There's a bit of an "elephant in the room" issue with democratic politics: one thing which is kind of obvious but no politician likes to mention, which is that the majority of the voting public - of all political shades and especially none - are plain stupid. It's one of the reasons why these conferences are important to the party leaders as, apart from ralliying the troops for battles ahead, it's one of their main chances to put themselves as well as their policies (or in the case of an opposition party several years from an election their ideas) mainly, to people who nornally don't take much interest in politics.
It's generally reckoned that Nick Clegg last week simply didn't bother trying to speak to the "general public" as he realises that he's roundly despised (fairly or otherwise) by all sides no matter what he says. Miliband in contrast was desperate to put himself across to the public in a "this is who I am" bid, which is a little cringeworthy and cheesy but sadly, probably, necessary. And to address the issue even of Labour supporters who have never heard of him (tho arguably that says more about them than it does about him).
The sad fact is that, no matter what you say, generally people don't listen - that is until the feel that it's "time for a change". And plainly we are not at that stage yet, for most people.