Hard work as Brown plays to his strengths

Who chose the music? "Those that find themselves ridiculous, sit down next to me," warbled James, the Manchester rock band, in their 1990s hit Sit Down, as Labour activists took their places in the G-MEX centre for Gordon Brown's conference speech. In a lumpy grey skirt, the PM's wife waddled to the lectern and introduced the star turn.

Out he came, beaming like an over-polished piano keyboard. One joke a year is enough for Brown and he got it over with fast. "I didn't go into politics thinking I would always be popular." Pause. "Perhaps that's just as well." A collective sigh of relief greeted that. "But if people say I'm too serious, quite honestly there's a lot to be serious about." Genuine applause now and people seemed reassured: Gordon was going to play to his strengths.

Last week's financial meltdown had been "the moment when the world turned on its axis". Astute political judgment. By talking up the threat, he boosts the value of his experience.

The future was his main topic. Building "fairness for all" was his airy and oft-repeated theme. A few initiatives were tossed our way. Free nursery places for two-year-olds, no prescription charges for cancer patients.

When Brown speaks from the heart he gives the impression that it's an organ oozing sentimentality from every chamber. He calls this country "a land full of heroes", and describes pensioners as "the generation that rebuilt Britain from the ashes of the war". Survivors of surgery aren't just statistics of "Labour's NHS", they're "the dad who lives to walk his daughter up the aisle; the gran who claps and cries at her grandson's graduation".

In a tearful moment he reminded us - once again - of a boyhood injury that would have cost him his sight but for "an operation my parents could never have afforded". He faltered with real emotion here and as his voice fractured one sensed his leadership healing. For now.

Turning on the faintheart plotters, he disguised his attack as a swipe at Cameron. "I'm all in favour of apprenticeships," he intoned slowly, "but let me tell you - this is no time for a novice." David Miliband laughed uncomfortably.
 
Brown never misses a chance to put the labour into Labour. His "values" are always being "tested in the crucible" and he loves to couple "enterprise" with "effort and hard work". With masochistic relish he announced that "tough times don't weaken us, they strengthen our resolve".

And the self-flagellant note came through loud and clear when he reached the painful subject of his poll ratings. "It will all have been worth it if I make life better for one child." Sincere, of course. But it sounded like the opening line of his memoirs. ·