Archive for September, 2009

I’ve just left the conference hall in Brighton after watching Gordon Brown’s keynote speech to the Labour Party. Surpassing my expectations, particularly after Lord Mandelson’s electrifying speech yesterday, I was struck by the clear message that the PM communicated: our country faces the biggest choice for a generation – a choice between a change that benefits all of us, or a change that benefits the privileged few.

The PM’s bold address reasserted Labour’s fight and aspiration to be the party of ambitious change for the many and not the few:

– Change for a new society with new measures to tackle anti-social behaviour and ensure our public services meet new challenges – expanding free childcare for two year olds, a new offer on social care for older people, and additional funding to local authorities to help keep people in their homes.

- Change for a new economy with tough new rules for bankers and investing for growth, with a new legal obligation for fiscal responsibility.

- And change for a new politics so we ensure that MPs guilty of gross financial misconduct are recalled and we modernise our democracy with a new voting system.

Given my particular interest in reconnecting Britons with Westminster through electoral reform, I was delighted to hear the Gordon announce a commitment to a referendum on the ‘alternative vote’ system in the next parliament.

And the Prime Minister challenged all of us to not just listen to what Labour’s opponents say, but to demand what they would do. If, like me, you’ve been feeling the pinch recently then just ask the next Tory canvasser or candidate you see: “if you care about me, why is your first priority to give a £200,000 tax cut to each of the 3,000 wealthiest estates?’

Labour is on the side of the British people on the fundamental choices our country faces in the years ahead. Conference signalled a fight back – a fight back not just against the Tories, but a fight back for Britain to energise our collective journey of progress.

Gordon Brown’s speech to Labour Party Conference on Tuesday, 29 September 2009 can be viewed here.

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