In a 63 minute conference speech he outlined his "vision" for government, including tackling law and order by "preventing" as well as punishing wrongdoing.

He told conference that Sir Ronnie Flanagan's recommendations for overhauling police bureaucracy were being brought in.

The former PSNI Chief Constable had called for frontline police to be issued with personal computers, which cut the amount of time per shift officers spend on paperwork by 90 minutes.

In an intensely-personal speech, Mr Brown also set out how the UK had overcome the various crises - terror attacks, floods and foot and mouth disease - that have dogged his early days in No 10.

His conclusion - "Britain has been tested and not found wanting" - was immediately seen as a coded reference to his own performance in Downing Street since June.

Mr Brown said: "Instead of leaving us pessimistic, these three months make us more optimistic about what we, the British people, at our best can do."

Speaking to conference for the first time since taking over the top job three months ago he praised his predecessor.

"Tony Blair - for 13 years the leader of party - is now leading in the Middle East peace effort and let me here acknowledge the contribution he is making now and the debt we owe as a party and as a country to Tony Blair," he said to warm applause.

"And as the Northern Ireland Assembly meets, thanks also to the work of Tony Blair, let us celebrate that Northern Ireland is now building prosperity because it is now enjoying peace."

Although Mr Brown declined to mention his political opponents some pundits called the address an "election manifesto" as he rattled through his commitments to the NHS, education and affordable housing.

Former Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson said there was now no reason for Mr Brown to hold back from an autumn election.

Speaking after the speech, he said: "In a sense, there's almost an inevitability on an election growing both here and in the country and certainly in the media.

"People have heard what he wishes to do. He set out a very clear platform. If you ask me if there is a reason for people not to be given a chance to vote in favour of it, I would say there is no good reason."