New Labour is a broad church. Photograph: PA
Tony's speech to conference was pretty much as expected - a restatement of Third Way principle with the emphasis on embracing the challenge of globalisation and defeating terrorism. Change is the buzz word. We must be change-makers.
A full outline of the speech has been blogged by the new Guardian conferences blog, (plus predictable squabbles in the comments).
Meanwhile, some mini-observations from the Observer blog:
Tony called Ken Livingstone "a great London mayor"! Actually, he referred to "a great London mayor", by which we presume he meant Ken. Saying the name and the adjective in the same sentence was probably a bit too much.
More road pricing is on the agenda. About time too (it was, in fact, buried in the manifesto for anyone fool enough to read the whole thing).
The Middle East formula of "Israel secure in her borders and a viable Palestinian state" has become "Israel secure in her borders and a viable Palestine." There were other references to "Palestine". This is a subtle difference but an important one in Mid East diplomacy where language is politics. The shift won't go unnoticed.
In order to combat anti-social behaviour and all things disrespectful there will be "a radical extension of summary powers." Whatever they are, they sound sinister. Something for the civil libertarians to get their teeth into.
The PM has not kicked the habit of raiding street vernacular to sound chummy. "True story!"
Three consecutive Labour terms in office. It's not all bad is it?
Meanwhile, the Conservative party chooses the democratic option, also known as the David Davis shoo-in option.
