Key facts
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham will deliver his first conference speech as leader on Tuesday at 2 p.m.
- Burnham's government is expected to announce a tax-raising budget on Oct. 28.
- Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is expected to highlight government sanctions against Israel's E1 settlement.
- Chancellor John Healey will set out his vision for devolution, defense, and 'growth in every postcode' in his Monday speech.
- Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh and Burnham need a plan to support households and businesses facing rising energy costs.
- Burnham has signaled he could approve oil and gas fields Jackdaw and Rosebank.
Britain's governing Labour Party is convening its annual conference in Liverpool, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham set to deliver his first speech as leader following a year of significant political upheaval. The conference comes after a drubbing in local elections and the defenestration of Keir Starmer, leading to Burnham's coronation.
Reporters will be closely watching Burnham's keynote address on Tuesday afternoon for indications of his vision and policy direction, contrasting it with his predecessor's "patient, calm, determined era of politics as service." While Burnham is expected to focus on "vibe and vision," concrete policy details for areas like defense spending and regional investment are anticipated later in the year, potentially in the Oct. 28 budget.
The upcoming budget is a key focus, with Chancellor John Healey and his team working to keep details under wraps. Lobbyists in the City of London will be seeking information through private roundtables and public panels featuring Healey and other Treasury ministers like Lucy Rigby, Torsten Bell, and Emma Reynolds. Healey's Monday speech is expected to outline his vision for devolution, defense, and "growth in every postcode" without major policy announcements, though markets will be listening for any signals.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is anticipated to assert his priorities, potentially highlighting the government's sanctions against Israel's E1 settlement. This issue has been divisive within the party, and there is hope that Miliband's approach could help unify Labour on the matter. Supporters of the Palestinian cause may push for stronger action, while some within Labour express concerns about the impact on Jewish communities.
Businesses are eager for clarity on Burnham's economic plans, particularly during Monday's business day, which includes a Q&A with Chancellor Healey. Many chief executives are expected to attend this session seeking concrete plans.
On the energy front, the immediate concern is the steep rise in bills expected in January. Burnham and Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh are under pressure to present a plan to support households and businesses, lest the promise of "breathing space" on the cost of living falter. There are also signs of internal tension within the Labour movement regarding the future of oil and gas drilling in the North Sea, with Burnham having signaled a potential approval of the Jackdaw and Rosebank fields.