Party conference is always a chance for members and elected representatives to meet, reflect on the current situation and plan for the future. In Liverpool it was the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s first leader’s speech and the speech of his life.
He used it to set out his plan for our country in what he said from the outset would be and honest and truthful way. It was a very personal and emotional speech not least because it came between his father’s death and funeral. It was not about returning to some past era but about restoring the ambition and hope which characterised Britain.
In short, it set out Labour and Andy’s narrative not just what needs to be done but why. He spoke about the challenges we face as a country. Things like the social care crisis, the state of the water industry, electoral reform to make our politics work better and the unfinished business of our relationship with Europe.
It was not just about what we do but how we do it. The Prime Minister wants a national debate on these issues and more but he also genuinely wants cross party consensus wherever possible. It will leave some parties struggling to work out how to respond particularly where actually resolving a grievance undermines their case to exist.
I have listened to many leader’s speeches but rarely one as powerful as this. It lays down a challenge to this Prime Minister to deliver, as he acknowledged, but equally it lays down a challenge to the whole country to step up