'Go ahead and call the election'
Updated on 03 October 2007
David Cameron urges Gordon Brown to call a snap election at his make or break speech at the Conservative conference.
"It might be a bit messy, but it will be me."
In a make or break speech ahead of a possible November election, David Cameron dispensed with his autocue to tell the Conservative conference that he stood for hope and optimism - contrasting Gordon Brown's old, failed politics with his new kind of politics that people could believe in.
He urged the Prime Minister, whom he accused of treating people like fools, to call an immediate election, as he set out the Tory programme on tax, the family, schools and the NHS.
Upbeat
With maybe only four weeks before a general election, you wouldn't have thought David Cameron had much to smile about.
He is trailing in the polls, trounced by Gordon Brown on almost every issue that will determine whether after a decade the Conservatives get back into government. But this underdog has been here before.
Bounce back
Two years ago, he was losing the Conservative leadership election until he got on his feet and delivered a speech that changed his destiny. Today, he again tried to pull off the same feat of oratorical showmanship.
He spoke for an hour and ten minutes with no script no autocue. His style was more chatty than barnstorming.
Getting personal
He has often been criticised for lacking substance, but today's tour de force was aimed at showing the world that he has got ideas in his head and they come from the heart. He was not afraid to get personal - even taking the risk of reminding us how posh he is.
Personal, yes. Political? Very. Gordon Brown didn't deign to mention David Cameron in his speech, but the Tory leader could not wait to tear into the prime minister.
The Tories believe Gordon Brown cannot claim to be making a break from the past when he's carried on with the spin of the Blair era.
Pleasing all
But if the Tory slogan is 'time for change', and David Cameron sees himself as the man of the future, there was plenty in the speech that kept the traditionalists happy too.
It is clear that the man who once wanted to hug hoodies had a harder, more conservative edge this afternoon.
The finale
And never mind Margaret Thatcher's visit to Downing Street ... David Cameron paid homage to her too with a namecheck and a hint of further tax cuts to make the Conservatives once again the party of aspiration.
But the trees and floating clouds seemed to say that no matter how true blue he really is, it will always be a fresher greener hue.
They all loved it and wife Samantha loved it. He even added: 'I love you babe.'
David Cameron left this platform knowing the next speech he makes could be on the campaign trail.
His party arrived here desperately wanting to persuade Gordon Brown to postpone an election - but the funny thing is many Tories are leaving Blackpool having talked themselves into wanting one.
And as Gordon Brown ponders his options over the next few days, that might just give him pause for thought.
