The "great Conservative fightback has begun", according to party leader, David Cameron.As he introduced guest speakers Arnold Schwarzenegger and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg to the Tory conference in Blackpool, he said: "It is going to be a fightback based on clear policies, a clear direction, and based on the clear choice that we will give people at the next General Election."
Earlier, Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague brushed aside technical problems to open the conference with a fierce attack on Gordon Brown. Describing the Prime Minister as "not a conviction politician," but "a calculation politician", he promised delegates in Blackpool: "If Gordon Brown ever summons up the courage to call an election we are going to beat him."
Hague's speech was delayed by problems with the sound in the conference hall. Angry delegates berated conference officials, saying they could not hear the speakers. The hold-up caused furrowed brows among the party hierachy, who were hoping for a smooth start following Labour's expertly choreographed offering last week. (Sky News)