Brown to fight on despite critics

By Sumeet Desai and Matt Falloon

MANCHESTER (Reuters) - Prime Minister Gordon Brown defied calls for him to quit, vowing on Tuesday to stand by his beliefs and fight on to make life better for people living in Britain.

In a speech to his Labour Party's annual conference, Brown said that with global markets in crisis this was no time for a novice, a remark aimed at the Conservative opposition and, perhaps, potential Labour rival David Miliband.

After 11 years in power, Labour is lagging some 20 points behind the Conservatives in opinion polls, putting the government on course for a crushing defeat at the next national election, due by mid-2010.

Brown, 57, promised few significant new policies or spending measures, which may not stop some Labour lawmakers questioning his leadership. But delegates loved his performance and bookmakers said it was now less likely he would go.

"I know that the way to deal with tough times is to face them down. Stay true to your beliefs," said Brown, who took over from Tony Blair as leader in June 2007 without an election.

"Understand that all the attacks, all the polls, all the headlines, all the criticism, it's all worth it, if in doing this job I make life better for one child, one family, one community," the former finance minister said.

Brown admitted there was not much money to spend, but pledged to improve healthcare and education, give everyone a fair chance and reform the global financial system to avert a repeat of the crisis that has crippled major banks.

A mini-mutiny erupted last week when a dozen members of parliament called for Brown to go. While the revolt petered out, talk of a challenge may grow if polls don't improve for Labour.