He proposed a referendum on electoral reform, giving voters the power to recall MPs, more free childcare for poor families and state homes for single mothers. And, true to his reputation for moralising, Brown also vowed a fresh crackdown on anti-social behaviour.

Brown began by telling his party that they were “the fighters and believers who change the world – we have changed the world before and we are going to do it again”. He told delegates he had acted “decisively and immediately” when Britain was “looking over a precipice” as banks were on the brink of failure last year, and that the Conservatives were “consistently wrong” on the economy.

Meanwhile, Brown’s wife, Sarah, told delegates that while Brown was “no saint” they had “been together through some tough times, and some great times, and we will be together forever”. He’s obviously got at least one vote guaranteed.

His speech came as the most recent survey says the Conservatives have support of 36%, Labour 24% and the Liberal Democrats on 25% – the first time since 1982 Labour was third place.

Read more: AP, Daily Telegraph, BBC News