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Cameron: It's all about character Cameron preparing or big speech
(39 minutes later)
David Cameron is to tackle head-on Gordon Brown's claim that he lacks the experience to steer Britain through the current economic crisis. David Cameron is preparing to address his party's conference - and take on Labour's claim that now is not the time for a "novice" to lead the country.
In a speech to the Tory conference he will say: "It's not experience we need, it's character and judgement." The Tory leader is expected to say he is ready to make unpopular decisions for the long-term good of the country.
And he will tell the party faithful: "To rebuild our economy, it's not more of the same we need, but change." Tory members are queuing up to enter the hall in Birmingham, after a week which has been overshadowed by global financial turmoil.
Mr Cameron has backed Mr Brown's rescue plan but said that would not stop him from highlighting past mistakes. Mr Cameron is due to begin speaking at about 1445 BST.
Legislation to allow the Bank of England to rescue failing banks could come before the Commons as early as Monday after Mr Cameron promised his party's cooperation in speeding it onto the statute books. He is expected to tackle head-on Gordon Brown's claim that he lacks the experience to steer Britain through the current economic crisis, saying: "It's not experience we need, it's character and judgement."
'Political duty''Political duty'
In an emergency statement on Tuesday, Mr Cameron made a call for political unity, saying British parties should "stick together" and avoid the "political wrangling" seen in the US.In an emergency statement on Tuesday, Mr Cameron made a call for political unity, saying British parties should "stick together" and avoid the "political wrangling" seen in the US.
Shadow chancellor George Osborne travelled back to London for talks with Chancellor Alistair Darling and the Financial Services Authority on cooperation to stabilise the financial markets.
You can't prove you're ready to be prime minister - and it would be arrogant to pretend you can David Cameron Analysis: What Cameron needs to doYou can't prove you're ready to be prime minister - and it would be arrogant to pretend you can David Cameron Analysis: What Cameron needs to do
Mr Cameron is under pressure to demonstrate he is able to cope with crises, after Gordon Brown's well-received speech to Labour's conference last week, in which he said it was "no time for a novice" to take over.Mr Cameron is under pressure to demonstrate he is able to cope with crises, after Gordon Brown's well-received speech to Labour's conference last week, in which he said it was "no time for a novice" to take over.
Tory sources have said he has toned down his planned attack on Mr Brown in light of recent events - but the speech, which is due to begin at about 1450 BST, will be a thorough explanation of how the Tories would get the country through the economic turbulence. Tory sources have said he has toned down his planned attack on Mr Brown in light of recent events - but the speech will be a thorough explanation of how the Tories would get the country through the economic turbulence.
There will be no personal attack on Mr Brown but there is expected to be criticism of decisions he has made - such as not giving the Bank of England responsibility for debt as well as inflation.There will be no personal attack on Mr Brown but there is expected to be criticism of decisions he has made - such as not giving the Bank of England responsibility for debt as well as inflation.
He will also speak about the leadership test posed by the past few days, saying: "You can't prove you're ready to be prime minister - and it would be arrogant to pretend you can.He will also speak about the leadership test posed by the past few days, saying: "You can't prove you're ready to be prime minister - and it would be arrogant to pretend you can.
"The best you can do is tell people who you are and the way you work: how you make decisions and then live with them.""The best you can do is tell people who you are and the way you work: how you make decisions and then live with them."
'Clear choice''Clear choice'
He will repeat his pledge to set aside party differences to work with the government on ensuring short-term financial stability.He will repeat his pledge to set aside party differences to work with the government on ensuring short-term financial stability.
But he will add: "That must not stop us telling the truth about the mistakes that have been made.But he will add: "That must not stop us telling the truth about the mistakes that have been made.
"It is our political duty ... to hold the government to account, to explain where they went wrong and how we would do things differently to rebuild our economy for the long term." FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme"It is our political duty ... to hold the government to account, to explain where they went wrong and how we would do things differently to rebuild our economy for the long term." FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
He will say the British people must be offered a "clear choice".He will say the British people must be offered a "clear choice".
"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."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.
"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."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.
"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 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."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.""Experience is the argument of the incumbent over the ages. Experience is what they always say when they try to stop change."
In a departure from previous years, when he has spoken without notes, he is expected to deliver the hour-long speech from behind a lectern.In a departure from previous years, when he has spoken without notes, he is expected to deliver the hour-long speech from behind a lectern.
The speech has been rewritten as the economic crisis has unfolded.The speech has been rewritten as the economic crisis has unfolded.
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Politicians in all circumstances have to show the leadership and the ability to adapt, and that's what we've done here at the conference in Birmingham this week."Shadow foreign secretary William Hague told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Politicians in all circumstances have to show the leadership and the ability to adapt, and that's what we've done here at the conference in Birmingham this week."