is whether we have the grit and determination to impose discipline on government spending, keep our nerve and say 'no' - even in the teeth of hostility and protest.
"That is the responsible party we are and that is the responsible government I will lead.""That is the responsible party we are and that is the responsible government I will lead."
Family
The Conservatives have previously said they would stick to Labour's spending plans in the early years of an incoming Tory government.The Conservatives have previously said they would stick to Labour's spending plans in the early years of an incoming Tory government.
But Mr Cameron's words will be seen as a sign that they have been forced to think again in the light of this week's global financial meltdown.But Mr Cameron's words will be seen as a sign that they have been forced to think again in the light of this week's global financial meltdown.
He said: "If we win we will inherit a huge deficit and an economy in a mess. We will need to do difficult and unpopular things for the long term good of the country. I know that. I'm ready for that. It was a highly personal speech at times, with Mr Cameron setting out his core values of family, social responsibility and public service.
"And there is a big argument I want to make - about the financial crisis and the economic downturn, but about the other issues facing the country too. It's an argument about experience. He described himself as a "41-year-old father of three who thinks that family is the most important thing there is", and he referred several times to his wife Samantha and their children.
"To do difficult things for the long term, or even to get us through the financial crisis in the short term, it's not experience we need, it's character and judgement. In a rare joke, he said: "I admire entrepreneurs. I should do - I go to bed with one every night ... she's my wife Samantha and I'm incredibly proud of what she does."
"To rebuild our economy, it's not more of the same we need, but change. To repair our broken society, it's not more of the same we need, but change. He also claimed the Conservatives were now the party of the NHS and the "party of social justice," summing up his philosophy as "progressive ends, Conservative means".
"Experience is the argument of the incumbent over the ages. Experience is what they always say when they try to stop change."
But he also said the Conservatives were now the party of the NHS and the "party of social justice," summing up his philosophy as "progressive ends, Conservative means".
He ended the speech by offering some hope that Britain can come through the economic downturn and that he is the man to lead the country there.
"I believe we now have the opportunity, and more than that the responsibility, to bring our country together. Together in the face of this financial crisis.
"Together in determination that we will come through it. Together in the hope, the belief that better times surely lie ahead."