THERE'S a mixed mood before the leader’s speech. The polls are alternately cheering and mildly depressing. There are still rumblings, particularly from outside the Party, that we should have chosen the other brother.  

Ending the day with a drink in a very lively Midland Hotel I find the mood has swung from previous nights. Relaxation replaces nervous expectation. 

Manchester is where Ed triumphed, just, only two years ago; sometimes it seems much longer. How will he cope? 

Already we’ve seen brief glimpses. Leaders tour the fringe meetings throughout conference and I’ve already seen him relaxed at Manc Night in Sam’s Chop House and sincere in a brief speech to the Arab Ambassadors, his communication much more assured and relaxed than when he spoke to 700 women two years ago in our Town Hall’s Great Hall. 

A knee problem grants me early admission to the hall and I watch the room fill up.   

Ed arrives to a brief standing ovation and begins, affectionate about Manchester, feeling older and hoping he’s wiser, and articulating an increasing pride in being Labour Leader.  

Quite quickly he relaxes. He’s much more natural, speaking strongly and without notes. There’s passion. 

His one nation theme is rooted in his experience. His parents came to England fleeing Nazi persecution of the Jews. “Britain has given my family everything”. His education at a London comprehensive brought him friends from a genuine cross-section of society. 

He talks of his faith, not a religious faith but values and beliefs that the religious would recognise. “I believe we have a duty to leave the world a better place than we found it. I believe we cannot shrug our shoulders at injustice, and just say that’s the way the world is. And I believe that we can overcome any odds if we come together as people." 

He cites examples of Britain as one nation: its defeat of fascism and defence of freedom, its post-war rebuilding of the nation and provision for all through the NHS and a welfare safety net, even our brilliant staging of and performance in both parts of London 2012 Olympics. This is Britain at its best, a Britain that can achieve great things and offer opportunities to all.

The one nation concept, runs like stream of steel through hour-long speech, with a nod to Disraeli’s 1872 speech in Manchester’s Free Trade Hall as the origin of the concept. 

Ed, like a good few successful politicians today, has attempted to humanise politics by the exchange of personal stories: not fictions but a factual account of the circumstances that made them who they are, formed their beliefs, convictions and actions.   

And it worked.  

All in the hall know his background, but the speech, delivered entirely without notes, is emotional, motivational and logical. Cleverly structured, the logic and the emotion interwoven. A comprehensive education ensures you know the 50% who don’t go to university as well as the 50% who do, and wish to harness and reward their contribution to the nation. 

For the three audiences watching, the Labour Party, the British voters and an international audience wondering about the make-up and mettle of the person who might just become Britain's next PM it seems to provide a narrative that can work.  

There’s no detail yet, that will build between now and the next election, but the speech gives a picture of the man, coherent, thoughtful, intelligent with hints of steel and a pinch of humility.  

Post-speech crowds build round the exhibition’s TVs to see external reactions. Shadow ministers are nabbed by journalists for quick interviews. The general mood, internal and external is positive.  Fairly favourable comparisons are made with Blair, the great communicator.  Ed is not expected to match those skills, but is judged by many to have come second. 

Nobody thinks the speech perfect of course.  There was little in the speech about detailed policies. Conference thrives anyway on fringe meetings and policy seminars. By the end of a day starting at 7.30 I’ve attended debates about parking, economic and business policy, youth unemployment and child poverty.  

Ending the day with a drink in a very lively Midland Hotel I find the mood has swung from previous nights.  

Relaxation replaces nervous expectation.  It’s not yet electoral confidence, but it is optimism.  

Joan Davies is a Labour Councillor for Manchester city centre ward.