There is little debate that the first year of the Labour Government has been fraught. Despite some policy progress, the past few months have been marked by a string of resignations, u-turns and revolts among the Parliamentary Labour Party. Business relations have become strained and the Government feels bruised by poor public polling, entering Conference as an administration on the back foot.<\/p>\n
It was in this context that the party faithful gathered in Liverpool at what can only be described as a conference lacking spark. This is remarkable, really, given we\u2019re just over one year on from a landslide election and Labour has a sizable parliamentary majority. But against a backdrop of economic woes – and the rise of Reform \u2013 there\u2019s a feeling that Starmer has tried to please everyone and in doing so pleased no-one<\/strong>, straying into the rhetoric of the right, and flip-flopping between a platform of social justice and economic growth at all costs.<\/p>\n The PM\u2019s speech yesterday was a rallying cry: Labour will \u201crenew Britain\u201d, he said, and restore much-needed pride in communities. Throughout, Starmer appealed to so-called British values of respect and decency<\/strong>, a bid to reclaim a narrative of patriotism and pose the Government as the rational, sensible antidote to Reform-led chaos and division. The speech was hailed by allies as Starmer\u2019s \u2018most political\u2019 yet, and he was reportedly speaking from the heart \u2013 the rumour mill suggesting it was largely penned by the Prime Minister himself, contrary to the usual behind-the-scenes drafting efforts from Downing Street advisers.<\/p>\n Light on policy, this didn\u2019t feel like a speech for business<\/strong>. Indeed, the PM conceded that the Government has \u201casked a lot\u201d from industry, and hinted that businesses might shoulder a short-term pinch for the benefit of long-term economic gain. There were also warnings of difficult choices, weathering storms and global volatility \u2013 setting the tone for trade-offs and compromises at the Autumn Budget next month.<\/p>\n In the room, the ultimate goal was to demonstrate change in action – to reassure jittery members and urge the party faithful for patience and trust that government can deliver. But outside the conference hall, the challenge for the PM will now be ensuring his vision resonates with voters at a tangible level amidst a political environment dominated by culture wars and polarisation<\/strong>. Rhetoric aside, will voters feel better off and see proof that the policy programme is working?<\/p>\n