In this week's show we hear from Shaun Woodward, the Northern Ireland secretary. Shaun tells us that the prime minister succeeded in outlining a new narrative – his 'new settlement for new times'.
Joining Nick around the table at the Labour conference in Manchester is Polly Toynbee, the Guardian columnist. Polly says she was impressed by the prime minister's speech, though she warns that the knives may still be out for Brown.
Toby Helm, the Observer's new Whitehall editor, makes his debut on the show. Helm, a veteran lobby journalist, says that Brown's speech achieved 'lift off' in sections, though he thought it was a 'bit dreary'.
Tom Clark, the Guardian's social policy leader writer, thought the prime minister did well in setting out a social democratic agenda. But Tom says that expectations were 'unreasonably low' because people had expected an Iain Duncan Smith style speech.
Simon Hoggart, the Guardian's parliamentary sketchwriter, gives us his take on the week. Simon says there have been two conferences in Manchester this week: shows of unity on the platform but plotting in the bars and restaurants.
On the plotting, the panel agreed that David Miliband was the frontrunner to succeed Gordon Brown if he falls. There was much laughter at reports that foreign secretary had said he toned down his speech to avoid a 'Heseltine moment'. The panel all said that we should keep an eye on the health secretary Alan Johnson.
I hope you enjoy this week's show - do post your comments below. Thanks to sven945 who said that Simon Hoggart and Vince Cable sounded as if they were suffering from the same cold on last week's show. Just to reassure you: the lads are fine. We're just working from a mobile studio during the conference season. We'll be back in our Guardian studio next month.
