Prime Minister makes plea for party support

Tuesday, 30 September 2003 12:00 AM

The Prime Minister received a warm reception from delegates at the Labour Party conference

In his keynote speech Tony Blair called on members to remain steadfast, trust him and not to become disillusioned.

Speaking at the annual conference in Bournemouth, he vowed to ride out the current 'rough patch' and declared that he was ready to face the challenge of an historic third term in office.

The Prime Minister suggested that he was surprised it had taken so long for things to become tough, but added that he was determined to face problems head on, saying, "I can only go one way, I have not got a reverse gear."

He admitted that he was experiencing problems retaining the public's trust, but insisted, "I know it's hard for people to keep faith, some of the people may have a different take on me. But I have the same take on them.

"I trust their decency, I trust their innate good sense."

Mr Blair promised delegates the biggest policy consultation ever seen in Britain in a bid to quash accusations of policy being foisted on the country without consideration of public feeling.

He claimed it would be "A progressive, imaginative, vibrant public debate about how we build a future fair for all."

Up to now there has been a ritual to Labour Governments, he said, where the party destroyed itself while in power and returned to its historic role as a "Well intentioned pressure group".

The Prime Minister called on members to rid themselves of the psychology "that deep down someone else is the governing party".

"We have the possibility of that historic third term. It is a big challenge, but we are up to it, so let it be done," he urged.

Taking the opportunity to make a dig at the opposition he joked, "We always knew the Tories didn't have a heart, the problem is that now they don't have a heartland."

Despite widespread opposition within the party to Labour policies on the war in Iraq, tuition fees and foundation hospitals, Mr Blair received a standing ovation both before and after his speech.

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