3) Some sunlight amid the doom and gloom
A number of references to the sunlit uplands in Starmer’s speech — and to a few policy treats for the party faithful — helped offset the stoic talk of fiscal restraint.
The Labour leader confirmed that he would, as promised last year, bring in a so-called Hillsborough law — forcing public bodies to co-operate with investigations into major incidents like the 1989 football stadium disaster — before the disaster’s next anniversary in April. He also revealed that the headquarters of GB Energy, Labour’s national energy company, will be in Aberdeen in Scotland, a bid to temper criticism that Labour is denting the oil and gas industry there with its climate policies.
He also promised housing for veterans, care leavers and victims of domestic abuse, and new “foundation apprenticeships” to eradicate youth unemployment.
4) A robust defense of the first 100 days
Starmer was keen to stress that Labour has done lots of things since it’s been in office, counter to the narrative that the government has been too focused on bashing the Conservative administration it replaced.
The Labour leader reeled off planning reforms, ending public-sector strikes, launching new solar and offshore wind projects, a shake-up of school inspections, a new Border Security Command and a National Wealth Fund as among the government’s early achievements.
“This is a long-term project; I’ve never pretended otherwise. But, conference, make no mistake: The work of change has begun.”