Philip Stephens: Not yet out of danger
The best Gordon Brown could hope for was a breathing space. The applause in Manchester seemed to say he had succeeded. For how long is another question
Labour party conference 2008
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The Labour conference in Manchester is seen as a make-or-break moment for Gordon Brown as he struggles to reassert his authority over the party against a backdrop of plummeting public support
Cabinet warns Brown against big shake-up
Gordon Brown’s cabinet took the unusual step of warning the prime minister against a sweeping ministerial reshuffle, after it emerged that Ruth Kelly, the transport secretary, was to resign for ‘family reasons’
Party urged to adjust to new reality
A deserted press briefing zone, littered with empty plastic cups and discarded newspapers, is a fitting metaphor for a Labour conference largely bereft of new policy ideas, or even very much policy debate
Feuds fade as faithful sing in harmony
Labour activists left Manchester with a spring in their step as Harriet Harman, deputy leader, closed the autumn conference declaring the ‘fightback has begun’
Blooming swansong brings curtain down
So it’s official: it doesn’t matter what subject it is, you just say the same things. The template is: ‘In the past 11 years, conference, your Labour government has abolished -------, put £xxxm into ---------- for the ------- and provided free ------ for the over-60s/over-80s/under-fives’
Cancer drugs charge move ‘bizarre’
Health economists and opposition politicians expressed bemusement at Gordon Brown’s decision to exempt cancer sufferers from prescription charges
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Audio sketch: Gordon Brown’s speech
Labour delegates wanted solace; they wanted Gordon Brown to offer it. They didn’t even know just how much they wanted all that. Yet, more or less, that’s what they got. Watch Matthew Engel’s audio sketch accompanied by exclusive pictures
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Labour’s ‘enterprise revolution’ is over
The situation for start-ups will worsen with the takeover of HBOS, a champion of value to small business borrowers, says Jonathan Guthrie
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Business on Brown
Alex Barker talks to Manchester businesses for the their views on Gordon Brown’s party conference performance
Labour delegates show support for Brown
Jim Pickard gauges opinion of the prime minister’s speech at the Labour party conference in Manchester
Old hands rally round Brown
John Prescott, Tony McNulty and Richard Caborn talk to Jim Pickard as the Labour party launches its ‘Go Fourth’ campaign
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