This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7645053.stm

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Cameron preparing for big speech Cameron delivers his big speech
(10 minutes later)
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. David Cameron is delivering a keynote speech to his party's conference in Birmingham - in which he will hit back at Labour's claims he is a "novice".
The Tory leader is expected to say he is ready to make unpopular decisions for the long-term good of the country. Mr Cameron is expected to say he is ready to make unpopular decisions for the long-term good of the country.
Conservative members have packed into the hall in Birmingham, after a week which has been overshadowed by global financial turmoil. He will stress the need for party unity during the current crisis.
Mr Cameron is due to begin speaking at about 1445 BST. He will avoid direct attacks on Gordon Brown but will say that character and judgement are more important than the prime minister's experience.
Asked how he felt, as he and wife Samantha walked from their hotel to the conference centre, he said: "I am always a bit nervous but I am looking forward to it."Asked how he felt, as he and wife Samantha walked from their hotel to the conference centre, he said: "I am always a bit nervous but I am looking forward to it."
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." 'Truth about mistakes'
'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.
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 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 will be a thorough explanation of how the Tories would get the country through the economic turbulence. Speaking from behind a lectern, unlike in previous years when he has roamed the stage without notes, he is trying to project a more heavyweight image.
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. That must not stop us telling the truth about the mistakes that have been made David Cameron
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 point to decisions he has made as Conservative leader over the last three years and his ability to respond to unexpected events.
"You can't prove you're ready to be prime minister - and it would be arrogant to pretend you can," Mr Cameron will say.
"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'
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.
Political duty
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 class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/default.stm">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."
He will say the British people must be offered a "clear choice". There are no big policy announcements in the speech, but he will say the British people must be offered a "clear choice" at the next general election.
Of course David has had to take into account, and so he should, the events in the financial markets George OsborneShadow chancellor
"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."
class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAYCameron needs to be careful in how he refutes the 'novice' charge. Liam, Glasgow class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=5429">Send us your comments Speech rewritten
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. He will end 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."
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." Speaking on BBC Radio 4's The World at One, shadow chancellor George Osborne said: "We have been working on all our speeches during the week - I had to make changes to the speech I gave at the beginning of the conference.
"Of course David has had to take into account, and so he should, the events in the financial markets but the underlying principles of sound money and the judgements that David and I took a couple of years ago, that we would make responsibility in the public finances our number one priority, I think have been vindicated by events."