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Sarah dazzles with paean to 'hero husband who puts his country first'
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor29 Sep 2009
A tearful Sarah Brown electrified the conference today as she praised Gordon Brown as "my husband, my hero".
In an emotional address, the Prime Minister's wife said she loved Mr Brown more than ever and told the country that he was fighting on their behalf.
For the second year running, she won a standing ovation as she provided an unexpected introduction for MrBrown's keynote speech.
At times visibly moved, Mrs Brown gave an intensely personal tribute to her husband, stating that he woke up every day thinking how he could improve the country.
"Gordon and I have been married for nine years now. We've seen each other through some tough times, had some great times and will be together for all time," she said.
"Because we have been together for so long, I know he's not a saint. He's messy, he's noisy, he gets up at a terrible hour. But I know that he wakes up every morning and goes to bed thinking about the things that matter. I know he loves our country and I know that he will always, always put you first."
Mrs Brown said that the first time she met Mr Brown she was struck "how somebody so intense and so intelligent could be so gentle, could ask so many questions, could really care. He will always make the time for people, for our family, for his friends, for anyone who needs him. That's part of the reason why I love him as much as I do."
To further applause and cheers, she said: "That is what makes him the man for Britain too. Gordon has got a tough job. I wouldn't want it for the world. But each day I'm thankful that he's the one who has it. That he's the one that chooses the policies and makes the calls because I've seen what a Prime Minister's day is like, up close.
"I've seen how Gordon and his ministers have to square up to big choices, huge challenges, serious times. And I've seen what can happen as a result of the changes government make."
Mrs Brown said it had been an honour to hear Labour activists' stories, adding: "Thank you for letting us into your lives and thank you for giving Gordon the chance to change so many lives."
She said Labour governments had always made this country "better" and introduced a video showing how "Gordon's government is doing that".
Mrs Brown, whose appearance was kept secret until the very last moment, introduced the video featuring economist Joseph Stiglitz and former UN secretary general Kofi Annan. U2's Bono claimed that Mr Brown had "put the 'great' back into Great Britain".
After Mr Brown finished his address, he grabbed his wife as they shared the stage for the applause.
Reader views (9)
He must be putting Scotland first as he's done nothing for England and Wales.
- Steve, London, 30/09/2009 08:24
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Do you think anything will change with a Conservative Government then? David Cameron is weak. I like 'Gordon' as a person but I don't think he is strong enough, either, to run 'the mess that our country is in'. Mrs Brown has certainly held her own and has done a lot during her stint as First Lady. Kudos to them for being happy!
- Ashley Smithson, st albans, 30/09/2009 06:23
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God she is easily pleased isn't she?
- P Staker, Londonistan., 29/09/2009 23:56
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'..stating that he woke up every day thinking how he could improve the country.'
Obviously leaving it has never occurred to him.
To wheel your wife on at what is for the PM a professional meeting says that he can't find a peer in his profession willing to do the job.
Which may well be true.
Here's another example of sport being a more adult occupation than politics: if a premier footballer hit a rough patch, you can't imagine that a testimonial from his wife would help sway his selection for the next game, would you?
- Mdj E10, london uk, 29/09/2009 20:20
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9 years of hell for the rest of us!
- James, london, 29/09/2009 19:22
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That Bono approves of brown is yet another nail in his coffin.
- Scotty, london, 29/09/2009 18:06
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"puts his country first"? You're a bit confused, Sarah. Your man and Nick ("I love Europe") Clegg signed off on the Lisbon Treaty that makes this country into a province of the E.U. Just one of 27 new provinces. A new Ohio or Ontario. He certainly did not "put his country first"!!!
- Phil Jones, London UK, 29/09/2009 17:42
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What, Scotland?
- Albert Swift, Aberdeen, Scotland, 29/09/2009 16:39
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Oh purrlease - pass me the chunder bucket.
- Isabel, Woking, 29/09/2009 16:39
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