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Tories 'still nasty', says Harman | Tories 'still nasty', says Harman |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The Tories remain "the nasty party", Labour's deputy leader has said as she ended her party's annual conference. | The Tories remain "the nasty party", Labour's deputy leader has said as she ended her party's annual conference. |
"I think people want a prime minister who listens and gets on with the job, so they and their families can get on with their lives," Harriet Harman said. | "I think people want a prime minister who listens and gets on with the job, so they and their families can get on with their lives," Harriet Harman said. |
She asked why would anyone want the "weak" David Cameron as prime minister. | She asked why would anyone want the "weak" David Cameron as prime minister. |
And she promised a "clear choice" at the next general election - but did not comment on mounting speculation that a snap poll might be held this autumn. | And she promised a "clear choice" at the next general election - but did not comment on mounting speculation that a snap poll might be held this autumn. |
Mrs Harman said her party wanted "every one" of its councillors and MPs "back after their next elections". | Mrs Harman said her party wanted "every one" of its councillors and MPs "back after their next elections". |
"We are counting on you to see that happens - and they must be joined by more," she told supporters. | "We are counting on you to see that happens - and they must be joined by more," she told supporters. |
'Reach out' | 'Reach out' |
Referring specifically to the Conservatives, Mrs Harman said: "The truth is the Tory party is still the nasty party, and I think David Cameron is too weak to change it." | Referring specifically to the Conservatives, Mrs Harman said: "The truth is the Tory party is still the nasty party, and I think David Cameron is too weak to change it." |
She described Labour's need "to reach out and work with everyone who wants a fair, prosperous and peaceful Britain". | She described Labour's need "to reach out and work with everyone who wants a fair, prosperous and peaceful Britain". |
"We must change the way we do our politics and we are changing the way we govern. That means listening - not lecturing," she added. | "We must change the way we do our politics and we are changing the way we govern. That means listening - not lecturing," she added. |
"When people who have previously voted Tory instead vote Labour, and when people who have previously been members of the Tory party want to join us, that is a great thing - and we warmly welcome them." | "When people who have previously voted Tory instead vote Labour, and when people who have previously been members of the Tory party want to join us, that is a great thing - and we warmly welcome them." |
She said that across Britain there were people "whose hopes for the future depend on a Labour government". | She said that across Britain there were people "whose hopes for the future depend on a Labour government". |
"We will not let them down," she promised. | "We will not let them down," she promised. |
Mrs Harman, the MP for the Camberwell and Peckham constituency in south London, has been Gordon Brown's deputy for three months, with both having taken up their roles in June. | Mrs Harman, the MP for the Camberwell and Peckham constituency in south London, has been Gordon Brown's deputy for three months, with both having taken up their roles in June. |
She was taking over the end-of-conference speech which John Prescott has used for most of the past decade to rally the party faithful. | She was taking over the end-of-conference speech which John Prescott has used for most of the past decade to rally the party faithful. |
The Conservative Party said it would not be commenting on Mrs Harman's remarks. |