Predictable but sincere

GORDON Brown has waited 13 years for his big moment at the Labour Party conference. To call his first speech as leader to the faithful ordinary may sound churlish – especially given the reception he received – but even his stoutest cheerleaders would have to admit that it probably worth no more than 7 out of 10.

That he’s not another Tony Blair was obvious. His delivery had nothing of the showman and there was no grandstanding. It was a personal testament to his Scottish values and his gratitude to the NHS which saved his sight following a horrific accident while at school playing rugby.

There’s no doubting that this is sincere, and it will be one of the key planks in Labour’s election campaign when at last Mr Brown decides to go to the country for his mandate.

And it looks increasingly like an autumn poll on November 1 or 8. David Cameron will have the chance next week to unite and enthuse his bewildered party, whose polls rating have gone into freefall since Brown because Prime Minister.

Bring it on!