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Brown sets out his Labour vision Brown sets out leadership vision
(20 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has paid a fulsome tribute to Tony Blair as he sets out his stall to be the next prime minister. Gordon Brown has made his pitch to the Labour Party conference in Manchester to be Britain's next prime minister.
In the test of his political life at the Labour conference, Mr Brown is presenting himself as the man to take New Labour's programme forward. Mr Brown said he had the experience and right values for the job - and said he would relish the chance to take on David Cameron's Conservatives.
He admitted he and Mr Blair had argued about some issues while in power. In the test of his political life, Mr Brown paid tribute to Tony Blair but admitted they had differed at times.
"Where over these years differences have distracted from what matters I regret that, as I know Tony does too," Mr Brown told delegates in Manchester. "Where... differences have distracted from what matters I regret that, as I know Tony does too," Mr Brown added.
Personal story
Mr Brown says he accepts people want to know more about him as a person.
He used his speech to tell more about how his upbringing in Scotland had forged his view about ensuring all talent is fulfilled.
HAVE YOUR SAY Brown or Blair? Same meat, different gravy James Sykes, Bracknell Send us your views
"I believe then and I believe now that at all times the Labour Party must stand for more than a programme: we must have a soul," he said.
Mr Brown said he was quite a private person and was drawn into public life not in search of fame but because he was determined to make a difference.
"I know where I come from, what I believe and what I believe and what I can contribute," he said.
"And I am confident that my experience and my values gives me the strength to take the tough decisions.
"I would relish the opportunity to take on David Cameron and the Conservative Party."
War decision call
His speech has gone way beyond his Treasury brief, covering the fight against terrorism, education, public service reforms and protecting the environment.
On foreign policy, he said Parliament must in future make have the final say on sending British troops to war, except in emergencies.
And he hinted he was open to the idea of a written constitution.
The chancellor said he wanted a "new politics" founded on responsibilities as well as rights.The chancellor said he wanted a "new politics" founded on responsibilities as well as rights.
He is putting devolution of power, from government to citizens and local institutions, at the top of his agenda. He put devolution of power, from government to citizens and local institutions, at the top of his agenda.
Ahead of his speech Mr Brown said he accepted people also wanted to know more about him as a person.
LABOUR WEEK AHEAD MONDAY: Brown's keynote speech. Also taking to the platform are Alistair Darling and John HuttonTUESDAY: Blair's keynote speech. Also taking to the platform are Margaret Beckett and Ruth Kelly.WEDNESDAY: Alan Johnson, David Miliband, Patricia Hewitt all take to the platform and Bill Clinton is the guest speakerTHURSDAY: John Reid, Peter Hain and John Prescott all take to the stage. Conference: At-a-glanceLABOUR WEEK AHEAD MONDAY: Brown's keynote speech. Also taking to the platform are Alistair Darling and John HuttonTUESDAY: Blair's keynote speech. Also taking to the platform are Margaret Beckett and Ruth Kelly.WEDNESDAY: Alan Johnson, David Miliband, Patricia Hewitt all take to the platform and Bill Clinton is the guest speakerTHURSDAY: John Reid, Peter Hain and John Prescott all take to the stage. Conference: At-a-glance
He told BBC Radio 4's Today: "People have not only a right to know who they're electing, but I've got a duty to explain to people." Earlier, Mr Brown told BBC Radio 4's Today: "People have not only a right to know who they're electing, but I've got a duty to explain to people."
Mr Brown, who admits he is an essentially "private" man, said he wanted to address "what I believe in, what I stand for and what has made me the person I am". And he said his basic view is that "the renewal of New Labour must and will be built upon... a flexible economy, reformed personalised services, public and private sectors not at odds but working together so that we can truly deliver opportunity and security, not just for some, but for all".
Amongst the hints of what he might be planning if he became prime minister, Mr Brown is calling for NHS management to be hived off to an independent board, in the same way he gave the Bank of England independence. 'Policy first'
And he will say his basic view is that "the renewal of New Labour must and will be built upon... a flexible economy, reformed personalised services, public and private sectors not at odds but working together so that we can truly deliver opportunity and security, not just for some, but for all". Mr Brown has already said he does not expect the prime minister to back his candidacy - or anyone else's - as successor until the leadership election kicks off in earnest.
'My background'
Mr Brown is expected to deliver another show of loyalty to Mr Blair, praising his record and spelling out how he has transformed Britain.
The two chatted, smiling, on stage as they waited for Mr Brown to be called to begin his speech at 1210 BST.
He has already said he does not expect the prime minister to back his candidacy - or anyone else's - as successor until the leadership election kicks off in earnest.
On Sunday, Mr Blair admitted that the last few weeks had been damaging to Labour.On Sunday, Mr Blair admitted that the last few weeks had been damaging to Labour.
He said: "For the first time since I became leader, the Labour Party went AWOL (absent without leave) from the British public, it looked in on itself, it started all the in-fighting and the rest of it."He said: "For the first time since I became leader, the Labour Party went AWOL (absent without leave) from the British public, it looked in on itself, it started all the in-fighting and the rest of it."
Mandelson
Meanwhile, Charles Clarke, the former Home Secretary, has expressed regret over his public criticisms of Mr Brown, in a further sign of attempts by Labour to put forward a united front.
Mr Clarke had accused the chancellor, in a newspaper interview, of "absolutely stupid behaviour" during the row over Mr Blair's leadership.
He said on Sunday: "People behaved, including myself, in ways that were probably not in the best and most advised ways."
Peter Mandelson, the EU commissioner and former Cabinet minister who is one of Mr Blair's closest Labour allies, has also weighed into the leadership debate.
HAVE YOUR SAY Brown or Blair? Same meat, different gravy James Sykes, Bracknell Send us your views
Mr Mandelson said earlier this month this would be his last annual Labour conference as leader - an announcement which came during a period of in-fighting over his departure date.
You can watch live coverage of Gordon Brown's speech now on the BBC News website.You can watch live coverage of Gordon Brown's speech now on the BBC News website.