Gordon Brown was gearing up for his speech, described - much like the conference speech of any leader of any party at any time in British politics - as the most important speech of his life. (politics.co.uk)
The home of Joe Chamberlain, where Gladstone called for Home Rule in one of the most rousing speeches of his life, and where Lloyd George nearly lost his life when he spoke out against the Boer War. (politics.co.uk)
Given that this was an odd - numbered year, therefore, it was time for Cameron to make — well, Anthony Seldon spelt it out a month ago in The Daily Telegraph: «Cameron's speech at the party conference in early October must be the most important speech of his life.» (independent.co.uk)