Lisa Nandy’s first conference speech as shadow energy and climate change secretary was solid and cordially received, if a little uninspiring. The MP for Wigan is one to watch in Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow cabinet because she is frequently cited as a handover candidate — someone Corbyn could pass the leadership to before the 2020 election.
Nandy’s announcement that Labour won’t seek to nationalise the Big Six energy companies is an example of how she is helping to detoxify Team Corbyn and assuage the fears of voters who think the new leadership is too left wing (it’s also yet another u-turn after Nato, Trident, EU membership):
‘Jeremy and I don’t want to nationalise energy. We want to do something far more radical. We want to democratise it. There should be nothing to stop every community in this country owning its own clean energy power station. Across the country schools are already taking the initiative and going solar. Generating power and heat for their own use.
‘With the right support, community-based energy companies and cooperatives could be a new powerhouse, and a path to a more secure energy future.Labour in local government is already leading the way, effectively bypassing the big six entirely.’
The fact Nandy didn’t set the hall on fire with either the energy announcement or her performance is indicative of Labour’s wider talent problem. Some of the shadow cabinet speakers have delivered good speeches, while others have been too business-like. In the conference hall this morning, many of the delegates and trade union representatives speaking during the transport debate did a better job of exciting the crowd than the MPs.
Despite Corbyn’s insistence that he wants to be Prime Minister, one of the themes of this conference is a search for future candidates who could replace him. Judging by the main stage speeches, the party will have to dig deeper to find someone inspiring and able enough to successfully take on the Tories.
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