Next month’s gathering of the Labour Party in Liverpool is set to be quite the event.
After 13 annual conferences (one was cancelled because of Covid) spent listening to frontbenchers talking about what they might do if they win, there will be unalloyed joy among the faithful at knowing promises made by shiny new ministers stand a good chance of being delivered.
While the week in Liverpool will be a victory lap for members and activists, the conference will be a litmus test for Keir Starmer’s leadership in the face of a challenging national approval rating.
One of the central issues he will face is the escalating conflict in Gaza, which will test the prime minister’s ability to balance the competing pressures of international diplomacy with Party loyalty.
If the conference motions rumoured to have been submitted by local constituency Labour parties are anything to go by, members are keen to hear his plan for peace, a year on from the terrorist attack that reignited this conflict. He will be all too aware that any perceived deviation from the Party’s traditionally strong advocacy for Palestinian rights could ignite internal dissent among its left-wing faction, which demands a robust stance on human rights.
Controversial oil and gas licenses could be another fault line as the moral imperative to meet looming climate targets hits the hard reality of people’s jobs and livelihoods. There is very real concern in the GMB and Unite trade unions about how far and how fast the government is prepared to go in banning licenses for drilling in new oilfields, particularly those already in the pipeline. They have the potential to block motions passing at conference.
The gathering will also be an important opportunity for Starmer to set the tone for his premiership. After years in opposition, Labour’s return to power is both an achievement and a challenge. He must show that his government is not only capable of managing current crises but also has a long-term vision for the country. This includes addressing pressing issues such as the cost-of-living crisis, public service reform, and post-Brexit relations with Europe.
Much like Blair did in 1997, it will be a moment for the Labour Leader to unify his party, inspire confidence in his leadership, and demonstrate that he is ready to govern effectively in a complex and rapidly changing world.
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