The prime minister remained cool despite attempts by protesters to over-shadow his conference address.

In an address to his party faithful, who chanted "four more years" as he entered the vast Brighton conference auditorium, Blair set out 10 pledges for a third term.

In a wide-ranging and upbeat speech the prime minister heralded the creation of an "opportunity society".

In a sign of a radical third term, the Labour leader defended the pursuit of "choice" in the public services.

"Sometimes I hear people describe 'choice' as a Tory word," he said.

"Choice is not a Tory word. Choice dependent on wealth; those are the Tory words.

"The right to demand the best and refuse the worst and do so not by virtue of your wealth but your equal status as a citizen, that's precisely what the modern Labour Party should stand for."

Despite attempts by protesters to silence the prime minister, in his 11th conference speech as Labour leader Blair delivered an accomplished performance.

And he was not going to ignore difficult issues either, he said.

Baghdad blues

Iraq, the issue which is dogging his premiership, had to be confronted "head-on", Blair said.

"There was talk before this conference that I wanted to put aside discussion of Iraq. That was never my intention. I want to deal with it head on," he added.

"The evidence about Saddam having actual biological and chemical weapons, as opposed to the capability to develop them, has turned out to be wrong. I acknowledge that and accept it.

In an appeal to critics of his stance on the Iraq conflict, Blair said: "I entirely understand why many disagree".

"I know, too, that as people see me struggling with it, they think he's stopped caring about us; or worse he's just pandering to George Bush and what's more in a cause that's irrelevant to us," he added.

But, said the great conference performer, he warned that "judgements aren't the same as facts".

"Instinct is not science. I'm like any other human being as fallible and as capable of being wrong," he said in a coded apology to his supporters. "I only know what I believe."

Past speeches

Tony Blair the politician relishes the prospect of the big set-piece conference speech.

And in addressing Labour delegates, he has delivered some the most accomplished performances of his political generation.

In the immediate aftermath of September 11 he told a solemn conference that the moment to reorder the world had come.

"This is a moment to seize. The kaleidoscope has been shaken. The pieces are in a flux. Soon they will settle again. Before they do, let us reorder this world around us," he told the assembled faithful.

In his first speech as leader, in which he proclaimed Britain a "young county", Blair revealed his oratorical prowess.

While that inaugural conference speech as leader was widely criticised as being devoid of content, it put Labour's new chief on the map.

And at times Blair has not been afraid to confront his critics - last year evoking the imagery of Margaret Thatcher's "lady's not for turning" speech to confirm his intention to press ahead with controversial reforms.

"I can only go one way. I've not got a reverse gear," he told delegates.

But he has also been willing to mark himself out as a centre-left leader committed to tackling the "forces of Conservatism".

In 1999, long before the Iraq war became an issue, he had other battles in mind.

The new prime minister pledged to create a "New Britain where the extraordinary talent of the British people is liberated from the forces of conservatism that so long have held them back, to create a model 21st century nation, based not on privilege, class or background, but on the equal worth of all."

At other times, however, he has left delegates and journalists both confused and amused.

In what appeared to be a last minute improvisation the Labour leader told the rank-and-file at the 2000 party conference of his "irreducible core".

This core, he said, meant he could never "stick two fingers up to horrible foreigners".

But last year, he conceded that being in government was tough.

Six years and six conference speeches as Labour leader had taken their toll on the man once dubbed "Bambi" because of his youthful grin and engaging style.

He admitted that his premiership was "more battered but stronger within".

"During the past months on Iraq, I have received letter from parents whose sons have died as soldiers. One believing their son had died in vain and hating me for my decision," he told party supporters in Bournemouth last September.

"Another, a beautiful letter, said they thought Iraq was the right thing to do and though their son was dead, whom they loved dearly, they still thought it was right.

"And don't believe anyone who tells you when they receive letters like that they don't suffer any doubt.

"All you can do in a modern world, so confusing with its opportunities and its hazards, is to decide what is the right way and try to walk in it."

"It's not being out of touch. After six years, more battered without but stronger within. It's the only leadership I can offer. And it's the only type of leadership worth having."