The Labour Party Conference in Liverpool has opened with the slogan 'Hope Again', a message that has resonated with delegates despite the nation's precarious finances ahead of next month's Budget. The theme was everywhere—on walls, banners, and even on white mugs featuring Prime Minister Andy Burnham's face, which sold out within hours of the conference beginning on Sunday.
A sales assistant at the merchandise stall said there were about 80 mugs, and all were gone by teatime. Harold Wilson merchandise, however, remained plentiful, marking 60 years since Labour's victory with the second largest majority in its history. A record cover with Wilson's face highlighted his 'greatest hits', including the Open University, the Equal Pay Act, and the Race Relations Act.
Burnham's Rise and Conference Energy
Last year, Burnham cast a shadow amid rumours he would oust then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He denied it, but the past 12 months have brought significant change. Burnham's personality now looms large over Labour, with stalls selling Burnham stickers and a giant cardboard cut-out of the PM styled as the 'King of the North'. His book 'Head North', co-written with Steve Rotherham, the metro mayor of Liverpool, was given pride of place.
Delegates noted a marked increase in 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."
The same delegate was blunt about Starmer: "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."
Governing and Key Figures
Shaban Mohammed, a councillor in Newham, London, attributed Starmer's failure to his focus on internal battles: "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 praised Burnham's reception by voters, noting a recent poll showing Labour as the largest party in a hung parliament with 250 seats, 76 short of a majority.
Manchester featured heavily at the conference, with about half a dozen talks dedicated to the city and 'Manchesterism', though few delegates could define the term. Other notable figures included Hiroshi Suzuki, the Japanese ambassador, who was frequently stopped for selfies after posting footage of himself trying Scouse cuisine, and Tony Adams, the former Arsenal captain, attending as patron of The Forward Trust. Adams declined to state his party preference but said, "Whichever party [makes] addiction a priority, I will vote for them!"
Protests and Policy Announcements
The conference was overshadowed by the war in Gaza. On Sunday, more than 250 protesters gathered outside the venue, with many holding banners reading "I support Palestine Action." Police moved in to make arrests, warning protesters they were illegally holding signs supporting a proscribed organisation. More than 80 were arrested, including 94-year-old Margaret Owen, who was carried out by two police officers.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband called the actions of the Israeli government 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." Miliband also said Britain's future lies in a 'stronger, deeper partnership' with the European Union.
Chancellor John Healey emphasised fiscal discipline, saying it 'underpins every promise this government makes'. He noted that 'the money New Labour had in the 90s is simply not there now', a warning ahead of the Budget. He announced £100m for a new apprenticeships scheme and £6bn for British shipyards, including new docks for submarines. He also dubbed Nigel Farage as 'Liz Truss with a Bitcoin account'.
On social care, Burnham told the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg he wants to create a free, universal service, with plans included 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, though funding details remain unclear. Most members opposed an early election, saying the PM should wait until he has a record to show. For now, the government asks voters to believe in hope again.
