Labour Party conference – live: Keir Starmer to promise ‘decade of national renewal’ in key conference speech

Sir Keir Starmer will set his sights on at least two terms in power as he vows to “heal” Britain after 13 years of Conservative party rule “ruined” the country.

The Labour leader will promise a “decade of national renewal” during his crucial conference speech on Tuesday – suggesting he wants his party to rule until the mid-2030s.

It comes after the former Bank of England (BoE) governor said on Monday that he endorsed Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves in a major coup for the opposition.

In a surprise video shown at the party’s conference after the shadow chancellor’s speech, Mr Carney praised her as a “serious economist” who was fit to oversee the nation’s finances.

There were gasps in the auditorium as a video showed Mr Carney’s endorsement. He described Ms Reeves as “a serious economist” who “understands the big picture” – pointing out that she started her career at the BoE.

The senior figure, governor between 2013 and 2020, added: “Crucially she understands the economics of work, of place and family. It is beyond time we put her energy and ideas into action.”

Key Points

• Carney: Time for a Labour government

• Reeves: We’ll restore UK’s ‘economic credibility'

• Sunak accused of ‘desperate move’ in plan to ‘overshadow conference'

• Shadow chancellor says she’ll cut energy bills to ‘get Britain building again’

• Rachel Reeves to deliver speech at noon

• Labour conference enters day two

We need to get a ‘lot slicker’ at infrastructure projects, admits Jeremy Hunt

11:15 , Matt Mathers

Jeremy Hunt has admitted that the Tory government has to get a “lot slicker” at big infrastructure projects after HS2’s northern leg was scrapped, Adam Forrest reports.

The chancellor held a meeting with “big global infrastructure investors” this morning.

The Tories seem determined to smash political convention and interrupt the Labour conference in as many ways as possible.

Labour promises stronger protection against stalkers

11:00 , Matt Mathers

Shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry has said Labour would give more rights to women in cohabiting couples, as well as strengthening protection against stalkers and sexual harassment at work, Adam Forrest reports.

“No woman should be forced to get married or stay in an unhappy relationship just to avoid ending up on the street,” she said.

She said women who report sexual harassment at work would get the same sort of protection as whistleblowers. And she vowed to strengthen protections for women from stalkers.

“It is time we treated stalking with the seriousness it deserves – strengthening the use of stalking protection orders, developing the right for women to know the identity of their online stalkers, and working to end the sick practice of stalkers abusing our court system to bring vexatious claims against their victims.”

Govt deliberately trying to ‘divide and dehumanise’ people with immigration policy - shadow minister

10:45 , Matt Mathers

The government is deliberately seeking to “divide and dehumanise” people through its migration policy, Labour’s shadow immigration minister has said.

Speaking at a fringe event at the Labour conference in Liverpool, Stephen Kinnock said: “My personal opinion is that they see the whole asylum issue as a wedge issue, an opportunity to set communities against each other – to divide, to dehumanise.”

Mr Kinnock said the government was also using migration to “fire up their base” and “deflect from 13 years of abject failure” across a range of policies, including housing, transport and the economy.

He added: “I think their strategy is backfiring in a very big way because the more they focus public attention on the issue, the more they expose the utter incompetence, neglect and arrogance that they have shown over the last 13 years.”

Government has no evidence to back up nature recovery claims, say campaigners

10:31 , Matt Mathers

The government has no evidence to back up a recent claim it made saying the UK is on track to meet its internationally-agreed targets on improving nature, campaigners have said.

After the Wildlife and Countryside Link (WCL) found there to be just over 3 per cent of land and up to 8 per cent of sea protected for nature – when the target is 30 per cent – the campaign group accused the Government of failing to make headway.

Danny Halpin reports:

Government has no evidence to back up nature recovery claims, say campaigners

Drakeford: Labour wants to make Wales ‘Tory free’

10:21 , Matt Mathers

Labour wants to make Wales “Tory free” at the next general election, Mark Drakeford told his party conference.

Mr Drakeford, the Welsh first minister, said he wanted to make the nation free of what he described as the Conservative Party’s “toxic brand”.

He also accused the Tories of being opposed to devolution. Watch a clip of his speech below.

Labour minister apologises for posing with Palestinian activists

10:11 , Matt Mathers

Labour minister Afzal Khan has apologised for posing for a photo at the stall of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) at the party conference, Adam Forrest reports.

The shadow trade minister said: “I want to apologise for any offence caused by stopping by the PSC stall at this time. I unequivocally condemn the terrorist actions of Hamas and support Israel’s right to defend itself.”

Apsana Begum, a left-wing Labour MP who backer Jeremy Corbyn, was also pictured at the stall. The PSC launched a protest outside Israeli Embassy, demanding Israel “end apartheid now”, after the Hamas attack.

Starmer will promise more police to ‘take back our streets’

10:01 , Matt Mathers

Keir Starmer will launch a “community policing guarantee” during his conference speech promising to get more bobbies on the beat, Adam Forrest reports.

The Labour leader will commit to 13,000 more neighbourhood police and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) on the streets – a promise already made in January.

Starmer is expected to “call time on wasteful police procurement” which funds Labour’s plan for new officers say Labour will deliver “more police in your town, fighting anti-social behaviour, taking back our streets.”

Cleverly: ‘Significant number’ of British-Israeli dual nationals caught up in fighting

09:51 , Matt Mathers

The foreign secretary has said that a "significant number" of British-Israeli dual nationals have been caught up in the fighting in Israel and Gaza, Jon Stone reports.

But speaking to broadcasters on Tuesday morning, James Cleverly declined to confirm reports about the exact numbers affected.

"The situation is fast-moving. It is complicated. I’m uncomfortable giving numbers. Even from the Israeli government, a lot of the figures about the casualties and fatalities are as yet to be fully confirmed," he told LBC Radio.

"So I don’t really want to speculate but we do know that a significant number of British-Israeli dual nationals have been in some way involved in the terrorist atrocities.

"The exact numbers, it’s difficult to say at this time, and I don’t want to give a running commentary, but we will stand ready to support families of those people who are either concerned or have family or loved ones who have been injured in any way."

Rishi Sunak vows to stand with Britain’s Jews as Israel-Hamas conflict escalates

09:41 , Matt Mathers

Rishi Sunak has told Britain’s Jewish community “I will stop at nothing to keep you safe” amid concerns they could be targeted as Israel laid siege to the Gaza Strip following the Hamas atrocity, Lucy Neeson reports.

The prime minister addressed a synagogue in north London to express his solidarity for Israel following the Hamas attack and to reassure Britain’s Jews.

Mr Sunak said: “I know that at moments like this when the Jewish people are under attack in their homeland, Jewish people everywhere can feel less safe.

“We have already seen vile words on our streets and attempts to stir up community tensions.

“I say: Not here. Not in Britain. Not in our country. Not in this century.”

Who is speaking today?

09:31 , Matt Mathers

Labour leader Keir Starmer is the main speaker on the final day of his party’s conference in Liverpool.

Emily Thornberry, show attorney general, Shabana Mahmood, justice secretary and Yvette Cooper, shadow home secretary, are among the other senior figures who will deliver speeches.

Below is the full running order for the day:

• Shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry (9.55am)

• Shadow justice secretary Shabana Mahmood (10.05 am)

• Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper (11.10 am)

• Labour leader Keir Starmer (2pm)

• Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh (4.05 pm)

• South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard (4.10 pm)

• Shadow environment Secretary Steve Reed (4.15pm)

Live event: Jon Rentoul answers your questions on Labour conference

09:21 , Matt Mathers

Got a burning question about Labour Party conference?

Jon Rentoul, chief political commentator, will be on hand to give his take on everything from planning and energy to Covid and elections.

You can submit your questions by following the link below - Jon will be answering your queries live from 2pm on Thursday:

Ask John Rentoul anything about Labour Party conference– from elections to energy

Opposition to new homes should not be ignored, Labour says

09:00 , Matt Mathers

Pat McFadden, Labour’s campaign coordinator, has admitted there could be some opposition to Labour’s proposals to build on some parts of the greenbelt, Jon Stone reports.

Speaking on the morning broadcast round the senior Labour figure said opposition should be taken into account, but that new homes were necessary.

“We don’t want opposition to be ignored – but we have to do this," he said. "The country has to face up to this."

Keir Starmer to pledge new generation of towns on ‘grey belt’ – and more devolution

08:45 , Matt Mathers

Keir Starmer will take to the stage at Labour conference in Liverpool today to give his keynote speech – we have a few ideas of what’s in store. Trailed extracts of his address suggest the opposition leader will focus on housebuilding and devolution – promising a “decade of national renewal”, Jon Stone reports.

According to the Guardian, Sir Keir will promise new powers to all towns and cities in England to invest, deliver homes, and create jobs. Echoing rhetoric from Labour mayors like Andy Burnham, Sir Keir will promise to "win the war against the hoarders in Westminster" and "put communities in control".

This would take the form of more "combined authorities" like Greater Manchester, where councils work together as regions. The model could be extended across the country.

Other powers given to all local authorities would include the ability to take control of bus franchising, as in big cities. And all metro mayors would get control lover adult education, as is current the case in some larger cities.

But perhaps the most eye-catching of the proposals expected to be delivered from the stage is on housebuilding.

According to The Times Sir Keir will promise "a big build" – and release what are deemed low quality areas of greenbelt such as scrubland and car parks for development around cities. He will specify that half of all homes must be built for affordable prices. Labour will also promise a string of new towns along the model of post-war developments.

The opposition is also planning to be prescriptive about architecture, promising "Georgian-style townhouses" in urban areas.A Labour government would be “totally focused on the interests of working people”, Sir Keir will promise, stating that easing the financial burden on hard-pressed families would mean “getting our future back”.

In a sign that he will resist further tax rises while people’s living standards are squeezed, Sir Keir will say: “We should never forget that politics should tread lightly on peoples’ lives, that our job is to shoulder the burden for working people – carry the load, not add to it.”

‘Labour stands with Israel'

08:35 , Matt Mathers

Pat McFadden, Labour’s national campaign co-ordinator, declined to tell people not to protest in support of the Palestinian people, but made clear his party stands with Israel’s right to retrieve those taken hostage by Hamas.

He told Times Radio: “I’m not going to police protest. What I’m going to make clear is the Labour Party stands with Israel, stands with its right to defend itself. Stands with its right to get its own people back who have been taken hostage. And its right to use force to do so.”

Mr McFadden said the consequences of Hamas’s actions will have been known to the militant group and “if they wanted to show more concern for Palestinian civilians right now what they would do is they would return every single hostage that was taken, and they would do it today”.

2019 Red Wall voters preparing to switch to Labour - poll

08:25 , Matt Mathers

Red Wall voters who backed the Tories in 2019 are preparing to switch back to Labour, new polling by More in Common suggests.

But director Luke Tryl warned the analysis showed Labour was winning “by default” due to a collapse in support for the Conservatives rather than any great love for the opposition.

“The only way the party will turn that broad but shallow support into something deeper is to move on from prosecuting what the Tories have done wrong, and start setting out what they’d do better,” he told Politico.

Meanwhile, a separate YouGov poll for the Scottish Fabian Society showed Labour was closing in on the SNP north of the border, with 32 per cent of respondents saying they would back Starmer’s party compared to 33 per cent for the nationalists.

‘No equivalence’ between Israel bombings of Gaza and Hamas attacks, says foreign secretary

08:15 , Matt Mathers

The UK’s foreign secretary has said there is "no equivalence" between Hamas’s attacks on Israel and Israel’s bombing of the Gaza Strip.

James Cleverly told Sky News that it was "completely inappropriate" to suggest there was a "balancing act" between the two.

"The truth is that the reason we express our solidarity with the people of Israel is because terrorists took action to murder, to kidnap, and we’re now seeing reports that they are threatening to execute people that they have kidnapped," he said.

"The idea that somehow there is an equivalence, there is a kind of a balancing act between the actions of the Israeli government and their self defence, and the actions of Hamas and their terrorists, is completely inappropriate.

"I wouldn’t want to do anything which would imply that to be the case. Of course, we want to see the minimisation of loss of life."

An Israeli embassy spokesperson said on Monday that at least 900 people had been killed in Israel in the fighting so far, with the majority civilians. Another 2,500 have been wounded. Hamas has also taken hostages.

Airstrikes on Gaza have killed close to 700 people as of Monday, including 140 children, according to the Gaza health ministry.

Foreign secretary urges Palestine supporters not to attend protests

08:05 , Matt Mathers

As we reported earlier, James Cleverly has been speaking to Sky News about protests in London over the conflict in Israel.

He urged supporters of Palestine not to attend the gatherings, said it could cause distress during what is a “difficult, delicate situation”

Jon Stone reports: The foreign secretary has urged supports of Palestine not to attend protests, after demonstrations took place in London.

Speaking during an interview on Sky News, James Cleverley said the world was facing "a difficult, delicate situation".

"There is no need, there’s no necessity for people to come out. It causes distress," he added.

Mr Cleverly said the protests were causing concern in the Jewish community, "who have often been on the receiving end of prejudice and threats of violence".

"There’s no need for this at all. I would encourage them just to pause," he said.

Mr Cleverly also said he would not share a platform with the Palestinian ambassador to the UK, Husam Zomlot.

"I’ve met with him, I speak with him. Maintaining diplomatic relations is important," he said.

"But I have said that Palestinian voices, particularly those in leadership positions, should criticise the appalling behaviour, the atrocious actions, that have been perpetrated by Hamas.

"These indiscriminate killings, these murders, these kidnaps, these terrorist actions, should be condemned by the leadership of the Palestinian Authority, because otherwise there will be this perception that all Palestinians support Hamas, and they don’t."

Towns and cities to get new powers in expansion of devolution

07:50 , Matt Mathers

Towns and cities across England will get new powers to boost their economies under Labour plans for an expansion of devolution.

Starmer will use his conference speech to say that councils and combined authorities would get more control over housing and planning, skills, energy and transport of the kind currently held by London, the West Midlands and Greater Manchester, The Guardian reports.

“If we want to challenge the hoarding of potential in our economy then we must win the war against the hoarders in Westminster,” he is expected to say.

“Give power back and put communities in control.”

Foreign secretary condemns burning of Israel flags

07:35 , Matt Mathers

The foreign secretary has condemned protests in London overnight during which Israel flags were burned.

Speaking to Sky News, James Cleverly said the government respects the right to peaceful protests but criticised those supporting Hamas, which is designated a terrorist organisation in the UK and other countries.

“Therefore it is an offence to fly their banners,” he said. “Of course what we want to see is all communities - including Jewish communities in the UK - feel safe and secure”.

Labour to build ‘new generation’ of townhouses

07:20 , Matt Mathers

Labour will build a “new generation” of Georgian-style townhouses in urban areas as plans for a decade in power.

Sir Keir Starmer will use his keynote speech at Labour conference to say that the houses will be developed by state-backed companies, according to The Times.

They will be built using compulsory purchase powers, with a cap on what landowners can charge, to free cash for local amenities.

Doctors’ surgeries, schools, transport links and other infrastructure would be “hardwired” into the plans, with sites in Cambridge and the M1 corridor around Milton Keynes among the areas being considered.

What would Rachel Reeves as chancellor mean for the country – and your pocket?

07:11 , Matt Mathers

The shadow chancellor is currently on course to be the first woman to take control of the nation’s finances – and has won the backing of former Bank of England governor Mark Carney. So, asks Sean O’Grady, what would she put in her first Budget, and how would that affect you?

What would Rachel Reeves as chancellor mean for the country?

Rachel Reeves says Liz Truss is 'still leading' Tory party

06:30 , Joe Middleton

Rishi Sunak insists ‘terrorism will not prevail’ as he pledges support to Israel after Gaza attacks

05:30 , Joe Middleton

Rishi Sunak has condemned the “horrific violence” unleashed by Hamas on the people of Israel, insisting “terrorism will not prevail”.

The prime minister hailed Britain’s “solidarity” with the people of Israel, days after Hamas gunmen crossed the border in surprise attacks by land, sea and air.

Mr Sunak spoke movingly of the innocent teenagers gunned down “in cold blood” at a festival of peace, and of the murder of whole families. And he said the “inhuman” attacks “will not stand”, promising his support to Israeli authorities and British citizens caught up in the attacks.

‘Terrorism will not prevail’: Rishi Sunak pledges support to Israel

Rwandan asylum system ‘woefully deficient’, Supreme Court told

03:30 , Joe Middleton

Rwanda is an “authoritarian, one-party state” with a “woefully deficient” asylum system, lawyers representing migrants facing deportation to the east African nation have told the Supreme Court.

The Home Office is challenging a Court of Appeal ruling from June that the UK’s multimillion-pound deal with Rwanda over the processing of asylum claims was unlawful.

During the first of a three-day hearing over the case, Raza Husain KC, representing a number of asylum seekers, said Rwanda “imprisons, tortures and murders those it considers to be its opponents”, adding that Home Office officials had “repeatedly recorded their concerns about it”.

Rwandan asylum system ‘woefully deficient’, Supreme Court told

David Lammy condemns Hamas’s attack on Israel during Labour conference

01:30 , Joe Middleton

Restoring 0.7% aid target not day-one priority for Labour government, Nandy says

Tuesday 10 October 2023 00:30 , Joe Middleton

Labour would not immediately restore the 0.7% aid target if it wins the next election, but aim to do so “as soon as the fiscal situation allows”, Lisa Nandy has said.

The shadow international development secretary also suggested reinstating an independent Department for International Development would not be a priority for the party.

Rishi Sunak temporarily slashed the target to spend 0.7% of national income on official development assistance (ODA) to 0.5% from 2021 when he was chancellor, with the lower goal still in place due to ongoing economic pressures.

Restoring 0.7% aid target not day-one priority for Labour government, Nandy says

Rishi Sunak admits list of HS2 replacement projects just ‘illustrative’ and not pledges

Monday 9 October 2023 23:30 , Joe Middleton

Rishi Sunak has admitted that some of the promised transport projects he said would get money from cancelling HS2 were only “illustrative” and not meant as pledges.

There has been widespread criticism of the PM’s Network North plan after it emerged that some projects already exist, while others were dropped from an initial government press release.

Since the big move to axe HS2’s northern section, first revealed by The Independent, the prime minister has repeatedly promised that “every penny” of the £36bn removed from HS2 would go to transport alternatives.

Sunak admits list of HS2 replacement projects just ‘illustrative’ and not pledges

Starmer eyes decade of Labour rule as he vows to ‘heal’ Britain

Monday 9 October 2023 22:33 , Matt Mathers

Despite the huge poll lead enjoyed by his party, Sir Keir is expected to acknowledge that some voters still need to a reason to back his party at the general election expected in 2024.

With critics suggesting Labour has benefited from anger at the Tories rather than a desire to see Sir Keir in No 10, aides said his speech to the conference in Liverpool would answer the question: “Why Labour?”

A Labour government would be “totally focused on the interests of working people”, he will promise that easing the financial burden on hard-pressed families would mean “getting our future back”.

Read the full story here.

Sunak grilled by voter in awkward exchange: ' Why should be vote for you?'

Monday 9 October 2023 22:19 , Joe Middleton

Rishi Sunak insists ‘terrorism will not prevail’ as he pledges support to Israel after Gaza attacks

Monday 9 October 2023 20:50 , Joe Middleton

Rishi Sunak has condemned the “horrific violence” unleashed by Hamas on the people of Israel, insisting “terrorism will not prevail”.

The prime minister hailed Britain’s “solidarity” with the people of Israel, days after Hamas gunmen crossed the border in surprise attacks by land, sea and air.

Mr Sunak spoke movingly of the innocent teenagers gunned down “in cold blood” at a festival of peace, and of the murder of whole families. And he said the “inhuman” attacks “will not stand”, promising his support to Israeli authorities and British citizens caught up in the attacks.

‘Terrorism will not prevail’: Rishi Sunak pledges support to Israel

Rishi Sunak admits list of HS2 replacement projects just ‘illustrative’ and not pledges

Monday 9 October 2023 19:31 , Joe Middleton

Rishi Sunak has admitted that some of the promised transport projects he said would get money from cancelling HS2 were only “illustrative” and not meant as pledges.

There has been widespread criticism of the PM’s Network North plan after it emerged that some projects already exist, while others were dropped from an initial government press release.

Since the big move to axe HS2’s northern section, first revealed by The Independent, the prime minister has repeatedly promised that “every penny” of the £36bn removed from HS2 would go to transport alternatives.

Sunak admits list of HS2 replacement projects just ‘illustrative’ and not pledges

Rachel Reeves says Labour will 'rebuild' Britain's economy after 'wreckage of Tory misrule'

Monday 9 October 2023 18:50 , Joe Middleton

Labour’s Iron Lady? How ‘boring, snoring’ Rachel Reeves roared into contention

Monday 9 October 2023 18:00 , Matt Mathers

The politician once dismissed as reliably dull gave a barnstorming conference speech, writes Andrew Grice – and now Reeves looks not just like our first female chancellor, but a future leader

Read Andrew’s full comment piece here:

How ‘boring, snoring’ Rachel Reeves roared into contention

Welcome to the Rachel Revolution – where the less you say, the more they love you

Monday 9 October 2023 17:30 , Matt Mathers

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves wowed the Labour conference hall with a succession of weary sighs – and the more humdrum she was and the less carried away she got, the louder they clapped, writes Tom Peck

Read Tom’s full sketch here:

Welcome to the Rachel Revolution, where the less you say the more they love you

Just 9% of British voters think Brexit has gone well, poll finds

Monday 9 October 2023 17:00 , Matt Mathers

Fewer than one in 10 British voters think Brexit has gone well, a new study has found.

Research by the think-tank UK in a Changing Europe (UKICE) found that just 9 per cent now say leaving the EU had been a success.

Voters are also increasingly pessimistic that the policy will ever turn out well, with fewer than one-third (30 per cent) agreeing.

Fight for better pay ‘far from over’ - union boss

Monday 9 October 2023 16:45 , Matt Mathers

The fight for better pay and conditions in the public sector is “far from over” after a year of industrial action by hundreds of thousands of workers, the head of the TUC said.

Paul Nowak said the government has been forced to improve pay offers because of the series of strikes across the country.

He told a fringe meeting at the Labour Party’s annual conference in Liverpool that, a year ago, the government was trying to impose pay cuts on millions of workers.

“We were told there would be no money, no more negotiations. It was take it or leave it,” he said.

“Our members did not take it – hundreds of thousands of public sector workers took industrial action, often for the first time.

“The government was forced back to the negotiation table and gave a better offer.

“But the fight is far from over. We have proved we can move the government – taking industrial action does matter.”

Labour mocks Jeremy Hunt over inflation claim

Monday 9 October 2023 16:30 , Matt Mathers

Darren Jones, Labour shadow Treasury secretary, has mocked chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s claim that Rachel Reeves failed to mention inflation, Adam Forrest reports.

Labour pointed  out that she did say prices had gone up. “Odd that the Tory Chancellor doesn’t know what inflation means,” he tweeted.

Mr Hunt had said: “Oops…when the biggest single issue for the economy is inflation it doesn’t get ONE mention from the Shadow Chancellor?

“Because adding £28 bn a year to borrowing will push it up - meaning higher mortgages, higher debt interest and lower growth…”

High profile business organisation and union back Reeves

Monday 9 October 2023 16:15 , Matt Mathers

Rachel Reeves has won unions and business backing for her speech. CBI chief executive Rain Newton-Smith said business leaders will be “encouraged to hear the shadow

chancellor speak so ambitiously about driving up business investment”, adding: “Businesses will welcome the focus on planning and infrastructure delivery.”

The TUC’s general secretary Paul Nowak said: “Labour’s plan for decent work and increased investment will rebuild our infrastructure hand in hand with unions and employers, and deliver the economic growth and boost to living standards this country has been crying out for.”

Former Tory backer Iain Anderson, executive chairman at Cicero, told the BBC that it was “one of the most speeches I have heard from a conference platform in decades”.

UK would start ‘dating’ the EU again under Labour, says Lammy

Monday 9 October 2023 16:00 , Matt Mathers

Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy has said Britain would start “dating” the EU again under a Labour government, Adam Forrest reports.

Lammy did not signal any change in position at the conference fringe event – insisting the UK would remain outside the single market and customs union. But he suggested Labour would seek much closer ties – again backing a formal defence pact with Brussels.

“We had a very, very bitter divorce with the EU. It’s a divorce that went on for years and years and years … No one in this room in all seriousness would suggest you can have a divorce and … that you could get married again without even going on a date.”

He added: “The starting point for a Labour government is let’s get back to the strong partners that we have always traditionally been with our friends and colleagues in Europe.”

Rachel Reeves: Rishi Sunak is ‘desperate’

Monday 9 October 2023 15:45 , Matt Mathers

Rachel Reeves has branded Rishi Sunak’s apparent attempt to interrupt Labour’s conference as “desperate”, Archie Mitchell reports.

The prime minister on Monday broke a political tradition that the two parties don’t hijack each other’s annual get-togethers, holding a business event in Nottinghamshire and appearing on Jeremy Vine’s radio show.

Labour sources attacked the PM over the plans, branding it “below the belt and a bit naff”, and “desperate stuff”.

But, asked after her speech to the conference, the shadow chancellor’s official spokesman branded Mr Sunak’s move “desperate”.

Sunak admits HS2 replacements only ‘illustrative’ in awkward BBC grilling

Monday 9 October 2023 15:30 , Matt Mathers

Rishi Sunak admitted some of the transport projects promised as replacements for Hs2 were only “illustrative” examples of what could be done, as he was grilled by BBC Radio 2 host Jeremy Vine, Adam Forrest reports.

The PM got impatient during the testy exchange – ducking questions about the list of projects unveiled for his ‘Network North’ plans, having promised “every penny” £36bn taken from HS2 would be redirected.

Asked if it was a mistake to claim money would be used to extend the Metrolink tram network to Manchester Airport – when that has already opened – Mr Sunak said: “No … Well, look, there’s a range of illustrative projects that could be funded. But ultimately it’s going to be local leaders are in charge.”

The BBC host challenged the PM by saying: “None of this stuff is going to happen, is it?” Mr Sunak replied: “No – that’s completely not right. Do you know why it’s going to happen? It’s because actually that money is going to be given to local areas.”

Mr Vine said the pledge of “£100m for a mass transit system for Bristol” was listed – but had disappeared a day later. “You keep pointing out these things …  Money is going to be given to local mayors or local councils in all of these areas.”

Watch: Ex-Bank of England boss Mark Carney endorses Labour

Monday 9 October 2023 15:15 , Matt Mathers

Andy Burnham calls for HS2 land to be safeguarded so project can be restarted

Monday 9 October 2023 15:00 , Matt Mathers

The land for HS2’s northern phase must be safeguarded so the project can be restarted by a future government, Andy Burnham has said.

Jon Stone reports: Speaking at a fringe event at Labour conference in Liverpool the mayor of Greater Manchester said the timescales given by the government for selling off the land were not acceptable.

And he said the decision to cancel the route "mustn’t be allowed to stand".

"We need to safeguard the land. We’ve been told that the Birmingham to Manchester land is protected for a matter of weeks but that protection will be lifted," Mr Burnham told delegates.

"That does not give [West Midlands mayor] Andy Street or me or [West Yorkshire mayor] Tracy Brabin or anyone else the time to look at whether that’s viable.

"We need to actually work together. There should be a clear message that time should be allowed to look at Birmingham to Manchester to see if we can come up with an alternative solution."

UK would start ‘dating’ the EU again under Labour, says Lammy

Monday 9 October 2023 14:45 , Matt Mathers

Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy has said Britain would start “dating” the EU again under a Labour government.

Lammy did not signal any change in position at the conference fringe event – insisting the UK would remain outside the single market and customs union. But he suggested Labour would seek much closer ties – again backing a formal defence pact with Brussels.

“We had a very, very bitter divorce with the EU. It’s a divorce that went on for years and years and years … No one in this room in all seriousness would suggest you can have a divorce and … that you could get married again without even going on a date.”

He added: “The starting point for a Labour government is let’s get back to the strong partners that we have always traditionally been with our friends and colleagues in Europe.”

Reeves promises Labour inquiry in to HS2

Monday 9 October 2023 14:30 , Matt Mathers

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that Labour would launch an independent expert inquiry to learn lessons from the government’s failure to build HS2, Adam Forrest reports.

Ms Reeves said it would be led by shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh. Attacking the Tories for allowing costs to balloon. “If I were in the Treasury, I would have been on the phone to the chief executive of HS2 non-stop, demanding answers and solutions.”

She also said shadow Treasury secretary Darren Jones would conduct a review of how a future Labour government can deliver major projects on time and on budget.

She also announced a £4bn clampdown on government waste, with a target to reduce spending by half – or £1.4bn – over the next parliament. Labour will appoint a “Covid Corruption Commissioner” in the hope of recovering up to £2.6bn lost to fraud.

Ex-Bank of England boss Mark Carney endorses Labour

Monday 9 October 2023 14:10 , Matt Mathers

The former Bank of England governor Mark Carney has endorsed Labour in a shock coup for Keir Starmer and his shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves, Adam Forrest and Archie Mitchell report.

In a surprise video shown at the party’s conference after Ms Reeves’ speech, Mr Carney praised her as a “serious economist” and said it was “beyond time” for a Labour government.

There were gasps in the auditorium as a video showed Mr Carney’s endorsement. He called Ms Reeves is “a serious economist” who “understands the big picture” – pointing out that she started her career at the Bank of England.

The senior figure, governor between 2013 and 2020, added: “Crucially she understands the economics of work, of place and family. It is beyond time we put her energy and ideas into action.”

Full story:

Ex-Bank of England boss endorses Labour as party vows to ‘rebuild’ economy

Tory rule ‘greatest risk’ to UK defence, says John Healey

Monday 9 October 2023 13:20 , Matt Mathers

Labour’s shadow defence secretary John Healey has told the conference that “the greatest risk to UK defence is another five years of the Conservatives”, Adam Forrest reports.

Mr Healey used to his speech to accused the Tories of underfunding the military. “In 13 years, they’ve cut the army to its smallest since Napolean, scrapped one in five Royal Navy ships, taken 200 aircraft out of RAF service.

He also said they had “left forces families living in damp housing and let morale fall to record lows” while failing to fix the “broken defence procurement system”.

Reeves: We’ll tax fairly and spend wisely

Monday 9 October 2023 13:10 , Matt Mathers

Labour will provide catalytic investment through a new national wealth fund, Rachel Reeves has said.

The shadow chancellor said: “Labour will tax fairly and spend wisely. But I must tell you, you cannot tax and spend your way to economic growth. The lifeblood of a growing economy is business investment.

“It is investment that allows businesses to expand, create jobs and compete with international rivals with new plants, factories and research labs coming to Britain, not France or Germany or America.”

She added: “So, Labour will aim to restore investment as a share of our GDP to the level that it was under the last Labour government and to bring us in line with our peers, adding an additional £50 billion to our GDP every single year, worth £1,700 for every household in Britain.

“But we know, too, that asking businesses to do all the heavy lifting while government steps back is not an option. As our competitors understand, there is a role for governments in encouraging and derisking investments in new and growing industries.

“So, we will provide catalytic investment through a new national wealth fund. Financial responsibility means knowing when not to spend, but it also means making sure that when you invest, you get the bang for your buck. So, we will set that new national wealth fund a target: for every pound of investment that we put in, we will leverage in three times as much private investment.”

Reeves: HS2 another example of government incompetence

Monday 9 October 2023 12:54 , Matt Mathers

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves told the Labour Party conference: “Just look at the fate of HS2, a major transport project lost, another promise broken because the government could not keep costs under control.”

She added: “The question must be how was it ever allowed to get to that point? If I were in the Treasury, I would have been on the phone to the chief executive of HS2 non-stop, demanding answers and solutions on behalf of taxpayers, businesses and commuters. But, with this government, this has become a pattern.

“When it comes to getting things built and projects delivered, Britain has become the sick man of Europe, with HS2 coming in at 10 times the cost of the French equivalent.

“That is why our shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh will commission an independent expert inquiry into HS2 to learn the lessons for the future.”

Reeves sets out measures to tackle wasted taxpayers’ money

Monday 9 October 2023 12:52 , Matt Mathers

Reeves also set out a series of measures to tackle the waste of taxpayers’ money

• A crackdown on the use of private planes by ministers, which she announced with a jibe at Mr Sunak, suggesting his love of flying was because he was scared of meeting voters

• Curbing Whitehall’s use of consultants

• A new Covid corruption commissioner with a "hit squad" of investigators to recoup money lost in the "carnival of waste" during the pandemic

Reeves confirms Labour proposal to overhaul ‘antiquated’ planning system

Monday 9 October 2023 12:47 , Matt Mathers

Reeves has confirmed plans for reforms to the "antiquated" planning system to make it quicker and easier to build the infrastructure needed for modern industries and clean energy networks.

She also confirmed that her first budget would crack down on the tax perks enjoyed by private schools, making them pay VAT and business rates.

She told Rishi Sunak to "bring it on" if he wanted a fight on the issue at a time when children in state schools were being taught in temporary classrooms due to crumbling concrete.

The shadow chancellor said: "The choice at the next election is this: five more years of the Tory chaos and uncertainty which has left working people worse off or a changed Labour Party offering stability, investment and economic security so that working people are better off.

"It falls to us to show that Labour are ready to serve, ready to lead and ready to rebuild Britain."

Reeves reiterates intetion to scrap non-dom status

Monday 9 October 2023 12:38 , Matt Mathers

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves reiterated Labour’s intention to abolish the non-dom tax status, telling delegates: “If you make your home in Britain, you should pay your taxes here too, and with Labour you will.”

Ms Reeves said her first budget would see her end the “tax loophole” exempting private schools from paying VAT and business rates, adding: “We will put that money into helping the 93 per cent of our children who are in our state schools.

“I tell you, if Rishi Sunak wants a fight on this, if the party that has herded our children into Portakabins while our school roofs crumble wants a fight about who has the most aspiration for our children, then I say bring it on.”

Reeves: Labour will introduce new rules on government tax and spend changes

Monday 9 October 2023 12:35 , Matt Mathers

A Labour government would introduce a new fiscal lock, guaranteeing in law that any government making permanent and significant tax and spending changes will be subject to an independent forecast from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), Rachel Reeves has said.

Speaking from the main stage of the Labour Party conference, the shadow chancellor said: “A Labour government will not waver from iron-clad fiscal rules. nor play the Tory game of undermining our economic institutions.

“The last Labour government granted operational independence to the Bank of England. I started my career as an economist at the bank and I saw the lasting contribution that that made to Britain’s economic success.

“So, we will protect the independence of the bank, the Office for Budget Responsibility and our civil service. And, as chancellor, I will put forward a new charter for budget responsibility, a new fiscal lock guaranteeing in law that any government making permanent and significant tax and spending changes will be subject to an independent forecast from the Office for Budget Responsibility.”

She insisted “never again”, adding: “Let me address directly those who say that to make hard choices is to make the same choices as the Tory Party. To them I say economic responsibility does not detract from advances for working people. It is the foundation upon which progress is built: hard choices, but Labour choices.

“The choice to back our high streets and small businesses by requiring online tech giants to pay their fair share.”

Reeves: Tories looking ‘inwards’ and cheering ‘extremists'

Monday 9 October 2023 12:28 , Matt Mathers

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves accused the Conservatives of “looking inwards” and “queuing to cheer the extremists rather than kicking them out of their party”, adding to delegates: “And telling us what we already know – Liz Truss might be out of Downing Street but she is still leading the Conservative Party.

“The one sensible thing that they came up with was their phased smoking ban, which we support.

“However, I do fear for the Conservative Party – with such a shortage of fag packets, what on earth are they going to write their next policy on?”

Ms Reeves said Labour’s “defining economic mission is to restore growth to Britain” before reiterating her “securonomics” approach.

Reeves: Choice at next election is us or 5 more years of Tory ‘chaos'

Monday 9 October 2023 12:25 , Matt Mathers

The choice at the next general election is “five more years of the Tory chaos” or a “changed Labour Party”, Rachel Reeves has said.

The shadow chancellor told the Labour Party conference “there is no hope without security”, adding: “You cannot dream big if you cannot sleep in peace at night, the peace that comes from knowing that you have enough to put aside for a rainy day and the knowledge that when you need them, strong public services will be there for you and your family.

“The strength that allows a society to withstand global shocks because it is from those strong foundations of security that hope can spring.

“The choice at the next election is this: five more years of the Tory chaos and uncertainty which has left working people worse off or a changed Labour Party offering stability, investment and economic security so that working people are better off. It falls to us to show that Labour are ready to serve, ready to lead and ready to rebuild Britain.”

She added: “In chess, you learn to think several moves ahead but even I couldn’t have predicted the mayhem that we have seen, week after week, year after year from this Conservative government.”

Watch: Rachel Reeves says Liz Truss is 'still leading' Tory party

Monday 9 October 2023 12:22 , Matt Mathers

Reeves: We must win to change Britain

Monday 9 October 2023 12:13 , Matt Mathers

Reeves says Labour can only implement its principles and plans if it wins power.

She tells delegates of the “eternal political truth” that it is only through winning elections that the party can change Britain.

“Under Keir’s leadership, that opportunity is finally within our grapes,” she adds.

Pinned post: Labour will ‘restore our economic credibility’, says Reeves

Monday 9 October 2023 12:08 , Matt Mathers

In her opening remarks, Reeves says that a Labour government restore the UK’s “economic credibility” after 13 years of “Tory misrule”.

She adds the party will “lift living standards”, make work pay and rebuild public services and invest in industry.

“Together we will get Britain its future back,” she adds.

Watch a clip of Reeves’s opening remarks below:

Reeves about to speak at conference

Monday 9 October 2023 12:03 , Matt Mathers

Rachel Reeves is about to deliver her speech at the Labour Party conference.

In remarks briefed out overnight, the shadow chancellor vowed to cut energy bills to get “Britain building again”.

She has also promised a crackdown on ministers using private jets when cheaper forms of transport are available.

You can watch the speech live here:

Watch live as shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves speaks at Labour conference

Sunak squirms as he’s forced to deny ‘desperate’ attempt to overshadow Labour conference

Monday 9 October 2023 12:00 , Matt Mathers

Rishi Sunak was forced to deny making a “desperate” attempt to interrupt the Labour conference, as he also faced an awkward grilling by voters in the East Midlands.

The PM was accused of “desperate stuff” by holding a business event in Nottinghamshire – breaking the political tradition that the two parties don’t hijack each other’s annual get-togethers.

Adam Forrest reports:

Sunak squirms and denies ‘desperate’ bid to spoil Labour conference

David Lammy: ‘Israelis and Palestinians are paying a terrible price’

Monday 9 October 2023 11:50 , Matt Mathers

David Lammy has said Israelis and Palestinians are paying a “terrible price” for Hamas’s attack on the country on Saturday.

The shadow foreign secretary used his Labour conference speech to “utterly condemn” the “appalling attacks”.

Mr Lammy has been criticised over plans to appear alongside top Palestinian diplomat Husam Zomlot at the party’s conference.

Zomlot, the head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK, told CNN: “Israel knew that this was coming their way... It’s a consequence.” He is reportedly to attend a reception at the conference on Tuesday night alongside Mr Lammy.

Mr Lammy said on Monday morning: “Labour stands firmly in support of Israel’s right to defend itself, rescue hostages​ and protect its citizens.

“The hostages so cruelly taken – including children - should be released immediately.

“Hamas’ indiscriminate attacks set back the cause of peace.

“Both Israelis and Palestinians are paying a terrible price.

“There will not be a just and lasting peace until Israel is secure, Palestine is a sovereign state, and both Israelis and Palestinians enjoy security, dignity and human rights.”

Watch: Goverment appeal on Rwanda plan heard in Supreme Court

Monday 9 October 2023 11:35 , Matt Mathers

The government’s Supreme Court appeal over plans to remove some asylum seekers to Rwanda has begun at the UK’s highest court.

Sir James Eadie KC, for the Home Office, said: "The appeal is, at its heart, about the judgments made by government about the future conduct of a friendly foreign state - Rwanda."

The barrister continued: "Both the Government and the Rwandan government were fully aware of the likely controversy of the arrangements that were made when the deal was signed."

You can watch the proceedings live by following the link below:

Live: Britain government appeals for Rwanda deportation plan during Supreme Court hearing