This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8296010.stm

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
I'm up to the test, Cameron says I'm up to the test, Cameron says
(10 minutes later)
Tory leader David Cameron has said times will be "tough" if his party wins power but he is "ready to be tested".Tory leader David Cameron has said times will be "tough" if his party wins power but he is "ready to be tested".
In his last conference speech ahead of an election he warned there would be "painful" spending cuts but he wanted to look at "how good things could be".In his last conference speech ahead of an election he warned there would be "painful" spending cuts but he wanted to look at "how good things could be".
His party has proposed spending cuts, pay freezes and pension changes.His party has proposed spending cuts, pay freezes and pension changes.
Ahead of his speech there was a video meesage from U2 singer Bono, a previous Labour conference guest, praising the pledge to safeguard international aid.Ahead of his speech there was a video meesage from U2 singer Bono, a previous Labour conference guest, praising the pledge to safeguard international aid.
Opening the speech Mr Cameron said there was a "steep climb ahead" but "the view from the summit will be worth it".Opening the speech Mr Cameron said there was a "steep climb ahead" but "the view from the summit will be worth it".
Dannatt appointmentDannatt appointment
He said his "first and gravest responsibility" if he wins power would be towards British troops in Afghanistan and their families.He said his "first and gravest responsibility" if he wins power would be towards British troops in Afghanistan and their families.
He also confirmed that former head of the Army General Sir Richard Dannatt would become a Tory defence adviser and may serve in a future Conservative government.He also confirmed that former head of the Army General Sir Richard Dannatt would become a Tory defence adviser and may serve in a future Conservative government.
I won't promise you things I cannot deliver David Cameron Ex-Army chief 'offered Tory role' Secrets of the conference soundbite Analysis: Nervous Tories 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 Ex-Army chief 'offered Tory role' Secrets of the conference soundbite Analysis: Nervous Tories
The wide ranging speech saw Mr Cameron reiterate a Conservative pledge to raise the state pension age to allow them to link the basic state pension with earnings, reduce "big government" and rebuild "responsibility".
He pledged to recognise "marriage and civil partnership in the tax system" and abolish "the couples penalty" in the benefit system.
And in a fierce attack on the Labour government he said they, not the "wicked Tories" had made "the poorest poorer" and made inequality greater.
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."
Reducing debt
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.
"You ask yourself all over again: do I really want to do this? You think about what you really believe and what sustains you," he said."You ask yourself all over again: do I really want to do this? You think about what you really believe and what sustains you," he said.
"I know what sustains me the most. She is sitting right there and I'm incredibly proud to call her my wife.""I know what sustains me the most. She is sitting right there and I'm incredibly proud to call her my wife."
He rejected Labour criticism that his plans to start cutting spending now could prolong the recession. He rejected Labour criticism that his plans to start cutting spending now could prolong the recession, saying the "longer we wait for a credible plan, the bigger the bill for our children to pay".
He said: "The longer we wait for a credible plan, the bigger the bill for our children to pay. The longer we wait, the greater the risk to the recovery. The longer we wait, the higher the chance we return to recession."
He said "responsible thing to do" was to tackle the debt and asked: "What is compassionate, what is progressive about spending more on debt interest than on helping the poorest children in our country?"He said "responsible thing to do" was to tackle the debt and asked: "What is compassionate, what is progressive about spending more on debt interest than on helping the poorest children in our country?"
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said no new policy announcements were anticipated in Mr Cameron's speech. He said, if his party won power, it would keep the government's Sure Start scheme but "improve it", it would extend flexible working and would "transform" health visitors.
The Tory leader would instead focus on the qualities he believes will decide the next election - character, judgement and leadership.
The conference in Manchester is the Tories' last before the general election and has seen the party seeking to show it is ready to govern.The conference in Manchester is the Tories' last before the general election and has seen the party seeking to show it is ready to govern.
Policy pledges outlined 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 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.