Your support helps us to tell the story
Support NowMy recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
Sir Keir Starmer has delivered his first party conference speech as prime minister to a packed hall of delegates in Liverpool. In a wide-ranging address that lasted over an hour, he covered policies new and old in his address, promising a “light at the end of the tunnel” for Britain.
Sir Keir was met with rapturous applause from delegates, as well as a lone protester near the end of his speech heard mentioning the “children of Gaza” before being escorted from the venue.
Responding to the heckler, Sir Keir said “this guy has a pass for the 2019 conference,” adding: “while he has been protesting we have been changing the party.
The prime minister also said that pensioners will be better off under Labour despite the controversial cut to winter fuel payments.
Acknowledging that some may find it hard to “take that on faith” due to the cold weather benefit cut, Sir Keir said: “if this path were popular or easy we would have walked it already.”
The Independent’s political team will be reporting live throughout the Labour Party conference in Liverpool.
Key Points
- Starmer interrupted by protester during Labour conference speech
- PM insists pensioners will be ‘better off’ with Labour
- Labour to bring ‘Hillsborough Law’ before April
- Starmer mistakenly calls for ‘return of the sausages’ in Gaza
- Cooper says Southport riots insult to grieving community
PM accused of skirting around Brexit in his conference speech
Responding to the prime minister’s speech at Labour conference Best for Britain claims Sir Keir Starmer dodged the Brexit topic.
Chief Executive Naomi Smith said: “The prime minister said change has begun but made no mention of the change Britain really needs - meaningful change to the Brexit deal which continues to stifle growth, drive up costs and deprive opportunities for businesses and young people.
“Keir Starmer can unlock Britain’s potential by working with our European partners to deliver beneficial regulatory alignment and a Youth Mobility Scheme.”
Archie Mitchell 24 September 2024 15:21 1727187389Watch: Starmer mistakenly calls for ‘return of the sausages’ in major Labour conference speech
You can watch Sir Keir Starmer’s embarrasing moment below:
Starmer mistakenly calls for ‘return of sausages’ in major Labour conference speech
Sir Keir Starmer mistakenly called for the “return of the sausages” in a major speech at Labour’s annual party conference in Liverpool on Tuesday, 24 September. The prime minister was calling for restraint and de-escalation between Lebanon and Israel, a ceasefire in Gaza, and the return of hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 as well as “a recognised Palestinian state alongside a safe and secure Israel.” However, he accidentally said “sausages” before quickly correcting himself to say “hostages” instead.
Salma Ouaguira 24 September 2024 15:16 1727187289Tories poke fun of Starmer’s ‘return of the sausages’ from Gaza during speech
With Sir Keir starmer’s speech now concluded, many are rushing to offer their rections.
The first ones to go are unsurprisingly the Conservatives, who have taken to social media to make fun of an embarrasing slip of the prime minister’s tongue.
Salma Ouaguira24 September 2024 15:14 1727187085ANALYSIS | Starmer has dipped into his family again to deliver his best speech
With Sir Keir Starmer’s speech now finished, we have some analysis from our political editor David Maddox who is at the Labour Party conference:
This ended up being a very personal speech by the prime minister as he attempted to sweep away the gloom and deliver a substantial vision for Britain’s future.
He has tried using his family - his father being a toolmaker - before but somehow the stories of returning to the cottage with his children where he holidayed as a child and the respect he wants his sister to receive for being a careworker landed much better this time.
The audience had struggled through his hairshirt section on needing to balance the books but noticeably warmed to him as he went into the last section.
Starmer has come over as caring and a man with a vision.
While this conference started very badly for him with in-fighting and questions on freebies it is finishing well before he jets to New York and the United Nations.
Starmer vows a ’great reforming government’
Ending his speech, Sir Keir Starmer has listed the priority areas he plans to refor, including the NHS, the energy system, the policing and justice systems, the education system, and the economy.
He told the conference his plas is to bring “the breathing space, the calm, the control to focus on the little things they love in life, not the anxiety and insecurity we have now”.
After being interrupted by a heckler, the PM said: “People said we couldn’t change the party - but we did.
“People said we couldn’t win across Britain - but we have. People say we can’t deliver national renewal - but we can, and we will.”
Breaking: Starmer interrupted before ending speech
Sir Keir Starmer has been heckled by a member of the audience as he ended his speech.
But he responded: “This guy’s obviously got a pass for the 2019 conference. We’ve changed the party.”
He added: “While he’s been protesting, we’ve been changing the party. That’s why we’ve got a Labour government.”
Starmer jokes he has classical concert after speech
The prime minister has said that playing th eflute gave him peace of mind.
He said: “Getting lost in something bigger than yourself, or being moved by a book, a painting, a play. Even now, I turn to Beethoven or Brahms in those moments when, how to put it, the reviews aren’t that good.
“So yes, before you ask, I’ve got some Shostakovich lined up for tomorrow.”
Labour to tackle ‘economic dependency on net migration'
The prime minister has told the conference that Labour is committed to reduce net migration and the country’s “economic dependecy” upon it.
Sir Keir Starmer said: “As we take on those massive challenges the Tories ignored, the time is long overdue for politicians to level with you about the trade-offs this country faces. Because if the last few years have shown us anything, it’s that if you bury your head because things are difficult, your country goes backwards.
“If we want cheaper electricity, we need new pylons over ground otherwise the burden on taxpayers is too much. If we want home ownership to be a credible aspiration for our children, then every community has a duty to contribute to that purpose.
“If we want to tackle illegal migration we can’t pretend there’s a magical process that allows you to return people here unlawfully without accepting that prices will also grant some people asylum.
“If we want to be serious about levelling up then we must be proud to be the party of wealth creation, unashamed to partner with the private sector.”
Salma Ouaguira24 September 2024 14:58 1727186181Starmer did not mention Reform but has laid out his strategy to take on Farage
The prime minister has given over a large part of his speech to taking on racism and talking about migration, David Maddox writes.
There is a motherhood and apple pie sense to part of this in that it drew the loudest cheers and first standing ovation when he attacked the far right and racists.
But there was a wider message for the country that he is willing to take on immigration seriously and bring down numbers.
He actually defends those concerned about migration numbers and promises to improve the processes.
There is no name check for Farage or his Reform party but Starmer is in effect outlining how they are going to take on the populist surge of support.
Country must move beyond ‘toxic’ debate on migration - PM
The prime minister has urged the country to move beyond the “toxic” debate about migration.
He said: “It’s about control of migration, it’s always been about control.
“That is what people have voted for, time and again. And look, they weren’t just ignored after Brexit. The Tories gave them the exact opposite, an immigration system deliberately reformed to reduce control. Because in the end they are the party of the uncontrolled market.”
Salma Ouaguira24 September 2024 14:55 Newer1 / 10OlderDisclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
