The Labour Party Conference opened in Liverpool with the slogan 'Hope Again' greeting delegates at the main venue by the docks, plastered on walls and red banners. The message even appeared on white mugs featuring Andy Burnham's face, which sold out within hours of the conference kicking off on Sunday.
A sales assistant at the merchandise stall said there were about 80 mugs, all gone by teatime. Harold Wilson merchandise remained available, marking 60 years since Labour won an election with the second largest majority in its history. A record cover featuring Wilson's face highlighted his 'greatest hits', including the creation of the Open University, the Equal Pay Act, and the Race Relations Act.
Burnham's growing presence
Last year, Burnham cast a shadow amid rumours he would oust then Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He denied it, but times have changed. Burnham's personality now looms large over Labour, with stalls selling Burnham stickers and a giant cardboard cut-out of the Prime Minister styled as the 'King of the North'.
The book 'Head North', co-written by Burnham and his friend Steve Rotherham, metro mayor of Liverpool, was given pride of place at one stall. A woman told her companion, who admitted he hadn't read it, "It's supposed to be the Bible!"
Delegates' views on the new PM
Delegates reported more energy this year. One party faithful said, "He's not been tested yet, it's been all vibes for far. I suppose he was tested in New York when he met Donald Trump and that went well. But the bar is so low, it fell a long time ago in terms of leadership. Any government that doesn't embarrass itself has done well. Right now I'd say we've gone from minus two to neutral. Neutral is the new normal."
On Starmer, he said, "S**t! You have to be able to tell a story from the outset. Starmer's leadership didn't have a story or natural place in the party." He added, "Blair had a story. Brown had a story. And whether you like Burnham or you dislike him, he's told a story about himself and what his vision is for Britain. Keir Starmer didn't have that."
Shaban Mohammed, a councillor in Newham, London, said, "Starmer spent half his time trying to fight the left in the party rather than unite." Neil Narva, a former councillor, said, "We're at last able to move on from winning, to actually governing." He noted Burnham's reception by voters, with a recent poll showing Labour would be the largest party in a hung parliament with 250 seats, 76 short of a majority.
Manchester and other faces
Manchester featured heavily at the conference, with about half a dozen talks dedicated to the city and 'Manchesterism', though few could define it. Hiroshi Suzuki, Japanese ambassador to the UK, was stopped for selfies, having posted footage of him trying Scouse cuisine, declaring it 'boss scran!'. Tony Adams, former Arsenal captain, attended as patron of The Forward Trust, a charity helping people deal with addiction. He refused to say which party he supports but said, "Whichever party [makes] addiction a priority, I will vote for them!"
Gaza protests and fiscal discipline
The war in Gaza was a major issue, with Labour's stance costing support. On Sunday, over 250 protesters sat outside the venue holding banners reading "I support Palestine Action." Police arrested more than 80, including 94-year-old Margaret Owen, carried out by two officers. Ed Miliband said the Israeli government's actions were a 'stain on the conscience of the world', adding, "This party will always recognise the threats Israel faces and stand emphatically against those who seek its destruction. But this cannot justify what the Netanyahu government has inflicted in Gaza and the West Bank."
Chancellor John Healey said his first duty was fiscal discipline, noting 'the money New Labour had in the 90s is simply not there now'. He announced £100m for a new apprenticeships scheme for mayors and £6bn for British shipyards, with new docks for new submarines. He also dubbed Nigel Farage as 'Liz Truss with a Bitcoin account'.
Burnham told BBC's Laura Kuenssberg he wants to create a free, universal social care service, with plans in Labour's next manifesto. "I'm going to rip the plaster off, if I can put it that way, because someone has to do it," he said. Funding details were not given, though some suggest scrapping the state pension triple lock. Most members were against an early election, saying the prime minister should only call one when he has a record to show.
