Brown's bid for power

Gordon Brown hardened his claim to be Labour's leader in waiting today with a call to unite in a "shared national purpose".

The Chancellor won a rapturous reception in Brighton for a speech that although loyal to Tony Blair was geared to wring the maximum applause from his audience of party activists and union members.

His sweeping address ranged from solving poverty in Africa to giving working mothers better childcare at home.

Sweating profusely as he clutched the podium with evangelical fervour, Mr Brown plundered the emotional lexicon, urging delegates to be "pioneers for justice" and to "reach out into every neighbourhood and build a progressive consensus".

Mr Brown began with a tribute to Mr Blair and an appeal for support "in these difficult times" over Iraq. He was careful to avoid opening divisions with the Prime Minister but delivered a measured attack on the reforms of "contracts, markets and exchange" associated with rival Alan Milburn.

It came at the end of one of the most emotional passages of his speech, in which he drew on the death of his baby daughter Jennifer.

Mr Brown said the tragedy brought home to him the ethic of public service at work. "In times of sorrow and of great joy, I have seen it at first hand," he said. "I have seen doctors and nurses showing only exceptional skill and professionalism, extraordinary care and friendship. Carers whose unbelievable compassion and support can transform despair into hope."

He then added, in what was seen as a clear criticism of Mr Milburn's foundation hospitals: "There are values far beyond those of contracts, markets and exchange."

To the relief of Labour officials, the speech contained no hint of the anger Mr Brown is said to harbour over being sidelined from the election campaign in the recent reshuffle. Neither did he say anything that could be seen as a challenge to Mr Blair's leadership - though some saw it as a show of strength to potential rivals when the Prime Minister eventually steps down.

The Chancellor name-checked Cabinet colleagues in the manner of a serving Prime Minister. Striking a defiant tone, he twice quoted from his speech at last year's conference that was greeted as a naked claim to Mr Blair's job. He said: "Ours is a vision that works for Britain not in spite of our Labour values, but as I said last year, because of our

Labour values."

And he made clear he believes his own stewardship of the economy is now Labour's strongest trump card. The Chancellor repeatedly cited the strength of the economy as the bedrock of the Government's achievements in office and as the key to winning a historic third term.

He added: "So let me say honestly to the party and the country, that in order to meet the long-term challenges ahead we must and will take no risks with the long-term policies for stability and prudence that I have and will set out. We will never be complacent about stability.

"From being the party not trusted with the economy, Labour is today the only party trusted with the economy."

Some observers felt his use of the word trust, both in his speech and in interviews beforehand, was a calculated contrast to Mr Blair's lack of trust among voters over Iraq. And it was notable that although Mr Brown backed the Prime Minister over the hostage crisis, he made no defence of the decision to go to war in the first place.

Mr Brown hinted at new manifesto policies, including new education courses for adults with no basic skills. One radical plan is to allow couples to share a full year of paid leave after having a child. The scheme - described as a "goal for the manifesto" rather than a promise - could mean a mother taking nine months off on maternity pay with the father having three months.

Mr Brown was rewarded with a standing ovation lasting three minutes and 24 seconds. Mr Blair clapped and smiled throughout while John Prescott looked dour. By far the biggest cheers were for his pledges to speed up international action to cut child deaths and ease poverty in Africa. The Chancellor repeatedly returned to the theme that the Government had barely begun to make the changes needed for Britain. Declaring himself to be "more idealistic than ever" he declared: "We will not rest until millions denied opportunity can achieve their aspirations."

And he urged: "We can build a progressive consensus that inspires the country, a consensus that prosperity and justice for all can advance together."

Aides, when asked what was the meaning of progressive consensus said it referred to a combination of policies to advance social justice and prosperity, with a belief that party members should reach out like evangelists to sell their ideals beyond the party.

The first sign of a counterattack against Mr Brown came an hour later when Mr Milburn spoke at a fringe meeting.

Dismissing the idea that Labour could win simply on its economic record he said: "My view is this: simply screaming louder and louder about our achievements in the past is not necessarily the way to get through to the public."