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Tory conference at-a-glance Tory conference at-a-glance
(about 5 hours later)
THE BIG ISSUE All eyes are on David Cameron who will deliver his keynote speech, which has had to be rewritten as the economic crisis has unfolded. He has to pull off a difficult balancing act. He cannot savage Gordon Brown, having just promised to support him through the global financial crisis, but he has to show why he is the better man to lead the country. Mr Cameron limbered up for the speech with an early morning jog He will say that on the economy, the PM has a lot to answer for - but aides have said part of the attack has been toned down. Expect him to set out what he would do differently and how and to address the charge from Mr Brown that he is a "novice". He will say that doing the difficult things for the long term or just to get through the financial crisis, does not need experience, but character and judgement. The speech is expected to take about 45 minutes to an hour but do not expect a repeat of last year's speech without notes. This one will be delivered in a more traditional fashion, from behind a lectern. On a jog this morning Mr Cameron told the BBC he was happy with the speech and was looking forward to delivering it. THE BIG ISSUE All eyes were on David Cameron as he delivered his keynote speech, which had to be rewritten as the economic crisis unfolded. He had to pull off a difficult balancing act. He could not savage Gordon Brown, having just promised to support him through the global financial crisis, but he had to show why he was the better man to lead the country. Mr Cameron limbered up for the speech with an early morning jog Mr Cameron was highly critical of Labour's handling of the economy and its general tone, describing the government as authoritarian, expensive and interfering. In a sometimes dour address, lasting more than an hour, he presented the Tories as a serious, forward-looking alternative. The audience was appreciative, but Mr Cameron chose not to bask for too long in the applause. Triumphalism is the last thing anyone needs at the moment, the leadership reasons.
GQ's DJ on DC
You'd be forgiven for thinking a GQ front cover with Cameron on meant actress Cameron Diaz, probably in not a lot of clothing, but when editor Dylan Jones put the Conservative leader on the cover of his men's magazine in 2006 he felt justified by the positive reaction he received. So much so he spent a year following Cameron around for his book "Cameron on Cameron". Jones has also produced a short film for the Daily Politics on Cameron's year. Watch it here:
GQ editor Dylan Jones gives his take on Conservative leader David Cameron's year.
WEDNESDAY AT CONFERENCE
0915 Preparing for Government: Oliver Letwin and Francis Maude1000 Local environment: Peter Ainsworth and Eric Pickles1100 International challenges facing Britain: William Hague, Pauline Neville- Jones and Andrew Mitchell1230 Closing remarks: Caroline Spelman1245 Lunch1430 Closing speech: David Cameron
'ARROGANCE' DENIED'ARROGANCE' DENIED
One of David Cameron's senior shadow cabinet strategists, Francis Maude, has rejected criticism that the party is already "arrogantly" making plans to be the next government. Mr Maude said it would be even more presumptuous to "swan into Whitehall and automatically know how to make a difference". He said the party was taking "absolutely nothing for granted". But the tasks ahead were formidable and planning was essential. Mr Maude also said Tony Blair had admitted that when he came to power, he had been so desperate to win the 1997 election, he had given no thought to what came after.One of David Cameron's senior shadow cabinet strategists, Francis Maude, has rejected criticism that the party is already "arrogantly" making plans to be the next government. Mr Maude said it would be even more presumptuous to "swan into Whitehall and automatically know how to make a difference". He said the party was taking "absolutely nothing for granted". But the tasks ahead were formidable and planning was essential. Mr Maude also said Tony Blair had admitted that when he came to power, he had been so desperate to win the 1997 election, he had given no thought to what came after.
IT'S IN THE BAGIT'S IN THE BAG
Conference can take its toll on the sturdiest of hacks, but this must be the first time a party has handed out headache tablets to journalists. The box of 12 Nurofen pills is in a nifty hessian goodie bag given to weary journalists waiting for Mr Cameron's big speech. Other items include a bottle of water, 15 Vitamin C pills, a "Plan for Change" diary, a set of postcards, some sweets and a computer memory stick bearing the legend "To avoid data loss, keep out of reach of Labour". What can it all mean?Conference can take its toll on the sturdiest of hacks, but this must be the first time a party has handed out headache tablets to journalists. The box of 12 Nurofen pills is in a nifty hessian goodie bag given to weary journalists waiting for Mr Cameron's big speech. Other items include a bottle of water, 15 Vitamin C pills, a "Plan for Change" diary, a set of postcards, some sweets and a computer memory stick bearing the legend "To avoid data loss, keep out of reach of Labour". What can it all mean?
THATCHER IS WORKINGTHATCHER IS WORKING
Lady Thatcher signed 65 of the postersShe may no longer appear on the conference stage, but Lady Thatcher is still proving to be a hit on the fringe. Limited edition prints of the Tories' iconic 1979 "Labour isn't working" election poster, signed by the former PM, were doing good business at the Bodleian Library stand - a snip at £495 a go. Those on a more modest budget could buy an unsigned print for £9.99. The cash goes towards the Bodleian's digitisation programme. The Bruges Group is, meanwhile, offering supporters a chance to have dinner in the presence of Lady Thatcher to mark its 20 anniversary - tickets start at £125 a head, although you can sponsor a table for anything up to £10,000.Lady Thatcher signed 65 of the postersShe may no longer appear on the conference stage, but Lady Thatcher is still proving to be a hit on the fringe. Limited edition prints of the Tories' iconic 1979 "Labour isn't working" election poster, signed by the former PM, were doing good business at the Bodleian Library stand - a snip at £495 a go. Those on a more modest budget could buy an unsigned print for £9.99. The cash goes towards the Bodleian's digitisation programme. The Bruges Group is, meanwhile, offering supporters a chance to have dinner in the presence of Lady Thatcher to mark its 20 anniversary - tickets start at £125 a head, although you can sponsor a table for anything up to £10,000.
THIS CHARMING MANTHIS CHARMING MAN
Ben Summerskill raised a laugh at the Stonewall fringe meeting, as he turned on the charm to fellow panellist Margot James. "I'd just like to say how fantastic she is looking today," the gay rights campaigner told the packed room. "Most straight men in the Conservative Party today are frightened to say things like that. They don't know if they might end up in trouble..." .Ben Summerskill raised a laugh at the Stonewall fringe meeting, as he turned on the charm to fellow panellist Margot James. "I'd just like to say how fantastic she is looking today," the gay rights campaigner told the packed room. "Most straight men in the Conservative Party today are frightened to say things like that. They don't know if they might end up in trouble..." .
HOMER'S PHILOSOPHYHOMER'S PHILOSOPHY
Homer Simpson, cartoon patriarch of one of TV's best-loved, if more dysfunctional families, has been credited with inspiring the government's attempts to get more people to vote. Homer is known for his love of doughnuts Shadow communities secretary Eric Pickles told activists the government's answer to getting people to vote was to offer them free doughnuts and to allow councillors to vote "from the comfort of their armchair" to boost numbers. "What is the philosophy currently motivating Gordon Brown and the government in this? Is it Adam Smith? Is it Karl Marx? Well, working without leaving the comfort of your armchair and free doughnuts - isn't it obvious? It's Homer Simpson."Homer Simpson, cartoon patriarch of one of TV's best-loved, if more dysfunctional families, has been credited with inspiring the government's attempts to get more people to vote. Homer is known for his love of doughnuts Shadow communities secretary Eric Pickles told activists the government's answer to getting people to vote was to offer them free doughnuts and to allow councillors to vote "from the comfort of their armchair" to boost numbers. "What is the philosophy currently motivating Gordon Brown and the government in this? Is it Adam Smith? Is it Karl Marx? Well, working without leaving the comfort of your armchair and free doughnuts - isn't it obvious? It's Homer Simpson."
BYE BYE WHEELIES? Him again. Mr Pickles also suggested the Conservatives would reject Labour's "army of bin bullies and bin taxes", reinstate weekly bin collections and make it easier to recycle waste. The "lesser-spotted wheelie bin" faces extinction under Tory plans. Incidentally, this very-watchable Observer video reviews Mr Pickles' year.BYE BYE WHEELIES? Him again. Mr Pickles also suggested the Conservatives would reject Labour's "army of bin bullies and bin taxes", reinstate weekly bin collections and make it easier to recycle waste. The "lesser-spotted wheelie bin" faces extinction under Tory plans. Incidentally, this very-watchable Observer video reviews Mr Pickles' year.
BANANA MANBANANA MAN
David Miliband has been the subject of much mirth and derision this week after he was snapped "wandering around Labour's conference with a banana in his hand", as Andrew Mitchell put it in the hall. The foreign secretary - or a cardboard cut-out of him - has even been put to work at the refreshment stalls in an effort to boost sales of his favourite fruit.David Miliband has been the subject of much mirth and derision this week after he was snapped "wandering around Labour's conference with a banana in his hand", as Andrew Mitchell put it in the hall. The foreign secretary - or a cardboard cut-out of him - has even been put to work at the refreshment stalls in an effort to boost sales of his favourite fruit.
CONFERENCE ROUND-UPCONFERENCE ROUND-UP
All good things have to come to an end - but it ain't over just yet. In anticipation of David Cameron's speech, we have analysed every publicly-available speech he has made since becoming leader. The speech is just one of the events eyes are fixed on as there have been a flurry of announcements all day. Tory "number two" Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague took to the conference stage and said a Tory government would hold a referendum on an EU Treaty. And 'gays have a duty to vote Tory' according to prospective parliamentary candidate Margot James. All good things have to come to an end - but it ain't over just yet. Ahead of David Cameron's speech, we analysed every publicly available speech he has made since becoming leader. Tory "number two" and shadow foreign Secretary William Hague took to the conference stage and said a Tory government would hold a referendum on an EU Treaty. And 'gays have a duty to vote Tory', according to prospective parliamentary candidate Margot James.