Recently by William Green

An 11pm blog from Tory conference in Manchester.

For any late night readers, keep an eye out for The Journal tomorrow - it will be interesting to see how the Tory chums reply...

My story in The Journal today about the "blanks" in David Cameron's policies seem to have hit a raw nerve in the Tory party.

I am told that Andy Coulson - the leader's chief spin master - hit the roof when he heard about the story.

But how about an interview with Mr Cameron to spell out his plans? It seems you are too busy to be worried about the North East...

And conference attendees have been issued with an edict to be on their best behaviour.

Well, guys. I don't think you are going to like tomorrow's paper.

Foreign Secretary and South Shields MP David Miliband might have told me when I asked about the Sun switching support to the Tories was a case of the media chasing the media.

But does it represent a change in the direction of the wind - Labour is on the way out?

"The Sun was extremely rattled by the Prime Minister's speech and the attempt to spike it shows it was a very strong speech.

"But Labour has a very clear plan for the future and I am confident we can carry it out with drive and determination," said Mr Miliband.

Chief Whip Nick Brown said: "Obviously, they planned it in advance. I would rather they were supporting us than not supporting us.

"But I think people are perfectly capable of reading a newspaper and deciding their vote on rational grounds and not doing what the paper tells them."

Just been chatting to delegates after the PM's speech to Labour conference. And very interesting it was to.

"Gordon Brown has to be persuaded to even take a headache pill," was the firm reply to the discussion about Andrew Marr's pill question on the BBC on Sunday.

And the speech went down well, apparently giving Labour some material to fight for. But there was an admission that Mr Brown is a good "number two" but not a number one.

Further, there was an acceptance of there being no number 1 at all - meaning the Labour party will have to swing behind the PM.

It is grim, really grim if Alistair Darling's face is anything to go by. His face looks like misery beyond comprehension. He could even look suicidal.

Add that to the feeling of "going through the motions" at the Labour conference, it all seems everyone is very half-hearted way.

But on the other hand, it is all smiles for Business Minister Pat McFadden. When I asked him about speculation that the popular car scrappage scheme will be extended, it was a playful shrug of the shoulders and a wide smile. Expect an announcement from Emperor Mandy soon.

The sun is shining in lovely Brighton and the gossip is well underway,

A little birdie has told me that the Lib Dems are pouring their money into Newcastle North, Durham City and Berwick for the coming election. They are the target seats.

The claim will raise eyebrows given that Berwick has been held for years by Sir Alan Beith. Could they be worried about a swing to the Tories? An interesting Labour conference is promised.

Hot on the heels of FT research declaring that the Tories are ahead in the North, today's Evening Standard is forecasting a hammering in London for Labour.

It makes depressing reading for Gordon Brown as the Labour conference begins in Brighton this weekend. And it increase speculation about his leadership - although close ally Nick Brown cast doubt about any coup.

"I am the Chief Whip and I would know if anything like that was going on. That is not what the party wants. We want to come together and set out on the task of fighting our corner in the general election together.

"It will be the last big final showcase before the general election. So it is very important as a platform to air our views with the outside world watching. I am certain it will be a successful conference," said Mr Brown.

A tired looking Lord Mandelson was before the regional lobby today as he almost single handedly seems to be trying to save Labour from election meltdown.

He seemed exhausted, not surprising given the major role he now has in Government. The press briefing was even arranged through No 10, rather than his own Department for Business.

His tone was slow and deliberate, although that is more to do with making sure every word was meant.

But the Business Secretary was also wearing what appeared to be tight suede shoes. One colleague even suggested they could be slippers.

This is either cheap point scoring or a valid comment from Vince Cable regarding his mansion tax on properties worth £1m on.

He reckons there should be redistribution from the very wealthy who have large mansions. That would hit ex-Rock boss Adam Applegarth who reportedly lives in Northumberland in a house worth more than £2.5m.

"I don't think there too many of those in the North East, but I imagine Mr Adam Applegarth is worrying slightly about the tax bill on his castle," said Mr Cable.

But then again, I am not sure he will. He got a large payoff and will the Lib Dem policy ever be implemented anyway?

EXCLUSIVE

THE new head of Britain's most powerful policing body has admitted change is needed amid claims it is being a run as a multi-million pound business.

Former Northern Ireland chief constable Sir Hugh Orde made the admission to me having just become president of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).