Labour Party Conference diary

The annual union barons' ball is getting off to its usual revolting start with defeats a-go-go on the cards for Tony Blair. The T&G is on the warpath over secondary picketing and Gate Gourmet, and Unison is fired up about private firms getting a foothold in public services. Anger over Iraq is also bound to boil over.

Blair's big test

It looks like secure-your-legacy week for the Prime Minister, now established in everyone's minds as Labour's outgoing leader, as he tries to ensure he can leave No 10 with the country changed for good.

Brown's big test

It's Bully's prize-jackpot week for Gordon Brown as he accepts the mantle of heir-apparent and maps out where a GB premiership would take the fragile Labour coalition. Will he do enough to keep the Blairite hopes aloft while telling comrades he'll keep the red flag flying here?

Missing face

Gwyneth Dunwoody, below, the redoubtable MP for Crewe and Nantwich, attended her first conference in 1935, dragged at the age of five by her dad. The 70-year tradition is now over. Why is this acerbic critic of the Blair regime missing? She will say only: "Millions of reasons."

Match of the day

The traditional eve-of-conference football clash between politicians and the media was held up after the Labour team - including Ed Balls and the young ministers Andy Burnham and James Purnell - turned up without kit. It kicked off half-an-hour late and ended in a 2-2 draw. The match was played in its usual good humour; two members of the press side were subbed to help them "cool down".

Tongue-tied

Tony Blair looked uncomfortable when quizzed by Andrew Marr over whether he thought the BBC coverage of Hurricane Katrina shown "anti-Americanism" within the corporation. Deny it and he would risk a public clash with Rupert Murdoch, who had blurted out the Premier's private views. He blustered: "There were certain bits of the reporting I didn't much care for but that's my view. I'm not making any great criticism of the BBC."

Don't drink and think

Hardened drinkers are licking their lips at the thought of the Social Market Foundation's "think while you drink" party tomorrow. The host, James Purnell, the minister for Licensing, will no doubt defend 24-hour drinking ... while he is having a drink.

The party's over

Delegates, hacks and ministers are mourning the death of Labour's longest-running party-within-a-party. The Daily Mirror bash is no more. For decades, it has been the ticket to have and the place to be seen When Bill Clinton and Kevin Spacey, below, swept through the Imperial hotel in Blackpool three years ago, the

was seen as the high water-mark of New Labour. The Brownite domination of the dance floor last year echoed tectonic plate movements. This year, bean counters, appalled at the £40,000 cost, have pulled the plug.

Fringe of the day

Labour's Progress rally, with an über-modernising Blairite line-up including Peter Mandelson and Tony "Baldrick" Robinson. Do they have a cunning plan for a fourth election win?

Party of the day

The New Statesman bash, with its new editor John Kampfner - which is now the only decent party at the conference.

Quote of the day

"Turn and shake hands to congratulate each and everyone on a great victory. Go and shake hands on the platform. Go on, Gordon, have a go with Tony as well" (John Prescott goes touchy-feely opening the conference).

Good day

John Prescott, with his rousing opening address.

Bad day

Opponents of the Iraq war, who failed to win a conference debate on the issue.

Today's agenda

Morning: Gordon Brown speaks on the economy

Afternoon: Speeches by David Blunkett and Tessa Jowell.