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PM arrives at Labour conference PM cheered at conference arrival
(27 minutes later)
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has arrived in Brighton for Labour's last party conference before the general election. Gordon Brown was greeted by cheering Labour activists as he arrived in Brighton for the party's last conference before the general election.
BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said Mr Brown still had to convince some delegates that he was the right man to lead Labour into the poll. BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said the prime minister still had to convince some delegates that he was the right man to lead Labour into the poll.
Schools Secretary Ed Balls insisted the prime minister's "authentic" approach would find favour with voters.Schools Secretary Ed Balls insisted the prime minister's "authentic" approach would find favour with voters.
But ex-deputy PM John Prescott has accused Labour MPs of defeatism and warned: "We are drifting." But ex-deputy PM John Prescott has accused Labour MPs of defeatism.
Accompanied by wife Sarah, a beaming Mr Brown shook hands with his deputy, Harriet Harman, and Labour General Secretary Ray Collins as he arrived at his hotel in Brighton.
The prime minister said nothing to reporters waiting in the warm September sunshine.
Senior Labour figures have also indicated that the prime minister may hold a television debate with opposition leaders during the general election campaign - a move which Conservative leader David Cameron said he would welcome.Senior Labour figures have also indicated that the prime minister may hold a television debate with opposition leaders during the general election campaign - a move which Conservative leader David Cameron said he would welcome.
'Defeatist thinking''Defeatist thinking'
Mr Brown is expected to unveil in his speech on Tuesday a promise that patients in England will get key cancer tests within two weeks of seeing their GP.Mr Brown is expected to unveil in his speech on Tuesday a promise that patients in England will get key cancer tests within two weeks of seeing their GP.
His aides say he will pledge that GPs in England will get speedier access to diagnostic tests to help spot less clear-cut cancer cases.His aides say he will pledge that GPs in England will get speedier access to diagnostic tests to help spot less clear-cut cancer cases.
The policy will be funded from savings worth £1bn from the NHS's capital budget over five years.The policy will be funded from savings worth £1bn from the NHS's capital budget over five years.
We've got a whole bank of MPs, but everybody seems despondent John Prescott Speedier tests for cancer plannedWe've got a whole bank of MPs, but everybody seems despondent John Prescott Speedier tests for cancer planned
Our correspondent added that the prime minister is also expected to claim credit for economic recovery during his address to delegates.Our correspondent added that the prime minister is also expected to claim credit for economic recovery during his address to delegates.
The conference follows a summer in which Mr Brown has faced criticism for writing a letter of congratulations to England's victorious Ashes cricket team while keeping silent on the release of the Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi.The conference follows a summer in which Mr Brown has faced criticism for writing a letter of congratulations to England's victorious Ashes cricket team while keeping silent on the release of the Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi.
And as delegates gathered for the conference, which begins on Monday, Mr Prescott suggested in his interview there was a lack of talent and experience among the party's team of advisers.And as delegates gathered for the conference, which begins on Monday, Mr Prescott suggested in his interview there was a lack of talent and experience among the party's team of advisers.
Mr Prescott told the Independent there was "something lacking" at the top of the party.Mr Prescott told the Independent there was "something lacking" at the top of the party.
He said: "Those who have responsibility for campaigning - it is not reaching out to the depths of the party.He said: "Those who have responsibility for campaigning - it is not reaching out to the depths of the party.
"We've got a whole bank of MPs, but everybody seems despondent. There's too much defeatist thinking. There's no central direction to campaigning.""We've got a whole bank of MPs, but everybody seems despondent. There's too much defeatist thinking. There's no central direction to campaigning."
"There's got to be leadership and there's got to be a message.""There's got to be leadership and there's got to be a message."
'Fighters, not quitters''Fighters, not quitters'
But in interviews for Saturday's morning newspapers, cabinet ministers fell behind the prime minister and talked up the party's chances at the general election.But in interviews for Saturday's morning newspapers, cabinet ministers fell behind the prime minister and talked up the party's chances at the general election.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband told the Daily Telegraph that Mr Brown was "the right leader" and said the prime minister had "bags" of resilience to take into the next election.Energy Secretary Ed Miliband told the Daily Telegraph that Mr Brown was "the right leader" and said the prime minister had "bags" of resilience to take into the next election.
Mr Balls - regarded by many as the prime minister's closest ally - insisted there was "all to play for" at the polls.Mr Balls - regarded by many as the prime minister's closest ally - insisted there was "all to play for" at the polls.
He told the Guardian the prime minister should not worry about lacking "razzmatazz" and said the party needed "more fighters, not quitters".He told the Guardian the prime minister should not worry about lacking "razzmatazz" and said the party needed "more fighters, not quitters".
Question Time in the House of Commons is no substitute for a proper television debate David CameronConservative leaderQuestion Time in the House of Commons is no substitute for a proper television debate David CameronConservative leader
Mr Balls added: "Gordon is who he is. Gordon is at his strongest when he is being authentic."Mr Balls added: "Gordon is who he is. Gordon is at his strongest when he is being authentic."
The schools secretary also said he believed Labour could benefit from a proposed direct debate with Tory leader David Cameron.The schools secretary also said he believed Labour could benefit from a proposed direct debate with Tory leader David Cameron.
"The more debates the better," Mr Balls said."The more debates the better," Mr Balls said.
"David Cameron is better at reading out a script than discussing the detail of policy.""David Cameron is better at reading out a script than discussing the detail of policy."
International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said Mr Brown had "nothing to fear" from a TV debate between the party leaders.International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said Mr Brown had "nothing to fear" from a TV debate between the party leaders.
Mr Alexander, who is also Labour's election co-ordinator, suggested to the Daily Mirror that any televised debate could be part of a series between Labour heavyweights and their opposite numbers ahead of the next general election.Mr Alexander, who is also Labour's election co-ordinator, suggested to the Daily Mirror that any televised debate could be part of a series between Labour heavyweights and their opposite numbers ahead of the next general election.
Mr Cameron said he was keen for the encounter, arguing it would engage the public.Mr Cameron said he was keen for the encounter, arguing it would engage the public.
He added: "Question Time in the House of Commons is no substitute for a proper television debate.He added: "Question Time in the House of Commons is no substitute for a proper television debate.
"Gordon Brown should make a decision about this. There's either a 'yes' or a 'no'. My answer's 'yes' - what's his answer?""Gordon Brown should make a decision about this. There's either a 'yes' or a 'no'. My answer's 'yes' - what's his answer?"