Andy Burnham 'Hope' mugs sold out within hours at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, where delegates triggered a buying frenzy over party merchandise. The £10 white mug featuring the Prime Minister's face was the most coveted item on the stall, with around 80 stocked on Sunday morning and every one gone by teatime.
Burnham speech fuels merchandise rush
The conference slogan 'Hope Again' was plastered across walls, red banners and delegate passes. For many in the hall, that hope was personified by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, whose conference speech left delegates in near-euphoria. Burnham wrote much of the address alone, touching on deeply personal moments from his grandmother Kitty's home to his late father Roy, while setting out his vision on issues including social care, Brexit and the triple lock.
Other items on sale
Alongside the sell-out mug, the merchandise stand offered a 'Hope Again' tote bag for £15, which triggered a secondary buying spree as delegates scrambled for something to carry policy leaflets. A 'Future Labour PM' baby bib cost £12.50, while a Parker pen and cross body bag were each £15. A water bottle and classic Labour T-shirt sold for £10, a clipboard and Christmas bauble for £12.50 each, and an official rosette was the cheapest item at £3.
