‘We’re so close’: there’s a cautious optimism at Labour conference

When Liz Truss scheduled her mini-Budget for the Friday before Labour conference, there was concern in Keir Starmer’s office. After months of meticulous planning, Starmer’s team feared the new Tory government would use their event to upstage his and distract from the party’s annual gathering in Liverpool. They were right to think that Kwasi Kwarteng’s statement would dominate the headlines; what they didn’t realise was that this would work entirely to their advantage.

The market chaos provided the perfect backdrop to Labour conference: it reinforced a belief that, after 12 years in the cold, Labour is finally on the cusp of power. They can now present the Tories as the dangerous, slightly mad radicals and pitch themselves as the sensible option. This week, YouGov reported that Labour had opened up a historic 17-point lead over the Tories. If this converts into votes in an election, it would mean a three-figure majority. ‘We’re so close,’ says a senior Labour politician. ‘We know we are nearly back in because Peter Mandelson came to conference,’ jokes another. The number of business attendees who flocked to Liverpool is a sign that Labour is being taken seriously. ‘They know which way the wind is blowing,’ says a party figure.

Starmer is now running as the strong-and-stable candidate. In his conference speech, he made a pitch to middle England: ‘God Save the King’ was played, a points-based immigration system was pledged (not more freedom-of-movement), and continuing support offered for Ukraine against Russia.

Crucially, his party is playing ball. The decision to kick off conference with the national anthem went off without a hitch (a lyrics sheet was supplied for the uninitiated). It’s a far cry from the scenes of civil war under Jeremy Corbyn.