Having only picked up my pass at 10.30 (the focus for a five pint conversation if ever there was one) I arrived just in time to take my seat for Gordon's 'make or break' speech. It started with a well phrased apology, with Gordon, sincerely I felt, saying 'where over these years, differences have distracted from what matters I regret that, as I know Tony does too'.
He then proceeded to lavish praise on Tony Blair before moving to map out the priorities for a Brown led Government. He listed the Middle East, combating global poverty, the threat of international terrorism, the need for even greater investment in education, the environment, citizenship and the reform of parliament.
He was assured, relaxed and prime ministerial. Most members I spoke to aftrewards felt he got it just right and that the dividing lines between Brown and Cameron - substance not style, integrity not outright opportunism and policy rich versus policy light - were clearly drawn.
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