Despite being overshadowed by the terrible events in the Middle East, this week’s conference in Liverpool was a successful one for the Labour Party.
A few aspects stood out. The conference was packed, speeches were delivered competently without faux pas, and there was a notable if slightly nervous buzz about imminent power around the corner. Quite a contrast with a gloomy, divided Tory conference completely wrong-footed by the HS2 announcement.
Second, the quality of Labour’s front bench is starting to become evident. Politics is healthier if it is not all about the leader, and Labour is starting to look like a government in waiting. You don’t have to like them to picture Yvette Cooper, Bridget Phillipson, Rachel Reeves, Wes Streeting et al in Cabinet, equally if not more competent than their Tory counterparts. It is not a bad thing if the Party is more popular than its leader either. Mind you, some grate already such as the patronising, rather erratic David Lammy but you can’t have it all.
Labour positively glittered in contrast to the Tories…
Two speeches particularly stood out. First, Rachel Reeves. Her speech was excellent and certainly cements a view she is a future leader of the Labour Party in waiting. Well-delivered, just about enough new announcements but, most of all, fiscally conservative enough to reassure voters.
Second was Keir Starmer’s speech. Certainly, he was helped by a demonstrator pouring glitter over him. A common criticism that he doesn’t sparkle enough was put to rest. He dealt with the incident well and delivered a strong oration.
Both leading figures talked about eliminating waste, pursuing tax fraud, freeing planning laws to build more homes, strengthening the NHS in a way which didn’t scare the horses.
The Labour Party conference will not be remembered for much due to the backdrop of tragic international events. The difference is that the Tories would probably rather wish their conference wasn’t remembered for much either…
Inside Right Politics 