Brown's Leader's speech sets out appeal to Conservative 'Middle Britain'

10.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 25th Sep 2007

Gordon Brown

Gordon Brown yesterday used his first conference speech as Labour party leader to make a direct appeal to the conservative instincts of middle Britain, vowing to create an aspirational society based on the foundations of duty, respect and responsibility. In an unusually personal hour-long speech, with no reference to his Conservative or Liberal Democrat opponents or the possibility of an imminent general election,

Sir Ming Campbell, Leader of the Liberal Democrats said "Gordon Brown should call an election now. The continuous speculation is bad for the economy, bad for the political process and bad for public confidence in the government. The Liberal Democrats are ready and waiting for a general election as soon as possible."