Hague hugs Tory Conference

Nonetheless, this slightly misses the point: this wasn't a speech for the country, it was a speech for the party. Now that Blair's gone, Hague's probably the best speaker in the House of Commons and his opening address was a well judged affair that attempted to lay it on the line to the assembled Conservative delegates.

First up, as mentioned, was the slightly embarrassing by-election result read-through. It's worth noting the enormous number of council seats hoovered up Labour in advance of the 1992 election, and - Mavis Braithewaite's success in Bolsover notwithstanding - how the Tories' rather meagre gains indicate rather little if Labour still went on to lose in '92. But everyone got a clap and felt good about themselves. From here the atmosphere looked - for want of a better term - comradely.

Then was the usual shopping list of political outrages caused by the Gord who:

• personally released the FMD strain from the Merial lab;
• raised taxes so he could spend it on lots of red tape;
• has never watched Sex in the City;
• smells of poo.

You get the idea.

Next, Hague donned a suit of shining armour, leapt astride a mighty white steed and galloped to the rescue of a damsel in distress. Well, metaphorically speaking anyway. His contention that Brown was not the heir to the Thatch by the use of various examples of the former's perfidy (see above) was an attempt to reclaim Maggie for the Conservatives and Cameron, following her visit to Downing Street the other week.

Lastly - and hilariously the camera focused on Michael Ancram throughout - wee Willie warned Conference that this is the week where they have to prove to the country that they are disciplined and committed enough to deserve power. 

It all went down very well but will it hold everyone together until Cameron delivers his speech on Wednesday, or is Norman the Regicide already bitching to any Sky crew that can't get away fast enough?