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Let the people decide - Cameron Let the people decide - Cameron
(10 minutes later)
David Cameron has challenged Gordon Brown to call an immediate general election and "let the people decide".David Cameron has challenged Gordon Brown to call an immediate general election and "let the people decide".
In a rallying end-of-conference speech, the Tory leader said the Conservatives were ready for a snap poll, adding: "We will fight, and Britain will win."In a rallying end-of-conference speech, the Tory leader said the Conservatives were ready for a snap poll, adding: "We will fight, and Britain will win."
He said he wanted his party to inspire people with a message of optimism and hope for Britain in the "new world".He said he wanted his party to inspire people with a message of optimism and hope for Britain in the "new world".
Speaking without notes, he contrasted the "modern" Tories with Labour's "cynical... old politics".Speaking without notes, he contrasted the "modern" Tories with Labour's "cynical... old politics".
I say - God, we have got to do better than that David Cameron Key Quotes: Cameron speech At-a-glance: Tory conferenceI say - God, we have got to do better than that David Cameron Key Quotes: Cameron speech At-a-glance: Tory conference
He reminded party members he had last addressed them in Blackpool when he had made his pitch to be their leader in 2005 - a speech which famously propelled him from outsider to favourite for the job.He reminded party members he had last addressed them in Blackpool when he had made his pitch to be their leader in 2005 - a speech which famously propelled him from outsider to favourite for the job.
"Today I want to make a speech about why I want to lead our country," he said."Today I want to make a speech about why I want to lead our country," he said.
"I'm afraid it's going to be a bit longer and I haven't got an autocue. I haven't got a script. I have just got a few notes. It might be a bit messy, but it will be me.""I'm afraid it's going to be a bit longer and I haven't got an autocue. I haven't got a script. I have just got a few notes. It might be a bit messy, but it will be me."
New prioritiesNew priorities
The Conservatives have used their week in Blackpool to set out the policies they believe can win them the next election - including lifting the ceiling on inheritance tax from £300,000 to £1m and cutting stamp duty for first-time buyers.The Conservatives have used their week in Blackpool to set out the policies they believe can win them the next election - including lifting the ceiling on inheritance tax from £300,000 to £1m and cutting stamp duty for first-time buyers.
With the party trailing in the opinion polls, Mr Cameron was hoping to convince voters the Tories have what it takes to deliver changes in health, education, law and order and security.With the party trailing in the opinion polls, Mr Cameron was hoping to convince voters the Tories have what it takes to deliver changes in health, education, law and order and security.
HAVE YOUR SAY I want a government that can give me optimism and hope for the future, not just political stunts and more empty promises of jam tomorrow Mike, London Send us your comments HAVE YOUR SAY If the Tories continue like this I'd seriously think of voting for them Matt Evans, Farnborough Send us your comments
Unlike Mr Brown, who did not mention him at all in his Labour conference speech last week, the Conservative leader devoted a chunk of his address to the Labour leader.Unlike Mr Brown, who did not mention him at all in his Labour conference speech last week, the Conservative leader devoted a chunk of his address to the Labour leader.
He said: "Boy, has this guy got a plan. It's to appeal to those 4% of people in the marginal seats with a dog-whistle about immigration here, about crime there, wrap yourself up in the flag and maybe you convince people you are on their side.He said: "Boy, has this guy got a plan. It's to appeal to those 4% of people in the marginal seats with a dog-whistle about immigration here, about crime there, wrap yourself up in the flag and maybe you convince people you are on their side.
"But I say, 'God, we have got to do better than that'. What about the 40% of our fellow citizens who have just given up on politics?"But I say, 'God, we have got to do better than that'. What about the 40% of our fellow citizens who have just given up on politics?
"We have got to inspire them. People want the politics of belief and that means politics they can really believe in.""We have got to inspire them. People want the politics of belief and that means politics they can really believe in."
Mr Cameron said the party would not be lurching to the right or the left. "We are going to provide the good solid leadership this country needs.Mr Cameron said the party would not be lurching to the right or the left. "We are going to provide the good solid leadership this country needs.
"We need change for the long term, hope for our country and optimism for the next generation. That's what this week has been about and that's what I am about.""We need change for the long term, hope for our country and optimism for the next generation. That's what this week has been about and that's what I am about."
'Lifeboat fund''Lifeboat fund'
Mr Cameron said Mr Brown's "worst legacy" had been "his destruction of Britain's pension system and we in this party will never let him forget it".Mr Cameron said Mr Brown's "worst legacy" had been "his destruction of Britain's pension system and we in this party will never let him forget it".
In government, the Tories would create a "lifeboat fund" to give 125,000 people the support they deserve "after being let down so badly by this government".In government, the Tories would create a "lifeboat fund" to give 125,000 people the support they deserve "after being let down so badly by this government".
His party would end the "revolving door" of the benefits system and seek the involvement of charities, voluntary bodies and private companies to help run it.His party would end the "revolving door" of the benefits system and seek the involvement of charities, voluntary bodies and private companies to help run it.
"We will say to people that if you are offered a job and it's a fair job and it's one that you can do and you refuse it, you shouldn't get any welfare," he said."We will say to people that if you are offered a job and it's a fair job and it's one that you can do and you refuse it, you shouldn't get any welfare," he said.
Describing the family as the best welfare system, he said Tories would end the couple penalty on benefits, recognise marriage in the tax system and give time and flexible working to employees with children.Describing the family as the best welfare system, he said Tories would end the couple penalty on benefits, recognise marriage in the tax system and give time and flexible working to employees with children.
Referendum callReferendum call
On health, Mr Cameron said his party would "scrap top down targets and trust our professionals in the NHS".On health, Mr Cameron said his party would "scrap top down targets and trust our professionals in the NHS".
He said that the political system was still "stuck in the dark ages".He said that the political system was still "stuck in the dark ages".
"When it comes to politics we just have to take what we are given and put up with it," he said."When it comes to politics we just have to take what we are given and put up with it," he said.
A prime example was the refusal by Mr Brown to accept demands for a referendum on the European Union treaty.A prime example was the refusal by Mr Brown to accept demands for a referendum on the European Union treaty.
"It is one of the most blatant breaches of trust in modern politics they won't give us that referendum.""It is one of the most blatant breaches of trust in modern politics they won't give us that referendum."