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Tories 'have risen to challenge' Cameron to end 'spendaholic' era
(30 minutes later)
David Cameron has said the Tories have proved they can rise to the challenge of what the country demands at a time of financial crisis. David Cameron has vowed to end Labour's "spendaholic culture" in a speech to the Conservative Party conference.
In a keynote speech to the party's conference, he said they had been "measured, proportionate and responsible" in their response. The Tory leader said the country's finances were in a "mess" and he would not shrink from making tough decisions.
Mr Cameron is using the speech to hit back at Labour claims he is a "novice". In a sober and highly personal speech, Mr Cameron set out where he thinks the government have gone wrong on the economy and how he would put it right.
He told the party faithful he is ready to make unpopular decisions for the long-term good of the country. He also tackled head on Labour's claim he is a "novice", saying he had the character and judgement to lead.
He began the speech by saying: "We've had a good conference this week an optimistic conference - but a sober one. He told the party faithful in Birmingham they had had an "optimistic conference - but a sober one".
"We understand the gravity of the situation our country is in and our response is measured, proportionate and responsible. 'Grit and determination'
"The test of political party is whether it can rise to the challenge of what the country requires and what the times demand. I believe we have passed that test this week'" 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.
'Truth about mistakes' He said: "The test of whether we're ready for government is not whether we can come up with exciting shadow budgets.
Mr Cameron is under pressure to demonstrate he is able to cope with crises, after Mr 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. "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.
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. Experience is the argument of the incumbent over the ages. Experience is what they always say when they try to stop change. David Cameron class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/nickrobinson/">Nick Robinson: Cameron's message
That must not stop us telling the truth about the mistakes that have been made David Cameron "That is the responsible party we are and that is the responsible government I will lead."
He will point to decisions he has made as Conservative leader over the last three years and his ability to respond to unexpected events. The Conservatives have previously said they would stick to Labour's spending plans in the early years of an incoming Tory government.
"You can't prove you're ready to be prime minister - and it would be arrogant to pretend you can," Mr Cameron will say. 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.
"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."
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.
"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."
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."
Speech rewritten
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.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."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.""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.
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."