Keir Starmer's speech at the Labour Party Conference aimed to define what Labour stands for, appealing to the middle class and making the party believe that winning the next general election is possible.
During the party conferences, the focus was on projecting party messages and identities rather than announcing major policies, while concerns arose about the Tories being nervous about Labour's effectiveness at the conference.
Deep dives
Key Points from the Labour Party Conference
Kier Starmer's speech at the Labour Party Conference aimed to define what Labour stands for, highlighting aspiration and his personal background. He emphasized the importance of a government that serves the people, addressing issues like housing, the NHS, and opportunities for working-class people. The speech appealed to the middle class and received positive reviews, although policy details were minimal. The goal was to make the party believe that winning the next general election is possible.
Party Conferences and Political Strategies
The party conferences, including the Liberal Democrats and Tories, focused on projecting their message and defining their party identity, rather than announcing major policies. The Tories faced challenges in appealing to both the Red Wall and aspirational middle-class voters, particularly on housing. Rishi Sunak's conference speech lacked a strong emotional appeal, while Keir Starmer successfully connected with his audience, invoking Blair-era sentiment. Post-conference polls showed no significant shifts in public opinion, and concerns arose that the Tories might be nervous about Labour's effectiveness at the conference.
The Role of Scotland and Predictions for the Next Election
The Scottish National Party (SNP) conference is yet to come, but Labour's recovery in Scotland has potential implications for the next election. The SNP experienced a disappointing by-election result and faces questions about its strategy and polls, indicating a possible Labour revival in the region. Overall, while Labour currently holds a substantial lead in the polls, there is still uncertainty about whether they can secure a convincing majority in the next general election.
The 2023 conference season is winding down. But did the parties achieve what they wanted - and needed - to? And did they shift the dial when it comes to the result of the next general election?
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Clips: The Labour Party, The Conservative Party, The Liberal Democrats.