Labour Party Conference Starts Today

The Labour Party, under Ed Miliband's leadership, is experiencing a buoyant mood at their conference, with strong opinion poll leads over the Tories. Despite initial doubts, party activists are hopeful about Miliband's potential to lead them to victory in the next general election. Miliband's challenge is to win over skeptical voters by defining his character and policies. He proposes tackling vested interests, reforming banking, and supporting first-time homebuyers. However, senior Labour figures caution that there's still a long journey ahead before celebrating any victory.

What is the current mood of Labour Party activists at the conference?

What is the significance of the opinion poll leads mentioned in the text?

What challenges did Ed Miliband face in gaining the support of voters?

How did Ed Miliband plan to convince a skeptical British public?

What policies did Mr. Miliband propose to address economic issues?