Judging by the number of conference guides building up in my bookcase, this was my fifth Labour Party Conference since 2018, and it was certainly more memorable than most.
For sure, all conferences are fun – a chance to pick up ideas to bring back to Bracknell Forest, to get involved in important debates, and an opportunity to catch up with old colleagues you haven’t seen in years.
When I arrived at the exhibition hall, I went straight to the Falkland Islands stand, as I always do. I’m always proud to show my support for the cause of the Falkland Islanders – their right to self-determination and to live free of threats from Argentina. It was a pleasure to visit the islands a few years ago, and I was excited to join the Gibraltar reception, where the incoming Chief Minister gave a profound speech about the importance of cooperation in Europe. I look forward to visiting Gibraltar for the first time later this month.
But, not all conferences have a speech like the one the Prime Minister gave on Tuesday.
Andy Burnham talked about his ‘Your First Home’ pledge – eligible first-time buyers able to purchase a new-build home with just a 2.5% deposit. He spoke about reforming Right to Buy for new council homes, keeping opportunities available for future generations. He proposed ‘Great British Grid’ – a publicly owned company to invest in electricity networks, speed up grid connections and compete with private operators. Supporting leaseholders. Repealing the ban on public ownership of water companies. VAT removed from electricity bills. A national commission on electoral reform. Rebuilding our relationship with Europe. Parity between academic and technical education.
This isn’t tinkering. Burnham spoke passionately about the United Kingdom we want – more public control of the essentials, more power for places, and an economy geared towards security, affordability and growth. And when he paused to compose himself, thinking about his dad, I saw many members shed a tear…I couldn’t help but think about my mum in that moment. It was one of the best speeches I’d ever heard.
Burnham isn’t afraid to do what needs to be done. This country needs brave leadership. Bold leadership. Changes to the triple-lock, long known to be unsustainable, will enable us to create a National Care Service, free at the point of use. An announcement as profound as the creation of the National Health Service. Pensions will still rise by the higher of inflation or 2.5%, but the changes will enable us to tackle a crisis politicians have preferred to ignore. Burnham will not ignore it. He is not interested in ‘business as usual’, and he knows the country isn’t either.
Cllr Guy Gillbe is a Labour councillor for Easthampstead & Wildridings and the Cabinet Member for Planning, Transport and Countryside on Bracknell Forest Council.