It’s been rejoice, rejoice, renew for Labour as Andy Burnham spearheaded his first conference since becoming Labour leader. In his speech to the party conference on 29th September, he promised to put “the country on a new path,”. Announcing measures to help health and social care with a 'National Care Service’ being implemented to help secure the future. The Prime Minister recieved a round of applause for what he believes to be a landmark policy "as significant as the creation of the NHS itself".
It seems as if Burnham is capitalising on his commitment for a fresh start with these promises, however, with the budget later this month is natural to ask, will he succeed?
During the conference, Labour's Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Healey announced that there will be a “Local Apprenticeship’s Service." This is in a bid to tackle the nation's youth unemployment crisis and will be ran by local Mayors to target the 1 million young people not in education, employment or training (NEET).
Similarly, it was a confident conference for the Conservatives.
Kemi Badenoch focused on philosophy over policy, bringing forward the party’s “Right Way” book guiding the public on how the Conservatives will govern. This seems to be a change in tactic to regain confidence in public trust. Sir Niall Ferguson in response to this “she gives us a tough diagnosis and clearcut prescription,” in relation to how to govern. Under Kemi the Tories really do believe they have a shot at government; this is a far cry from last year when most polls had Reform tipped at leadership.
To put the cherry on top, on Wednesday the party announced a landmark move in abolishing inheritance tax on family homes in a bid for what they see as a “morally wrong form of double taxation." This plan was announced with the promise that it will allow a couple to give over their main home and up to £1 million without the worry of inheritance tax. However, with 14 years of baggage behind them and a remarkable loss in public confidence all these announcements are good but getting to number 10 will be the genuine test.
At Reform, the conference was rife with controversy. Prior to it starting, a Channel 4 documentary aired to uncover issues with Reform poling and alleged findings of thousands in foreign donations and commissioned opinion polls, senior Reform officials like James Orr resigned shortly after. Happening just hours before Nigel Farage made his conference speech, it cast a dark shadow on the party wanting the keys to No.10. In a press conference after, Mr Farage denied any wrongdoing. Nevertheless, it seems like an unwelcomed surprise for the party once leading hundreds of opinion polls, and a deep wound remained throughout the conference.
Now that the party season is over, Kemi won in confidence, reviving the Tories. And Burnham is capitalising on the Kier-not-here effect and Reform's decline, taking Labour back into the spotlight.