Review: David Cameron's speech
By
Channel 4 News
Updated on 08 October 2009
Recap the exclamations and standing ovations of David Cameron's speech to the last Conservative conference before a general election with the Channel 4 News blog.
- 12:01 PM: channel4news It's the last day of the political conference season, which means it's David Cameron's turn to address his party faithful.
- 12:02 PM: channel4news He's set to speak after 2pm, and we'll be following all the claims and announcements as they happen.
- 12:03 PM: channel4news You can let us know what you make of the speech by clicking on the "Make a Comment" link at the top of this blog.
- 12:08 PM: channel4news Cameron's speech is expected to contrast with the doom and gloom his shadow chancellor, George Osborne, talked about earlier in the week. www.channel4.com
- 12:08 PM: channel4news "Yes, there is a steep climb ahead. But I tell you this: the view from the summit will be worth it," he is expected to say.
- 12:16 PM: channel4news WebCameron have released a discussion with a calm-looking David Cameron and a man who has been in his position before, William Hague, talking about the optimum length of a leader's speech and what it should deliver. www.youtube.com
- 12:21 PM: channel4news But perhaps less pressure today on the Conservative leader than on Gordon Brown's bid to revive his party's fortunes last week, with a flurry of election-style promises. www.channel4.com
- 12:28 PM: channel4news If you're twiddling your fingers in barely-controlled anticipation of Cameron's speech at 2.15, why not check out Gary Gibbon's blog? He looks at the disconnect (beautiful word) between "Brand Cameron" and "Brand Tory". bit.ly
- 12:30 PM: channel4news And did any of you watch When Boris Met Dave on More4 last night? This writer thought Johnson incarnation could have made a better stab at a Boris accent.
- 12:33 PM: channel4news Tory Chairman Eric Pickles - surely a character out of Charles Dickens - has just taken to the stage at the conference.
- 12:35 PM: channel4news Reading Cameron's speech from the 2007 conference - confected during Brown's post-coronation honeymoon - is like reading a piece from another age.
- 12:36 PM: channel4news Eric Pickles has just announced that there is "just one more speech to come" and has appeared to reprimand delegates for "having fun" at the conference.
- 12:40 PM: channel4news Eric Pickles to the conference: "Go back to your constituencies and prepare for... more canvassing, more literature delivering and more hard work."
- 12:41 PM: channel4news Delegates in Manchester now filing out of the main hall. What's the significance of the blue-sky backdrop, by the way? Blue-skies thinking? Manchester City supporters? It's a beautiful new day?
- 12:44 PM: channel4news Returning again to the 2007 speech, Cameron refers to the "military covenant", alleging that Gordon Brown's government has broken it- extra resonance, given the touted announcement during his speech this afternoon of General Dannatt's recruitment to the Tory cause.
- 12:48 PM: channel4news Our political reporters are primed and ready to provide a Twitter-tastic commentary on this afternoon's events. Gary Gibbon, Cathy Newman et al. Why not take the afternoon off, head home, take the phone off the hook, open a bottle of mid-afternoon wine and immerse yourself in our live Tory Conference blog?
- 12:50 PM: channel4news Are any members of the Bullingdon Club (past or present) reading this blog? If so, we want to know if last night's When Boris Met Dave dramatisation was true to life?
- 12:51 PM: channel4news This writer was surprised to learn that Poland's foreign minister was one of those inducted into the Bullingdon Club, via the time-honoured ritual of having his room trashed.
- 1:02 PM: channel4news
- 1:02 PM: channel4news Video update: Gary Gibbon on what we might hear from Cameron this afternoon.
- 1:07 PM: FactCheck NEW FactCheck: bad science GCSEs? bit.ly
- 1:10 PM: channel4news So what else can you expect from the speech? Well, the word is that Cameron isn't going to announce any new policy, but draw together the announcements of the week.
- 1:11 PM: channel4news It "will be painful", he will say, but he will add: "What I want to talk about today is how good things could be."
- 1:13 PM: channel4news Samantha Cameron is not expected to follow Sarah Brown's starring role last week in introducing her husband - she'll be watching from the front row, but she has, according to WebCameron, helped cut down the speech.
- 1:16 PM: FactCheck An hour to go until Cameron's big speech - we'll be keeping an eye on whether his claims stack up
- 1:17 PM: channel4news Samantha "got very bored during one part of it" Cameron admitted. Well, if you're wife can't tell you, who can?
- 1:17 PM: Ali Sanjarani I hope he acknowledges the nations suffering as a result of credit crunch and takes the blame for his party as the main opposition,that while it may have been the government policy to bring this harsh economic condition, his party has been taking a knap thus not performing its duties as the main opposition party.
- 1:21 PM: channel4news If we're to believe advance notices of David Cameron's speech this afternoon, the old "tough love" warhorse is about to make a return to the political arena. "Pain will be worth it," reads a Press Association headline.
- 1:26 PM: channel4news But after the pain... the gain. We're told David Cameron will go on to offer his personal vision of Britain once the country has passed through the "tough love" crucible.
- 1:28 PM: channel4news Given that politicians from all the main parties appear to be offering a sort of "one step backwards, two steps forwards" vision of the next few years in Britian, one wonders how the parties will brand their campaigns. Not "Things can only get better," obviously.
- 1:30 PM: channel4news Perhaps "I can see clearly now, the rain has gone" would be a more fitting musical accompaniment to the middle of the next decade?
- 1:31 PM: channel4news Anyway, back to the Conservatives in Manchester. An almost palpable... air of lunch at the conference centre. Chinking crockery, animated discussion, gaggles milling in the semi-dark of the conference hall.
- 1:32 PM: Ali Sanjarani I run a small company and we are behind with the Tax payment. HM Revenue and Custom keeps on sending me theatening letters and when I ask my bank to lend me or provide overdraft facilities, they say that there hasent been money comming in in the recent months. Catch 22, when I don't need to borrow, they offer me a good deal and when I need to don't lend.
- 1:35 PM: channel4news Is it me or is it the Conservative Conference? The live feed from Manchester has suddenly thrown up some Basement Jaxx musical accompaniment.
- 1:36 PM: Ali Sanjarani Our government paid banks so that they can lend money to individuals and corporates, and yet if you are a small company, they don't want to know you.
- 1:38 PM: channel4news Returning to the "I can see clearly now" theme, reports say David Cameron will compare the tough decisions needed to get debt under control to the ascent of a mountain. So "Climb Every Mountain" to introduce the Tory election campaign?
- 1:40 PM: channel4news Today's Guardian promises that the Conservative leader will draw on biblical references "to offer a more positive vision to the nation after the dire warnings on the state of the nation's finances". Which biblical reference might that be, then? Suggestions on a Twitter to this address.
- 1:48 PM: channel4news The conference hall is already half full. One can only presume David Cameron is backstage, poring over the Channel 4 News live conference blog.
- 1:49 PM: channel4news David, if you're reading this, is it true that This Charming Man is your favourite Smiths song?
- 1:49 PM: antagonise Quotes, @channel4news? How about Jesus Christ, in St. Luke's Gospel, "Lend, hoping for nothing again." #cpc09 #twinge
- 1:50 PM: channel4news And is it true, as implied by When Boris Met Dave last night, that you liked nothing better when at Oxford than to strum along to the likes of Sade?
- 1:51 PM: channel4news The assembling conference delegates are now being shown a video feature of a social club for young people - a "Social Action Project for Conference 2009".
- 1:53 PM: antagonise #CameronQuotes @channel4news: "You shall not lend him your money for usury, nor lend him your food at a profit." (Leviticus 25:35-37)
- 2:01 PM: channel4news Maroon 5 on the stereo - "I don't believe it's true anymore".
- 2:02 PM: channel4news More up to date than Labour's selection of the Levellers.
- 2:04 PM: channel4news Now on to Mr Blue Sky, to match the background to the Tory logo we presume.
- 2:07 PM: channel4news So the countdown continues - Cameron is due onstage imminently, and the hall is full in anticipation. We'll be bringing you what he has to say and what our team make of the speech over the next hour or so.
- 2:08 PM: channel4news You can also tell us what you think of the speech using the "Make a Comment" link above, or via Twitter to @channel4news.
- 2:10 PM: cathynewman Taken my seat in the hall for the big speech
- 2:12 PM: channel4news RT donatahuggins: They're playing 'Ready or not' in the hall. #cpc09
- 2:13 PM: cathynewman This music is driving me mad. Why can't political parties play some schubert while we're waiting?
- 2:13 PM: channel4news People are still filing in to the tune of "Shout to the top", but space is running out in the packed hall.
- 2:15 PM: channel4news And now Coldplay "How long before I get in?...How long do I have to climb, Up on the side of this mountain of mine?" It's on message - keeping on the mountain climbing theme.
- 2:17 PM: channel4news Samantha's taking her seat - we must be close.
- 2:18 PM: channel4news The Tory first lady is surrounded by cameras in her grey dress with white dots.
- 2:18 PM: channel4news The lights dim, and we're off.
- 2:18 PM: channel4news The now traditional for party conferences pre-speech motivational video is rolling.
- 2:19 PM: channel4news "Broken society" flashes up on the screen - it's one of Cameron's totem phrases, and we'll look out for it appearing in the speech itself.
- 2:19 PM: cathynewman Lots of clouds in opening video
- 2:19 PM: channel4news RT MediaCoach: #cpc09 Cameron's Speech William Hague to play the Sarah Brown role this week.
- 2:20 PM: channel4news A slightly surreal picture of Gordon Brown breaking up preceeds the "time for change" message. It's a familiar picture from a couple of years ago, but in a different colour.
- 2:20 PM: cathynewman Ah here's the blue sky
- 2:21 PM: channel4news The crowd is clapping along to the music now. Anticipation building.
- 2:21 PM: channel4news William Hague is up first - it must bring back memories for him.
- 2:21 PM: cathynewman William hague warm up act reinforces him as de facto deputy leader...
- 2:22 PM: channel4news Hague's welcoming the shadow cabinet on stage, as they file in from a back door.
- 2:22 PM: cathynewman Shadow cabinet still looks incredibly male-dominated...
- 2:23 PM: Geoff BBC Parliament is playing the same ten second loop of music over and over with a shot of the conference hall.They also blanked out all the videos that were shown at the conference. Very annoying. Must copyright issues?
- 2:23 PM: cathynewman Blimey bono a surprise!
- 2:23 PM: Ed Fraser A Labour source tells me Gordon Brown will not be "glued to the telly" watching the speech this afternoon. He has a series of meetings instead!
- 2:24 PM: cathynewman Bet gordon's not happy about that...bono was his special chum
- 2:24 PM: channel4news Bono's on screen delivering a message to the conference.
- 2:24 PM: Geoff It looked like a darkened room.
- 2:24 PM: Benjamin Cohen Why on earth is Bono sending a video message
- 2:24 PM: cathynewman I really want to straighten his sunglasses
- 2:25 PM: channel4news Bono's talking about aid and trade with Africa. We've become so used to seeing him with Labour politicians.
- 2:25 PM: Ed Fraser Adam Boulton talking all over Bono?! BBC Not running it either Nick Robinson in deep conversation with Andrew Neil instead. Anyone rather hear from Bono?
- 2:26 PM: channel4news And now we're recapping three years of Cameron leadership - does he look older for it? Perhaps.
- 2:27 PM: channel4news Images of Cameron facing Blair at PMQs in the Commons - a hint that he's been leader for longer than Brown or Clegg.
- 2:28 PM: channel4news Obama gets a mention - WebCameron clip of Cameron after they met, in case we forget they have.
- 2:28 PM: channel4news Now PMQs against Brown - "how long are we going to have to wait before the past makes way for the future."
- 2:29 PM: cathynewman Is boris the new mo mowlam? He just got a round of applause even before cameron takes to the stage
- 2:30 PM: channel4news Lots of cheers for references to election wins, including Boris', and the polls.
- 2:30 PM: channel4news And here he is, on stage.
- 2:30 PM: channel4news A standing ovation for the leader before he's even started.
- 2:31 PM: channel4news "I want to get straight to the point" he starts.
- 2:31 PM: channel4news We all know how bad it can get, he says. We will have to confront irresponsibility.
- 2:32 PM: channel4news I am ready to be tested, he says, and so are the British people.
- 2:32 PM: channel4news RT MichaelWhite: #cpc09 straight into tough talk and easy targets
- 2:33 PM: channel4news Troops in Afghanistan get an early mention: "I know what they want – and deserve - from their government. A ruthless, relentless focus on fighting, winning and coming home."
- 2:34 PM: cathynewman Cameron to set up war cabinet if wins power
- 2:34 PM: channel4news Plug for Liam Fox as defence secretary. "We need a strategy that is credible, and do-able," he says, promising a war cabinet.
- 2:35 PM: channel4news Troops will have the equipment they need he pledges.
- 2:35 PM: cathynewman Cameron "announces" what we found out yesterday: general dannatt will join tory benches in lords.
- 2:35 PM: channel4news And here it is - the trailed announcement that General Sir Richard Dannatt will be part of a Tory government.
- 2:36 PM: Geoff There is a webcast on the Conservatives site if anyone wants to avoid BBC and Sky interruptions:
- 2:36 PM: Geoff www.conservatives.com
- 2:36 PM: Mr A Martin To talk of 'winning' in the context of Afghanistan is arrogance behond belief. There's no winners from this mess.
- 2:36 PM: channel4news Standing ovation for our troops.
- 2:36 PM: cathynewman Dannatt gets massive applause
- 2:37 PM: Ed Fraser Who in charge of the military then Lord Dannatt or Dr Fox?
- 2:37 PM: cathynewman Cameron says tories are "party of the nhs". Ouch that must hurt labour
- 2:37 PM: channel4news RT bailsbails: Cameron went in with Afghan a bit too soon I think #cpc09
- 2:37 PM: channel4news We've changed, says Cameron - "More women candidates, campaigning on the environment, the party of the NHS."
- 2:38 PM: channel4news We've won the argument on the Economy, he says.
- 2:38 PM: cathynewman Thought for a minute he'd called eric pickles a chump not a chum
- 2:38 PM: channel4news From Jon Snow: He’s opened well, undoubtedly Afghanistan and concern for those fighting there and the families who wait at home should be his first concern…
Brown almost failed to mention them and did not do so in such compassionate terms.
However both parties have now given the fighting men a standing ovation. But the equipment issue seems to be becoming overly party political. His Dannattry may back fire on him - the General is regarded by his peers as a (loose canon).
- 2:39 PM: channel4news He refers to the death of his eldest son this year, and says his wife is "what sustains me most". www.channel4.com
- 2:40 PM: cathynewman Cameron says family, community, country is his DNA
- 2:40 PM: channel4news "I have some simple beliefs," he says. "Above all, the importance of family."
- 2:40 PM: channel4news RT @MarkReckons Cameron looking tearful as he talks about his son Ivan. Genuinely moving. #cpc09
- 2:41 PM: channel4news I want every child to have the chances that I had, he says.
- 2:42 PM: channel4news He said it - society's broken. As is politics and the economy, he says.
- 2:43 PM: channel4news Not everything Labour did is wrong, he says, but there is not a government solution for every issue an initiative.
- 2:43 PM: cathynewman Cameron gets a laugh criticising laws so bureaucratic even the attorney general can't obey them
- 2:43 PM: channel4news RT @alextomo C - wants every child to have the chances he had (presumably doesn't mean entry to Eton).
- 2:44 PM: channel4news From Jon Snow: Loved his reference to the John Prescott of the Conservative Party, Eric Pickles: ‘"my chum and your chum".
Chum I haven't heard in a bit - but then neither had I heard the word "chump" in a long long time until Mandelson says he used it at Labour's conference…
- 2:44 PM: channel4news RT @benjamincohen Cameron: laws so complicated even the attorney general can't keep them!
- 2:44 PM: FactCheck Cameron says national debt doubling - depends how you measure it #cpc09
- 2:45 PM: channel4news "The clearest sign of big government irresponsibility is the enormous size of our debt," he says.
- 2:45 PM: malcolm boughen Praise for devolution, minimum wage and civil partnerships
- 2:46 PM: channel4news For me the only option, we must pay down the deficit.
- 2:47 PM: channel4news Video update: the grand opening.
- 2:47 PM: Matt Conservatives supporting devolution. Oh my!
- 2:47 PM: channel4news RT: @PlaceFarm: Are any Tories tweeting on #cpc09 or is twitter really so left wing?
- 2:47 PM: channel4news