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| LIVE: Brown's conference speech | LIVE: Brown's conference speech |
| (10 minutes later) | |
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| Full coverage of the Labour Party conference (UK only) | Full coverage of the Labour Party conference (UK only) |
| LIVE TEXT COMMENTARY (all times BST) By Justin Parkinson 1458: The prime minister thanks NHS staff for serving "a great ideal" of free healthcare. That gets the biggest cheer so far. | |
| 1456: He promises to turn Labour's pledge to end child poverty into law. Children will have a "guaranteed right to personal catch-up tuition", he says. | |
| 1454: After that surprising start, involving his wife Sarah on the stage, Mr Brown is settling into more traditional form - listing Labour's achievements. As already widely reported, he pledges to extend nursery places for two-year-olds for "every parent who wants one". That gets some cheers. | |
| 1452: Mr Brown thanks Harriet Harman for her "tireless" work as Labour deputy leader. Close ally Ed Miliband is praised. John Denham, Ruth Kelly and John Hutton are also mentioned. They all get big rounds of applause. | |
| 1451: Fairness is "in our DNA", Mr Brown says. The audience seem to like that. The PM adds that he wants to "unleash" more social mobility. | |
| 1449: Mr Brown lauds the efforts of "one million new businesses" under Labour. He says the minimum wage has changed lives - saying that means, for example, a dad who can afford his child's birthday party. The NHS gets a similarly personal, emotional treatment. That gets a long round of applause. | |
| ben wright1448: From BBC political correspondent Ben Wright - Gordon Brown hasn't talked about Britishness for a while but today the theme is back with him promising that if the right choices are made this could be a "British century". It wasn't clear exactly how. As expected he also tried to harness the current economic turmoil to prove a political point. David Cameron likes to say there is such a thing as society but it's not the same of the state. Brown is asserting that the state does have a role and the last week proved it, saying only Labour can hit back against "unbridled" free market forces. | |
| 1447: Mr Brown says he does not agree there is an "inevitable political cycle" in the UK. The country "needs a Labour government" even more than in 1997, he adds. A party must "reveal its heart". | |
| 1446: From Twitter: "Gordon Brown waving his JK Rowling cheque in our faces - how gauche!" James Graham, Lib Dem supporter | 1446: From Twitter: "Gordon Brown waving his JK Rowling cheque in our faces - how gauche!" James Graham, Lib Dem supporter |
| 1445: Labour will be the "party of law and order", the PM says. It will also deliver "security and dignity for all pensioners". And it will "be the party of the family". | 1445: Labour will be the "party of law and order", the PM says. It will also deliver "security and dignity for all pensioners". And it will "be the party of the family". |
| 1443: Smiling, Mr Brown says British firms and workers "can reap the rewards" of a world economy set to double in size. This will be a "British century". | 1443: Smiling, Mr Brown says British firms and workers "can reap the rewards" of a world economy set to double in size. This will be a "British century". |
| 1442: Mr Brown outlines the government's policies to reduce reliance on oil. He attacks the Conservatives. | 1442: Mr Brown outlines the government's policies to reduce reliance on oil. He attacks the Conservatives. |
| 1441: By e-mail "Crikey I've just switched off. Every dour cliche is being greeted with bursts of sycophantic applause. At this rate his speech will last till next election day - presumably so other contenders wont get a look in. This should be on the Fantasy Channel" Henry | 1441: By e-mail "Crikey I've just switched off. Every dour cliche is being greeted with bursts of sycophantic applause. At this rate his speech will last till next election day - presumably so other contenders wont get a look in. This should be on the Fantasy Channel" Henry |
| 1441: The audience enjoys Mr Brown saying no member of a bank's board should be able to argue they "did not understand the risk" when things go wrong. | 1441: The audience enjoys Mr Brown saying no member of a bank's board should be able to argue they "did not understand the risk" when things go wrong. |
| 1439: Neither markets nor governments can do everything, he adds. There should be a "commitment to fairness and to business". It is time to "rebuild the world financial system and around clear principles", Mr Brown argues. | 1439: Neither markets nor governments can do everything, he adds. There should be a "commitment to fairness and to business". It is time to "rebuild the world financial system and around clear principles", Mr Brown argues. |
| 1438: The current problems are a "defining moment" for New Labour, Mr Brown says, mentioning predecessor Tony Blair. Market turbulence shows the need for a "new settlement", rewarding "hard work, effort and enterprise". | 1438: The current problems are a "defining moment" for New Labour, Mr Brown says, mentioning predecessor Tony Blair. Market turbulence shows the need for a "new settlement", rewarding "hard work, effort and enterprise". |
| ben wright1438: From BBC political correspondent Ben Wright - The PM went in hard on David Cameron. The message: I'm not like him, I'm like you. Brown said he didn't go to London to join the establishment and his parents struggled to juggle their bills. And he slammed Cameron's kitchen photo-ops with his children. He said his children "aren't props, they're people". This is Brown refusing to play the game on David Cameron's terms. Smarter strategy than dressing up Labour activists in top hats anyway. | ben wright1438: From BBC political correspondent Ben Wright - The PM went in hard on David Cameron. The message: I'm not like him, I'm like you. Brown said he didn't go to London to join the establishment and his parents struggled to juggle their bills. And he slammed Cameron's kitchen photo-ops with his children. He said his children "aren't props, they're people". This is Brown refusing to play the game on David Cameron's terms. Smarter strategy than dressing up Labour activists in top hats anyway. |
| 1435: Labour is "on the side" of middle and low earners, the PM says. The "mission of the hour" is extending opportunities. | 1435: Labour is "on the side" of middle and low earners, the PM says. The "mission of the hour" is extending opportunities. |
| 1434: By e-mail: If he commits to borrowing in order to fund more public spending during an economic crisis and a forthcoming recession then his credibility will be shot. He built his fiscal reputation on prudence and being able to afford what we spend and whilst it has since been shown that his economic miracle was nothing more than a global credit bubble, his reputation for prudence is currently still just about hanging on. Today, he might blow this too. Darren, UK | 1434: By e-mail: If he commits to borrowing in order to fund more public spending during an economic crisis and a forthcoming recession then his credibility will be shot. He built his fiscal reputation on prudence and being able to afford what we spend and whilst it has since been shown that his economic miracle was nothing more than a global credit bubble, his reputation for prudence is currently still just about hanging on. Today, he might blow this too. Darren, UK |
| 1432: Mr Brown says his children "aren't props; they're people", which is a dig at David Cameron. The 10p tax episode had shocked him, he adds, saying his "unwavering focus" was on taking the UK through the economic crisis. | 1432: Mr Brown says his children "aren't props; they're people", which is a dig at David Cameron. The 10p tax episode had shocked him, he adds, saying his "unwavering focus" was on taking the UK through the economic crisis. |
| 1431:Mr Brown says he wants to "change" the establishment. The PM adds he is "serious about doing a serious job" for the country. He talks about his upbringing and says every child should go to a good school. | 1431:Mr Brown says he wants to "change" the establishment. The PM adds he is "serious about doing a serious job" for the country. He talks about his upbringing and says every child should go to a good school. |
| 1429: Mr Brown says he wants to "answer your questions directly" and "build a new settlement for new times, a fair Britain for a new age". The PM says he did not come into politics to "be popular" - and jokes that that's probably a good thing. | 1429: Mr Brown says he wants to "answer your questions directly" and "build a new settlement for new times, a fair Britain for a new age". The PM says he did not come into politics to "be popular" - and jokes that that's probably a good thing. |
| 1428: Mr Brown gets things under way. "Thank goodness Sarah and I are a team," he says. "I'm very proud to be her husband." He then goes on to say his speech is about "who I am". | 1428: Mr Brown gets things under way. "Thank goodness Sarah and I are a team," he says. "I'm very proud to be her husband." He then goes on to say his speech is about "who I am". |
| 1425: Mrs Brown is speaking again. She introduces him. Cue Stevie Wonder on the PA system. Everyone is on their feet. | 1425: Mrs Brown is speaking again. She introduces him. Cue Stevie Wonder on the PA system. Everyone is on their feet. |
| 1424: Nick Robinson says Mrs Brown's address shows the PM has "listened to some of the criticisms" of his style. "There's nothing like a surprise," he adds. Mrs Brown is still at the podium. Will she introduce her husband as well as the video? | 1424: Nick Robinson says Mrs Brown's address shows the PM has "listened to some of the criticisms" of his style. "There's nothing like a surprise," he adds. Mrs Brown is still at the podium. Will she introduce her husband as well as the video? |
| 1423: Mrs Brown says she is "proud" of her husband. This sort of thing normally happens at US party conventions. No-one here can remember this happening at a British party conference. Now it is time for the video itself. | 1423: Mrs Brown says she is "proud" of her husband. This sort of thing normally happens at US party conventions. No-one here can remember this happening at a British party conference. Now it is time for the video itself. |
| 1422: Sarah Brown is getting a warm round of applause. She tells the audience she "asked" to speak. | 1422: Sarah Brown is getting a warm round of applause. She tells the audience she "asked" to speak. |
| 1421: It's almost time for the pre-speech video. Sarah Brown is in the hall. At the lectern. What's going on? It looks like she is about to address the Labour conference. | 1421: It's almost time for the pre-speech video. Sarah Brown is in the hall. At the lectern. What's going on? It looks like she is about to address the Labour conference. |
| 1418: In true modern fashion, a group of people has assembled at the back of the stage, to provide a "diverse" background for Mr Brown. By the way, the PM is planning to speak from a lectern, using an autocue, rather than parade around Cameron/Clegg-style. | 1418: In true modern fashion, a group of people has assembled at the back of the stage, to provide a "diverse" background for Mr Brown. By the way, the PM is planning to speak from a lectern, using an autocue, rather than parade around Cameron/Clegg-style. |
| 1416: Tony Blair's former spokesman, Alastair Campbell, asks for a "serious speech". He says the current economic problems should not be "all about a blame game". | 1416: Tony Blair's former spokesman, Alastair Campbell, asks for a "serious speech". He says the current economic problems should not be "all about a blame game". |
| 1414: BBC political editor Nick Robinson says Mr Brown is expected to "get personal" in his speech. He will attempt to overturn "negatives", such as being too serious, and try to turn them into "assets". | 1414: BBC political editor Nick Robinson says Mr Brown is expected to "get personal" in his speech. He will attempt to overturn "negatives", such as being too serious, and try to turn them into "assets". |
| 1411: On the BBC's Daily Politics, former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith accuses Mr Brown of "indecision". Meanwhile in the conference hall the cabinet is out in force now. | 1411: On the BBC's Daily Politics, former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith accuses Mr Brown of "indecision". Meanwhile in the conference hall the cabinet is out in force now. |
| 1410: Gordon Brown and wife Sarah have left their hotel, en route to the conference hall. | 1410: Gordon Brown and wife Sarah have left their hotel, en route to the conference hall. |
| 1409: There are very few seats left in the conference hall now. Is it coincidence or a cruel joke that the PA system is playing the hit song Sit Down, by James? | 1409: There are very few seats left in the conference hall now. Is it coincidence or a cruel joke that the PA system is playing the hit song Sit Down, by James? |
| 1408: Mr Brown's big moment approaches, with some doubt about the exact start time. Speaking on BBC Two's The Daily Politics, former Labour deputy leader Lord Hattersley urges the party to "attack our opponents" and implores the PM to "lead the fight" against David Cameron's Conservatives. | 1408: Mr Brown's big moment approaches, with some doubt about the exact start time. Speaking on BBC Two's The Daily Politics, former Labour deputy leader Lord Hattersley urges the party to "attack our opponents" and implores the PM to "lead the fight" against David Cameron's Conservatives. |
| 1405: Welcome to our live coverage of Gordon Brown's big speech to the Labour Party conference. I'll be keeping you in touch with all the news and views during the build-up - and I'll bring you all the key parts of the Brown speech as well as reaction from BBC experts, pundits and the blogosphere. | 1405: Welcome to our live coverage of Gordon Brown's big speech to the Labour Party conference. I'll be keeping you in touch with all the news and views during the build-up - and I'll bring you all the key parts of the Brown speech as well as reaction from BBC experts, pundits and the blogosphere. |