So the big Labour love fest that was party conference ended with speeches from the two Labour attack dogs, Prescott and Reid. Prescott was his usual bullish self, bar one brief apology, but Reid seemed to try and add to his tough man image by showing a more human side to himself. His speech was one of a prospective leadership, focusing not just on the Home Office, but on leadership, on the Conservatives, on the NHS and even on foreign policy.

He opened with a friendly nod to those critical of him, joking about negative comments made in the press and showing a letter from trade unionists who are opposed to him becoming leader. It is this warmth and humour that Reid may bring to the fore more often not least because they are traits Gordon Brown lacks. If this is the case Reid may well need some better speechwriters, the old crack about David Cameron "I thought I was indecisive but i'm not so sure now" shows Reid still doesn't come close to Blair for sharpness of comments.

It is clear from Reid's speech he is focusing more on two of the three electoral colleges, he said nothing that would appease the trade unions, yet he did say things that will strike a chord with the public and Labour Pary members in genereal. Most notably distancing himself from the US by stating we should 'tell George Bush when he's wrong'. It is with Labour MPs however where Reid needs to work on, newsnight showed he was a hit with the public, but what may swing the leadership contest towards Reid is the resentment many cabinet members are said to feel towards Brown, most notably voiced by Charles Clarke.

Reid's speech was by no means the highlight of the final conference day, that moment being when John Prescott announced this would be his last conference as deputy leader. Thank God for that.

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