|
Labour conference: Brown sets the mood
Edward Davie
With most of the policies from deep cleaning hospitals to building new houses heavily trailed, Gordon Brown's first conference speech as prime minister was more about setting a mood than a specific agenda.
By replacing the dry economic analysis with a personal vision of his motivations in his desire to "intensify reform", Brown attempted to set a very different tone to that created by his appearances as chancellor.
He spoke of the rugby injury that nearly robbed him of his sight and how that experience of the NHS shaped his attitudes towards healthcare.
And Brown told delegates that his "moral compass" was set by his parents who taught him about "the great virtues of hard work, doing your duty and always trying to do the right thing".
The delivery of this narrative was designed to give the public a different view of a politician who has often seemed moody, distant and impersonal.
As well as being a more personal speech it was also self-consciously patriotic.
The words "Britain" and "British" occurred what seemed like dozens of times and whilst a cynic might claim this is motivated by fear that the UK he now governs could break up after gains made by the SNP, it seemed like a genuine attempt to promote a coherent set of values.
At the last conference few would have thought that the leadership transition could have been as smooth and that Brown's first months in office would have been so generally well-received.
Certainly no one could have predicted the events of the summer and the Labour leader listed the series of tests faced by his fledgling government from foot and mouth to floods.
In a theatrical touch he even thanked the Glasgow airport baggage handler John Smeaton, who helped a policeman during the terrorist attack and who was in the hall to acknowledge the applause of delegates.
As well as hailing what he said were the party's achievements of the last 10 years, even Tony Blair's, Brown set out the challenges ahead and how he aimed to deal with them.
From education and health to law and order and immigration, the theme was extending rights and opportunities but also expecting responsibility from those receiving them.
The clergyman's son at times sounded like he was delivering a sermon as he set out his vision of a society succeeding through "obligations" fulfilled.
In this confident, long and well-received speech Brown made no reference to the speculation about the possibility of an autumn election but the party feels that it is now being led by someone that can deliver a fourth victory whenever the poll comes.
|
Published: Mon, 24 Sep 2007 17:38:15 GMT+01
Submit Comment
|
| Name |
|
| Email |
|
| Location |
|
| Comment |
|
|
Remember Me |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
