Gordon Brown’s Conference Speech
I thought Gordon Brown’s speech was very different to the sort of performances we’d got used to with Tony Blair. It was different but I think just as good and I liked the much simpler, down to earth approach.
Here was a new prime minister telling us where his personal values came from. He told us about growing up in a supportive family, getting the right breaks in life, and then seeing some friends being deprived of the same chances and opportunities.
He also talked in the most sensitive and, I think painful, way about how he sustained the dreadful injury to his eyes whilst playing rugby and how he could never forget the debt he owes to the NHS for saving the sight in one eye.
I suppose he was explaining why he holds the values that he does, why he came into politics and what he wants to achieve. I thought the way he spoke about delivering a personalised public sector was inspirational. He very cleverly paraphrased the remarks made by Mrs Thatcher about seeing a doctor when you want, where you want.
It was very refreshing that he never mentioned the opposition. He made no mention at all of the Conservatives, never mentioned the Liberal Democrats and made no personal attacks. What was also very refreshing was, right at the end of the speech, the personal bond he made with the electorate, saying, in essence, “these are my values and I will never let you down”.
I thought it was a good way of expressing his commitment and I thought it gave a personal feel to what was a very enjoyable and positive speech.
