I’ve been at The Labour Party conference this week.
Confidence without complacency
The atmosphere amongst by MPs, Labour members, and trade unions was positive and optimistic that we are looking increasingly like a government in waiting, but we know that we must earn every single vote. Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting told one meeting that it is “If, not when”.
This was reiterated by my conversations with Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidates and recent by-election candidate Danny Beales for Uxbridge & South Ruislip. There is huge confidence but no complacency.
But this was a conference that demonstrated we have the vision and ideas to rebuild Britain and that we are working to Get Britain’s Future Back, because the British people deserve nothing less than a more prosperous, compassionate and fairer country.
Inspiring, serious speeches from the Labour Front Bench
Rachel Reeves, Shadow Chancellor gave a powerful speech that set out that economic security is the bedrock of progress not its enemy. She set out plans to provide a genuine Living Wage as well as greater protection for workers. I was really glad to hear her commitment to backing high streets like ours in Rugby: “The choice to back our high streets and small businesses by requiring online tech giants to pay their fair share.” 🎥 highlights
Keir Starmer’s speech was one of hard-headed hope. He focused on the concept of service, and that government has a moral duty to rebuild Britain. His message was that Labour is committed to a decade of national renewal. He emphasised that our plan is based on securing economic growth and long-term economic strength. I was particularly glad to hear him speak about Labour being committed to the hard work needed to get Britain building again, particularly the houses that people need. 🎥 highlights
I was in the conference hall to hear David Lammy and the foreign policy team set out the need for Britain to re-engage with the world: We are the party of internationalism, NATO and the UN…A strong Britain is not a lonely Britain”.
Likewise I was impressed to watch Shadow International Development Secretary Lisa Nandy’s speech setting out our commitment to doing more to tackle global poverty and to defend women’s and girls’ rights.
And also Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey MP reiterating our commitment as a party to strong armed forces, procurement that enhances British jobs and a renewed covenant with service personnel and veterans after some weakening of this in the Tory years.
It was good to hear Shadow Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds MP reiterate that “Labour is the undisputed party of business.”
Learning and networking at fringe events
I went to events about housing and heard from our Shadow Minister Matthew Pennycock about Labour’s sensible ideas to tackle the chronic shortage of affordable and affordable housing, set out last week by Angela Rayner, including a unit to ensure developers aren’t able to wriggle out of their Section 106 commitments on affordable housing.
I met people from the National Youth Agency in the Youth Zone to discuss my ongoing plans at the council to ensure we consult and engage better with young people regarding policy-making.
I spoke to my trade union – Community – about their excellent work to protect steel industry jobs and wider campaigns on workers’ rights.
I spoke to the Labour Friends of the Forces team to express my support for our armed forces and discuss Tory cuts to them.
I spoke with the Gambling with Lives team about my continuing support for all they do to campaign against the pernicious influence of gambling on lives, particularly through sporting advertising and mobile phones.
It was also good to attend a UK Music event on the music sector to learn more about their manifesto for boosting the music industry. I’m working with Councillor Robert Barnett on this regarding helping the live music scene in Rugby.
I went to the Kurdistan Regional Government reception and met old acquaintances from my previous visits there on parliamentary delegations in 2013, when I visited Halabja for the 25th anniversary of the genocide against the Kurds with chemical weapons perpetrated by Saddam Hussein.
Keir Starmer set a dignified tone on the terrorist attacks against Israel
I witnessed our leader Keir Starmer state that “In this dark hour, Labour stands with Israel, Britain stands with Israel”, supported by the entire Shadow Cabinet and most Shadow Ministers who were part of the huge attendance.
Find out more about Labour and get involved…
Find out more about our conference https://fb.watch/nCaWpBw30n/ and if you are interested in what you see and want to help us to get Britain’s future back, please join us https://labour.org.uk/#
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My videos from conference are here.
