September 27, 2007The final word
Before her gushing final speech, Harriet Harman made a last ditch attempt to prevent a diplomatic bust up with a senior female colleague. She sent a note to the chairman reminding him not to say that she was Labour's first female deputy, that accolade had gone to Margaret Beckett. Shame she couldn't spell her predecessor's name, however. The "bonkers" delegate
Greg Crime Debate Westminster delegate -- Chinese lady, yellow top MUST NOT BE CALLED bonkers speech about gun ownership. Thanks Straw in tights
Have-a-go hero Straw wears tights Jack Straw was wolf-whisled by delegates when he talked about what he will wear on state occasions - embroidered gown, frock coat, breeches, buckled shoes and silk tights. But he revealed he will be making a change when appearing at formal occasions in his role as Lord Chancellor. “Comrades, you should know that in a key step on the forward march to socialism, I am dispensing with the wig." Early election: where do they stand?
September 26, 2007Ed Balls stokes election fever
Until now, Brown has insisted he is "getting on with the job" and refused to say anything about the polls. So for any government minister, nevermind mind his closest ally, to say Mr Brown is "looking very carefully at the events of this week" (suggesting a decision imminently) and describing the decision as a "gamble", must be significant. Balls' words are strikingly different from his comments to today's Daily Telegraph, that "[Brown] hasn't told me [when the election willl be] and it is his decision". Below is a hasty transcript. But the words do not capture two important elements of the interview, discussed afterwards. Interviewer Sarah Montague: [Should there be] fixed term Parliaments? Two important points: The first was the way the Today interviewer frustratingly interrupted him in the middle of the "crucial week" answer, somewhat muddying the reply. The second is that Balls appeared to regret the use of the world "gamble" - pressed on what this meant, there were two painful silences, as if the penny was dropping. So what does all of this mean? Is it a) An incautious set of remarks or even a bit of a gaffe, b) a deliberate attempt to raise expectations to stir the Tories which has little or no bearing on the actual decision or c) a true reflection of a shift inside the Brown camp. We'll see. September 25, 2007Poll snap - 11 point lead
A C4 NEWS/YOUGOV poll on voting intentions reveals that 44 per cent of those canvassed would vote for Labour in the next general election – representing a jump of five percent since last week. The latest poll for Channel 4 News was carried out immediately after Gordon Brown gave his maiden conference speech as Labour leader – and now gives now gives Labour an 11 point lead over the Tories. However – when asked when Gordon Brown should call an election, the majority of those surveyed (57%) did not want an election this autumn. In fact only 29% of respondents opted for a quick election. Sweaty Tory palms
It's not been the easiest week for the new boy. Quentin Davis, who talks like a Tory, buys pinstripe suits like a Tory, and praises one nation Conservativism like a Tory (to the bemusement of Labour activists who sat through his speech in the conference hall), isn't making friends as fast as he might like in Bournemouth. His troubles came to a head in the bar last night when he was assailed by Peter Oborne, the jowelly Mail writer. "I think I might have, um - and it was so late at night - might have, well, he's a perfectly well meaning chap. But I think I suggested he might have been rather muggled by Labour," says Oborne, with a touch of pride. "And I think I added that he was intellectually confused." Oborne denies the Chinese Whispers that there was pushing and shoving. "There was no physical contact, I can assure you". Private doctor leads health reforms
Alan Johnson used a curious form of words to introduce Professor Ara Darzi (Baron Darzi of Denham) , the surgeon leading the NHS review. "Professor Ara Darzi, who will be making a presentation later, is one of the world's leading surgeons - the man who pioneered keyhole and robotic surgery," he waxed. "He will continue to see patients free of charge two days a week. And for the rest of the time, we're fortunate to have him as a Labour Government minister." If this statement leads you to think he's a doctor soley employed by the NHS, you would be wrong. According to the Prime Minister's official spokesman on the day he was appointed, "Professor Darzi would be paid three days a week, work four days a week, and would continue to work on Fridays as a surgeon, and would not receive any salary from the NHS. Professor Darzi did have an international private practice, and any income that would be received from that was paid directly to Imperial College to fund research." So he is working for a profit-making practice, even though he channels the money elsewhere. Funny how that gets missed out.
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There is clearly a Cabinet split over whether the Prime Minister should go to the country this Autumn. According to reports in this morning's newspaper, the breakdown seems to be: Ed Balls, Douglas Alexander, Ed Miliband, Ruth Kelly, James Purnell and John Hutton - go now. John Denham also hinted he was in favour of an early election, saying the polls looked "exciting". Meanwhile Alan Johnson and Geoff Hoon are more cautious. Jack Straw and Alistair Darling have yet to make their position clear. 
