Day 1:
An action-packed day started with attending the Christians on the Left conference service in my Shadow Faith Minister role – Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol speech about fair systems and the power of reconciliation will stay with me.
Labour are proud to be the largest party in local government, and as Shadow Local Government Minister it was wonderful to join Luton councillors and address 1000 Labour councillors from across the country at a packed Local Government Association Labour Group rally.
I then watched Angela Rayner‘s speech and pledge that a Labour goverment will oversee the biggest boost in affordable and social housing in a generation.
Two other impactful panel discussions followed, the first with East & South East Asians for Labour on the Chinese seafarers forcibly deported from Liverpool in the 1950s, and the second on the growing danger of conspiracy theories and how to tackle them with Antisemitism Policy Trust.
I also managed to get some time in phonebanking for Alistair Strathern.
Day 2:
Another packed and fulfilling day in Liverpool – starting with a local government panel on devolution, focussing on Labour’s plan to deliver more powers to local communities.
As a long-term supporter of the Association of Convenience Stores it was good to join them to discuss reviving our high streets and delivering for small businesses. In my role as Shadow Minister for Communities, I then joined the Fabian Society and Together to discuss the balance between a strong state and strong communities.
Moving from communities to faith, I spoke on the CAP – Christians Against Poverty UK Panel, discussing long-term solutions to poverty, and finished out the day at the Labour Faiths and Humanists UK receptions.
Many fascinating conversations held on planning for a Labour government!
Day 3:
Finished out a vibrant, inspiring and energetic 2023 Labour conference with another packed day of meetings and panels, starting off with speaking about politics to a diverse group of young people from the Patchwork Foundation.
I then joined HOPE not hate panel, chaired by Lewis Goodall, on identifying and countering threats from the far right.
Centre of the day was an inspired speech from Keir Starmer on Labour’s vision for the next government, focussed on empowering communities, rebuilding our services and delivering for working people.
On a panel discussion with SME4Labour, we discussed small businesses and their contributions to local communities and economies – and my own Small Business Shoutouts.
This conference brought home the importance of securing a Labour government – to build back our country and get Britain its future back.
Bring on the next General Election!
