Labour says it will grow every corner of our country
Labour is ready to answer our country’s call for change – that was the message I heard at the biggest and best Labour Party annual conference I’ve attended in more than a decade.
As Labour’s Shadow Minister for Local Government, Faith and Communities, it was a privilege to speak at so many inspiring fringe meetings, not least the fantastic LGA Labour ‘Rally for local government’, which saw hundreds of councillors pack out a giant auditorium.
There was an incredible energy in the room, and a real pride that recent local election success has seen Labour establish itself firmly as the largest party in local government.
The message from Labour councillors was loud and clear – that local government craves stability, deserves respect, and needs a fresh start.
That’s why I confirmed that in government, Labour will create long-term certainty for local areas: no more bidding, and no more overcentralised government.
Within the first 100 days, we will introduce the Take Back Control Act to deliver the biggest transfer of power from Whitehall to the town hall in history.
Across the week, the recurring theme of conference has been Labour’s mission to get Britain’s future back.
There is real concern in this country that nothing seems to work any more: crimes going unpunished, NHS waiting lists spiralling out of control, high streets in terminal decline.
The Conservatives have spent years claiming that they have taken the difficult decisions, when all they’ve really done is force local government to do it for them.
Councils have been stripped of resources and respect, making it even harder to deliver for their residents. Every councillor in this country understands why people are demanding change.
This year’s conference has shown that Keir Starmer and the Labour Party is prepared to lead that change. We’ve shown that we can change our party, and now we’re ready to change our country.
The highlight of conference was the incredible speech delivered by Keir Starmer – who literally rolled up his sleeves to set out why Labour is ready to lead.
Keir set out our new plan to get Britain building again, by taking on the blockers who are imposing a veto over British aspiration.
“Local government craves stability, deserves respect and needs a fresh start”
We have a serious plan to build 1.5 million new homes across the country, with new development corporations with the power to remove the blockages, new infrastructure to support families and communities to grow, and a new effort to re-wire Britain by expanding the National Grid faster.
I’m delighted too that we have committed to a great old Labour idea, creating a fresh generation of Labour new towns, building on the success of places like Telford, Stevenage, Crawley, and Milton Keynes.
Both the conference and Keir’s speech gave a compelling answer to the question ‘Why Labour?’.
We have shown that we will serve the nation’s interests, we will grow every corner of our country, and that we have a real plan: to take back our streets, switch on Great British Energy, get the NHS back on its feet, and get Britain building again.
Roll on the General Election.