Labour Party Conference: Michael Brown's Notebook - No hairbrushes thrown by Blair

WRITING THE leader's speech for conference was once described by Neil Kinnock as "Purgatory".

According to Tony Blair, this still applies, though I doubt if rewrites of yesterday's speech were anything like as frantic as those for Mr Kinnock's attack on the Militants, when the last two typed pages only reached the rostrum as he got up to speak. Nor were there any reports of Mr Blair throwing hairbrushes at his speech-writers into the early hours - unlike Margaret Thatcher.

She once famously declared, as the finishing touches were put to a conference speech at 3am, that "this speech is hopeless; it will have to be completely rewritten; is there no one who can write a good speech?"

DELEGATES WERE angry that Nick Raynsford, newly promoted transport minister, who is threatening to announce his candidacy for mayor of London, later today, did not do so in time for yesterday's Fabian Society Forum, chaired by James Naughtie. Glenda Jackson, Trevor Phillips and Ken Livingstone faced the music.

Few policy differences emerged and Mr Livingstone remains convinced that, in spite of spin-doctor advice to the contrary, Mr Blair still has an open mind on Ken's candidacy.

Mr Phillips disclosed that he has received the thumbs-down from the Home Secretary following his outspoken comments on the Immigration and Asylum Bill. Mr Phillips rushed past Jack Straw in the corridor earlier this week with no acknowledgement or words exchanged.

RUMOURS ABOUND of a stand-up row between Donald Dewar, First Minister in Scotland, and John Reid, the Scottish Secretary, during the conference "Scots' MP Night". The shouting match was said to be "nose to nose" and the solution seems to be a move for Dr Reid to the Ministry of Defence as soon as possible after Lord Robertson goes to Nato in the autumn.

THE CONFERENCE hotel was heaving last night with delegates overwhelmed by alcohol, cigarette and cigar smoke combining to cause an outbreak of "conference throat". Delegates have been suffering hoarse voices and sore throats but Boots the Chemist has been making available free packs of Strepsils for husky delegates at the hotel reception desk.

THE ORGANISERS of the conference stands caused a faux pas by locating the Royal National Institute for the Blind stand next to the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

A huge slogan over the Ifaw stand inviting delegates to look at the issues of animal cruelty states "Open Your Eyes".

THE CHANNEL 4 breakfast was the appropriate setting for Jon Snow to celebrate his birthday. Mo Mowlam, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, led the guests in singing "Happy Birthday", while Chris Smith, Secretary of State for Culture, said the only good thing about Margaret Thatcher was her decision to create the channel in the first place.