Harriet Harman MP, Minister for Women and Equalities and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party speaks to the Labour Party Conference.

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We've had a really good debate today on the questions of equality and I want to thank everyone who has taken part - not just those who have spoken this morning but in the debates all across the country - in trade unions, local councils and in local Labour parties - which have been part of our big quest for tackling unfairness and inequality which is at the heart of Labour.

We've covered important issues not just this morning but throughout the year and at Warwick through our National Policy Forum discussions on Disability, equality for women and discrimination against age and race.

Equality always has - and always will be - a passionate issue for us in the Labour party.

We don't think that anyone should suffer the indignity of being told:

    * Sorry you're too old
    * Sorry you can't do that because you're disabled.
    * And we are not prepared to believe that a woman working part-time is worth 40% less than a full time man

And while Labour does have 4 times more black and asian MPs than all the other parties put together - including our newest member of the Government - Dawn Butler MP -  Parliament is still not representative of this country.

For us equality is about basic fairness and human rights.
 
It makes for a more peaceful society - one which is at ease with itself

And it makes for a stronger economy - one which includes the talents of all

So that's why having worked with our Labour councillors, the trade unions and our MPs, and through the important policy discussions in the party, our  equality team of Vera Baird, Barbara Follet, Kathy Ashton and Barbara Keeley will be taking this forward.

Labour will press on with tackling unfairness and inequality:

    * a tough new equality bill - a flagship bill which will
    * strengthen the laws to tackle unequal pay for women,
    * bring in new rights to protect older people from discrimination and make sure that the laws to outlaw discrimination against disabled people are fully respected.

Just a glimpse of what can happen when the talents of disabled people are allowed to flourish was shown to everyone by our brilliant Paralympics team in Beijing.

But we know that inequality is not just the gap between men and women, black and white, disabled and able bodied -  but also the gap between north and south and rich and poor. And that's why this month work will begin by our new National Equality Panel.  It will analyse and report on how all the different elements of inequality weave in together to effect people's life chances and chart - and tell us after 11 years in government -  where we have made progress and where we have further to go so we can make further progress in the future.

We've done a lot to tackle inequality - and we've made progress.  But those who know that more needs to be done - you know you can count on Labour as the champions of equality.

The Tories are pretending they are the new friends of equality.

But.

The Tories never have and will never tackle inequality.

How can discrimination against gay and lesbian people be tackled by The Tories when their leader, David Cameron voted in Parliament to keep clause 28 - and he can't blame anyone else for that - it was a free vote.

How can the rights of older people be protected by the Tories when the Tories think that discrimination laws are a burden on business.

How can the gap between rich and poor be tackled by the Tories when they would cut Sure Start, abolish tax credits and instead give tax cuts of £1b to the richest 3,000 millionaires in this country.

How can inequality between North and South be tackled by the Tories who's answer to the North/South divide is perfectly simple - just forget about the North.

How can anyone believe The Tories when they now say they respect women's rights - when the delegates to next weeks Tory conference got in their conference pack not just an invitation to a lap dancing club. -  but a discount!

The Tories are posing as the new friends of equality - but they are false friends.

Some people say that because the times are hard and the economy is under pressure we should drop the fairness agenda; that it's a luxury that we just can't afford.

We're not going to do that.  Discrimination and prejudice is never acceptable but it's even more objectionable when you feel your back is against the wall.

And our unflinching commitment to fairness and opportunity will be central to our campaign for Labour's 4th term.