Just back from Labour Conference. I have to say it seemed pretty subdued, if not exactly openly mutinous. Brown clearly tried to pull out all the stops on his speech. Getting his wife to introduce him was a slightly cheesy approach, but it just about worked. Shame she didn't exactly dress for the occasion though!

The trouble with Brown's attempt to make himself appear more human is that it clearly took a superhuman effort. And I still get no sense of vision from the man, just a sort of plodding desperation. It almost brings back memories of the days of IDS and the "quiet man" disaster (ok, maybe that's a bit harsh...).

Brown's only saving grace is the lack of an obvious alternative. Miliband just doesn't seem to have the clout or gravitas, and he definitely needs to raise his media game - too many silly grins and broadsheet shots of him clasping bananas etc. He's a year older than Cameron, but he doesn't have his polish or charisma, in my opinion.

Labour are suffering from the problem that the Tories had for years - a flailing and increasingly unpopular leader, but no obvious replacement. Not a nice place to be.

Roll on Tory Conference, it should be a lot more fun!