"I'm not saying that everything's been great, because it hasn't. And incidentally, for those of you who think that you'll ever get a government where everything is fine - that doesn't happen.

"But what does happen is progress, if we have the courage and the determination to remain in government.

"And the most important thing to remember of all of this - just reflect on it for a moment - is that we did for years and years pass our resolutions, have our debates, but it never made the blindest bit of difference because we could never do anything about it.

"I want to see a Labour Party continue in government. And it will only ever continue in government if it focuses on policy for the future but accepts that government is a hard, difficult business.

"But it is a darn sight better than wasting our time in opposition, passing resolutions no-one ever listens to and can do anything about.

"That is the brutal truth - and the brutal truth about all politicians and all political leaders is that you have your difficult times and have your better times.

"And the decisions you take are often very, very hard to take. But actually it's a privilege to take them. And the reason for that is that just occasionally you meet people - and I do in different parts of the country - whose lives we've changed.

"I meet people teaching in inner city schools that for the first time have got the equipment they need.

"I meet people who have been treated by the health service and had their lives saved. I meet people - who for the first time - have been able to afford a holiday abroad because of the changes we've made and the extra money we've given.

"And I meet above all else people who recognise that for all the faults, progress there has been in these ten years.

"And if we ever forget it, we'll repeat the lessons of the past."