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Brown sets out plans for Britain I will not let you down - Brown
(40 minutes later)
Gordon Brown is setting out his plans for a "fairer, stronger" Britain in his first speech to the Labour Party's annual conference as leader. Gordon Brown has used his first Labour Party conference speech as leader to promise: "I will not let you down."
The prime minister said he wanted to help everyone reach their potential. The prime minister said he was a "conviction politician" who wanted to "defend and extend" British values and help everyone reach their potential.
But the first day of the conference and the build up to his speech have been dominated by continued speculation over whether he will call a snap election. The build up to his speech was dominated by continued speculation over whether he will call a snap election.
Mr Brown has so far refused to rule out an autumn poll, saying that he was "getting on with the job". Mr Brown, who did not mention any election in his speech, has so far refused to rule out an autumn poll.
In a BBC interview ahead of his speech he said he was implementing Labour's manifesto from 2005, adding: "Do I need to call an election to do so? No." my answer to crime and disorder - our policy - is to both punish and prevent Gordon Brown class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7009707.stm">At-a-glance: Conference
In a BBC interview ahead of his speech he said he was "getting on with the job" of implementing Labour's manifesto from 2005, adding: "Do I need to call an election to do so? No."
Mr Brown began his speech by talking about some of the challenges he has faced since coming to power, from the failed terror attacks in London and Glasgow to foot-and-mouth.Mr Brown began his speech by talking about some of the challenges he has faced since coming to power, from the failed terror attacks in London and Glasgow to foot-and-mouth.
"Britain has been tested and not found wanting. This is who we are," said Mr Brown, who had received a standing ovation as he arrived in the hall."Britain has been tested and not found wanting. This is who we are," said Mr Brown, who had received a standing ovation as he arrived in the hall.
He said he was a "conviction politician" who stood for a "Britain where we all have obligations to each other and by fulfilling them, everyone has a chance to make the most of themselves". British jobs
Licensing laws Mr Brown said he was a "conviction politician" who stood for a "Britain where we all have obligations to each other and by fulfilling them, everyone has a chance to make the most of themselves".
He praised the strength and stability of the British economy, which he said helped it weather a "recent wave of financial turbulence" - his only reference to the Northern Rock banking crisis.
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He pledged to push for full employment and repeated his promise to create "British jobs for British workers".
On housing, which Mr Brown has said is a top priority, he said he wanted two million more home owners by 2010, compared to 1997.
He said the government would build ten new "eco-towns" - double the original number announced earlier this year.
Treated with respect
On law and order, Mr Brown said "my answer to crime and disorder - our policy - is to both punish and prevent".
He announced an extension of stop and search and dispersal powers to tackle the rise in gun crime.
"To punish the evil of drug pushers who poison our children: I want the tough new powers that have already closed over one thousand crack houses in some areas of the country to be used in all areas of the country," Mr Brown told Labour delegates.
He said he would be concentrating on improving the National Health Service, "responding to the aspirations of the British people", developing world class schools and creating more jobs in the future.He said he would be concentrating on improving the National Health Service, "responding to the aspirations of the British people", developing world class schools and creating more jobs in the future.
He also said public services had to be more personalised, saying people needed to be treated "not as a number, but with respect".He also said public services had to be more personalised, saying people needed to be treated "not as a number, but with respect".
I think, over the summer, when we've been tested on terrorism, when we've been tested with floods...I've tried to show that we are equal to every challenge that arises Gordon Brown class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7009707.stm">At-a-glance: Conference He unveiled his plans to cut cancer waiting and screening times and to increase the numbers of matrons.
Mr Brown who became prime minister by succeeding Tony Blair as Labour leader, said snap election talk was just "inner speculation" by a small group of people "who are interested in politics". He also confirmed plans for a deep-clean of hospitals over Christmas and the New Year in the fight against the MRSA bug.
He said his policy plans included reviewing some past Labour ones - like those on cannabis and 24-hour licensing - if he felt they needed reform. Mr Brown who became prime minister by succeeding Tony Blair as Labour leader, had earlier said his policy plans included reviewing some past Labour ones - like those on cannabis and 24-hour licensing - if he felt they needed reform.
On binge drinking, particularly among teenagers, he said it was important not to send out the wrong message.On binge drinking, particularly among teenagers, he said it was important not to send out the wrong message.
Stop and search
He will use his speech to back the use of stop and search powers in areas hit by gun crime.
Senior officers in ten existing street crime hotspots will be able to sweep areas in a bid to crack down on violent crime.
To set ambitious long-term goals and then stay the course to meet the challenges of the decade ahead Gordon Brown
Mr Brown told the BBC: "I think anybody who knows that a few people with guns can disrupt a whole area will want the police to use these powers."
The move, which Mr Brown recognises may be controversial and revive memories of the old "sus" laws, will be part of a package of measures under the slogan "punish and prevent" which will also include plans to cut police paper work.
On health, the prime minister will unveil his plans to cut cancer waiting and screening times and to increase the numbers of matrons.
He will also confirm plans for a deep-clean of hospitals over Christmas and the New Year in the fight against the MRSA bug, increasing opportunity in education, and lifting families out of poverty.
Opinion pollsOpinion polls
He will tell the Bournemouth conference that, while great advances were made under Tony Blair, change is required to meet new challenges. He told the Bournemouth conference that, while great advances were made under Tony Blair - to whom he paid tribute along with Neil Kinnock - change was required to meet new challenges.
It's clear that many senior figures think that Gordon should go for it BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full It's clear that many senior figures think that Gordon should go for it BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full
He is expected to echo the words he used in a letter to the party's ruling executive, that called on the conference "to set ambitious long-term goals and then stay the course to meet the challenges of the decade ahead". He had earlier said, in a letter to the party's ruling executive, that he wanted Labour to set ambitious long-term goals and then stay the course to meet the challenges of the decade ahead".
Much of the speculation about an early poll - Mr Brown can wait until May 2010 if he wants before holding an election - has been prompted by recent opinion polls giving Labour a lead.Much of the speculation about an early poll - Mr Brown can wait until May 2010 if he wants before holding an election - has been prompted by recent opinion polls giving Labour a lead.
And on the first day of the Bournemouth conference a poll in the Sun suggests the Tories are eight points behind Labour.And on the first day of the Bournemouth conference a poll in the Sun suggests the Tories are eight points behind Labour.
The Ipsos-Mori poll of 1,009 adults put Labour on 42%; its lead increased from 5% in a similar poll a month ago.The Ipsos-Mori poll of 1,009 adults put Labour on 42%; its lead increased from 5% in a similar poll a month ago.
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The poll, carried out by Ipsos-Mori on September 20-22, suggested 34% of those questioned favoured the Conservatives, with 14% for the Lib Dems.The poll, carried out by Ipsos-Mori on September 20-22, suggested 34% of those questioned favoured the Conservatives, with 14% for the Lib Dems.
The party is also advertising for 22 jobs - including graphic designers, policy and research officers, campaign assistants and press officers, suggesting it is gearing up for an election campaign.The party is also advertising for 22 jobs - including graphic designers, policy and research officers, campaign assistants and press officers, suggesting it is gearing up for an election campaign.
Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell urged Mr Brown to "stop dithering" and call an election.Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell urged Mr Brown to "stop dithering" and call an election.