Key facts
- Labour leader Andy Burnham delivered a speech at the party conference in Liverpool.
- The conference theme is "Hope again."
- Burnham's speech addressed social care, NEETs, electoral reform, and the EU.
- 92% of Labour members surveyed believe Burnham is governing well, according to LabourList polling.
- 80% of surveyed Labour members believe the party is heading in the right direction.
- Amira Campbell, an activist, questioned Burnham's framing of welfare reforms for young people.
Andy Burnham, the leader of the Labour party, delivered a speech at the party's conference in Liverpool, aiming to unite the party faithful under the theme "Hope again." The address covered significant issues such as social care, support for young people not in education, employment, or training (NEETs), electoral reform, and the UK's relationship with the EU.
The conference marks the first gathering since Burnham's rise to leadership, which some have described as a "soft coup" against Keir Starmer. The atmosphere among party members and activists appears to be one of renewed optimism, with many crediting Burnham's "empathy" and "natural instinct for connection" for the shift.
Polling data from LabourList suggests strong support for Burnham, with 92% of surveyed members believing he is governing well and 80% feeling the party is heading in the right direction, a significant increase from the previous year under Starmer. This positive sentiment mirrors Labour's broader gains in national polls.
However, the conference also highlighted divisions. On the fringes, activists debated with "policy grownups" about fiscal realities, and concerns were raised about whether the "good vibes" surrounding Burnham would translate into tangible policy delivery. Amira Campbell, an activist with Green New Deal Rising, questioned the framing of welfare reforms, particularly for young people facing mental health challenges.
Protests also occurred outside the secure conference zone. Activists, including Massive Attack's Robert Del Naja, were arrested for supporting Palestine Action, raising questions about the party's stance on the issue following comments from Ed Miliband.