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I'm up to the test, Cameron says I'm up to the test, Cameron says
(11 minutes later)
Conservative leader David Cameron has said he is "ready to be tested" if his party wins power, in his last conference speech ahead of an election.Conservative leader David Cameron has said he is "ready to be tested" if his party wins power, in his last conference speech ahead of an election.
He said times would be "tough" but his party would "rebuild responsibility" to "put Britain back on her feet".He said times would be "tough" but his party would "rebuild responsibility" to "put Britain back on her feet".
In a personal reference, he said the death of his son Ivan had made him ask "do I really want to do this?".In a personal reference, he said the death of his son Ivan had made him ask "do I really want to do this?".
If he won power he said his "first and gravest responsibility" would be to British troops in Afghanistan.If he won power he said his "first and gravest responsibility" would be to British troops in Afghanistan.
Mr Cameron praised some Labour achievements, including the minimum wage, civil partnerships and devolution but said the party believed "for every problem there's a government solution" which had led to a "steady erosion of responsibility".Mr Cameron praised some Labour achievements, including the minimum wage, civil partnerships and devolution but said the party believed "for every problem there's a government solution" which had led to a "steady erosion of responsibility".
'Steep climb''Steep climb'
He said a Conservative government would roll back "big government" in favour of a "stronger society, stronger families, stronger communities".He said a Conservative government would roll back "big government" in favour of a "stronger society, stronger families, stronger communities".
Mr Cameron said he was under no illusions and if his party won the next election - which has to be called by June 2010 - "it is going to be tough" and there would be a "steep climb ahead".Mr Cameron said he was under no illusions and if his party won the next election - which has to be called by June 2010 - "it is going to be tough" and there would be a "steep climb ahead".
Don't you dare lecture us about poverty. You have failed and it falls to us, the modern Conservative Party, to fight for the poorest who you have let down David Cameron The Full Story: Cameron's speech M&S dress for Samantha Cameron Secrets of the conference soundbite Text in full: Cameron's speechDon't you dare lecture us about poverty. You have failed and it falls to us, the modern Conservative Party, to fight for the poorest who you have let down David Cameron The Full Story: Cameron's speech M&S dress for Samantha Cameron Secrets of the conference soundbite Text in full: Cameron's speech
But he promised "the view from the summit will be worth it".But he promised "the view from the summit will be worth it".
The wide ranging speech saw Mr Cameron promise to tackle welfare dependency and anti-social behaviour, boost business, improve the NHS and put a cap on some immigration.The wide ranging speech saw Mr Cameron promise to tackle welfare dependency and anti-social behaviour, boost business, improve the NHS and put a cap on some immigration.
He reiterated several previous pledges but concentrated on delivering his vision of what a Conservative government would do for Britain.He reiterated several previous pledges but concentrated on delivering his vision of what a Conservative government would do for Britain.
A Tory government would reward those who took responsibility and care for those who could not, he said, adding he wanted a country where "the poorest children go to the best schools not the worst, where birth is never a barrier".A Tory government would reward those who took responsibility and care for those who could not, he said, adding he wanted a country where "the poorest children go to the best schools not the worst, where birth is never a barrier".
Budget deficitBudget deficit
He said policies had been outlined during the week but whatever plans were made it was "unpredictable events that come to dominate a government".He said policies had been outlined during the week but whatever plans were made it was "unpredictable events that come to dominate a government".
"It's your character, your temperament and your judgement, not your policies and your manifesto that really make the difference," he said."It's your character, your temperament and your judgement, not your policies and your manifesto that really make the difference," he said.
He said a Tory government would back savers, workers, entrepreneurs and families.He said a Tory government would back savers, workers, entrepreneurs and families.
"When such a big part of your life suddenly ends nothing else - nothing outside - matters""When such a big part of your life suddenly ends nothing else - nothing outside - matters"
And he added: "If you're frightened, we'll protect you, if you risk your safety to stop a crime, we'll stand by you, if you risk your life to fight for your country, we will honour you."And he added: "If you're frightened, we'll protect you, if you risk your safety to stop a crime, we'll stand by you, if you risk your life to fight for your country, we will honour you."
Mr Cameron's plans to start reducing spending immediately to tackle the budget deficit - predicted to reach £175bn in this financial year - have been criticised by Labour ministers who say the party is isolated and would prolong the recession.Mr Cameron's plans to start reducing spending immediately to tackle the budget deficit - predicted to reach £175bn in this financial year - have been criticised by Labour ministers who say the party is isolated and would prolong the recession.
But Mr Cameron said the "longer we wait for a credible plan, the bigger the bill for our children to pay" and asked: "What is compassionate, what is progressive about spending more on debt interest than on helping the poorest children in our country?"But Mr Cameron said the "longer we wait for a credible plan, the bigger the bill for our children to pay" and asked: "What is compassionate, what is progressive about spending more on debt interest than on helping the poorest children in our country?"
In a fierce attack on the Labour government he said they, not the "wicked Tories" had made "the poorest poorer" and made inequality greater.In a fierce attack on the Labour government he said they, not the "wicked Tories" had made "the poorest poorer" and made inequality greater.
Dannatt appointmentDannatt appointment
Conference members got to their feet to applaud as he said: "So don't you dare lecture us about poverty. You have failed and it falls to us, the modern Conservative Party, to fight for the poorest who you have let down."Conference members got to their feet to applaud as he said: "So don't you dare lecture us about poverty. You have failed and it falls to us, the modern Conservative Party, to fight for the poorest who you have let down."
In a reference to the death of his six-year-old son Ivan in February, he said "this year will only ever mean one thing" to him and his wife Samantha.In a reference to the death of his six-year-old son Ivan in February, he said "this year will only ever mean one thing" to him and his wife Samantha.
"When such a big part of your life suddenly ends, nothing else - nothing outside - matters. It's like the world has stopped turning and the clocks have stopped ticking," he said."When such a big part of your life suddenly ends, nothing else - nothing outside - matters. It's like the world has stopped turning and the clocks have stopped ticking," he said.
It concealed the judgement calls he has consistently got wrong and the real threat of what he would do Liam ByrneChief Secretary to the Treasury Send us your commentsIt concealed the judgement calls he has consistently got wrong and the real threat of what he would do Liam ByrneChief Secretary to the Treasury Send us your comments
He said it made him ask "do I really want to do this" and paid tribute to his wife saying she "sustains me the most".He said it made him ask "do I really want to do this" and paid tribute to his wife saying she "sustains me the most".
Mr Cameron also confirmed that former head of the Army General Sir Richard Dannatt would become a Tory defence adviser and may serve in a future Tory government.Mr Cameron also confirmed that former head of the Army General Sir Richard Dannatt would become a Tory defence adviser and may serve in a future Tory government.
After the speech Tory chairman Eric Pickles told the BBC he thought it was significant there were two standing ovations during the speech - for his comments on Labour's record on poverty and on the troops in Afghanistan.After the speech Tory chairman Eric Pickles told the BBC he thought it was significant there were two standing ovations during the speech - for his comments on Labour's record on poverty and on the troops in Afghanistan.
But for the government, minister Liam Byrne said it was "emotive but deceptive".But for the government, minister Liam Byrne said it was "emotive but deceptive".
"It concealed the judgement calls he has consistently got wrong and the real threat of what he would do. He attacked the recession but opposed every decision we have taken to accelerate the recovery."It concealed the judgement calls he has consistently got wrong and the real threat of what he would do. He attacked the recession but opposed every decision we have taken to accelerate the recovery.
"He feigned concern for the poor but made no mention of his tax giveaway of £200,000 to the wealthiest few," he said."He feigned concern for the poor but made no mention of his tax giveaway of £200,000 to the wealthiest few," he said.
"This was a traditional Conservative speech, it was not a speech of change. The two faces of the Conservative Party are increasingly on show.""This was a traditional Conservative speech, it was not a speech of change. The two faces of the Conservative Party are increasingly on show."
Policy pledges outlined during the week have included measures it says are needed to put the UK's economy back on track, such as a public sector pay freeze and raising the age at which the state pension can be claimed.Policy pledges outlined during the week have included measures it says are needed to put the UK's economy back on track, such as a public sector pay freeze and raising the age at which the state pension can be claimed.
The first opinion poll - the daily YouGov tracker for Sky News - since the measures were announced suggested that voters had not taken fright at the plans.The first opinion poll - the daily YouGov tracker for Sky News - since the measures were announced suggested that voters had not taken fright at the plans.
The poll suggests the Conservatives had increased their lead over Labour to 14 points. The survey of about 1,000 people was conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday.The poll suggests the Conservatives had increased their lead over Labour to 14 points. The survey of about 1,000 people was conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday.