Labour conference finale mulled

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With the Labour party's conference at an end, Friday's papers express differing opinions on its success or failure.

The Financial Times believes David Cameron, preparing for his own party conference, is the only winner.

The Daily Telegraph accuses Labour of making the "potentially fatal mistake" of "gazing at its own navel".

But the Guardian says Labour managed to retreat "from the fratricidal abyss", with delegates hailing it as a successful conference.

'Deputy Dawg'

The Labour conference has proved rich pickings for the newspapers' political sketch-writers.

Quentin Letts of the Daily Mail was entertained by the last platform appearance of John Prescott.

He described him as "plopping through the hoops like an overfed Labrador at the village dog show".

It is unfortunate that a more sympathetic view - in the Daily Mirror - should picture him as Labour's once-vital "Deputy Dawg".

Foreign policy problems

Many of the papers believe the government is facing a difficult year, particularly with its foreign policy.

The Daily Express, among others, says Afghanistan is crucial for ministers, and it recounts the courage shown by British troops in "brutal warfare".

An Army source tells the Mail: "We're talking Waterloo stuff here."

The Sun tells how four Commandos fought off an ambush by 200 Taleban fighters and claims that scores of UK soldiers will be given medals for their efforts.

Hammond's recovery

The smiling face of Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond beams out from most of the front pages.

The Mirror goes with the headline "back on the road", saying that "the hamster leaves hospital smiling... and thankfully only doing 2mph".

The Telegraph also carries the picture and quotes a doctor from Leeds General Infirmary saying the presenter will be back to his old self within six months.

The Sun described his recovery from a life-threatening crash as "remarkable".