What will Gordon say?

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

In an interview with this week’s New Statesman, Gordon Brown says nervously:

“I’ve got my ideas and I’ve got my views about the future, and it’s my duty and my responsibility to get these across. I accept that you’re dealing on occasion with a very hostile opposition and media, but it’s my duty to get my views across.”

And, he says, the next election will be the “big choice” election.

We’ve already seen what Brown thinks about New Labour’s challenge in post-recession Britain in his Prospect article, but what is he likely to say in his big speech to conference and the nation on Tuesday?

I’m told the speech will build on the rhetoric heard in the US Congress, at TED and at the UN yesterday about the economic and environmental challenges we face. But there’s also likely to be substance – and even a couple of new policy announcements. Here a few thoughts on what those announcements might be:

* There will be a referendum on voting reform at the same time as the general election.

* Britain will commit to a full network of High Speed Railways.

* Compounding what’s already been said, the PM will speak of a nuclear-free future and fully signal the intention to replace Trident with three new subs rather than four.

* The PM will accept the challenge thrown down by Sky News to debate David Cameron and Nick Clegg in the run up to the next election.

* He will signal beyond doubt the date of the election.