High expectations and questions about which direction the Labour Party were heading politically, dominated the lead-up to the Labour Party’s annual conference, which occurred between 25th and 29th September.
This seemed to be acknowledged by Keir Starmer and the Labour party, who presented a variety of different and new policies, from a Green New Deal, tackling violence against women, a national £15 minimum wage, and a national care service.
The conference heard deputy leader Angela Rayner presenting a plan to boost workers’ rights and ensure a fundamental change in the economy as well as calling out tax-dodging firms, while Jeremy Corbyn asked for Britain to reject the Aukus defence pact and Labour’s general secretary, David Evans, was backed at the conference, after putting his role to a vote.
With candidates now needing 20% of Labour MPs backing
Not only did Starmer and the Labour Party present these policies, but they also seemed to recognise the failures of the Labour Party in the past and present a new way to power. Starmer showed his separation from Corbyn and antisemitism by accepting the changes required by the Equality and Human Rights Commission on antisemitism, as well as presenting his understanding of the current concerns of voters.
Finally, Starmer encouraged the idea of putting country before party divisions, with reforms to change the eligibility to stand for Labour leadership, candidates now needing 20% of Labour MPs backing, in order to decrease the strength of populist or unrepresentative candidates.
Though the Labour Party conference seemed like a success, it did not go without its tribulations, with Starmer having to water down some of his policies to avoid criticism and failure.