Keir Starmer speech - live: Labour leader shakes off glitter ambush and unveils ‘mission for government’
Heckler storms stage shouting ‘we are in crisis’ before being dragged off by security
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Your support makes all the difference.Keir Starmer vowed to oversee a “decade of renewal” if Labour wins the next election after his conference speech got off to a shaky start when a protester stormed on stage and covered him in glitter.
The Labour leader set out his mission for government, promising to build 1.5 million homes in what he described as a “new generation of towns”.
Shocking footage captured the moment the heckler evades security and dumps glitter over the Labour leader while wrapping his arms around him and shouting “we are in crisis” before finally being bundled to the ground.
The heckler was heard shouting: “We demand a people’s house, we are in crisis – politics needs an update. We are in crisis”. Footage emerged online afterwards of the protester being dragged from the building by police.
Removing his jacket and rolling up his sleeves, Starmer was applauded for keeping his cool and regaining control of the podium. He told the audience: “If he thinks that bothers me he doesn’t know me. Protest not power, that is why we changed our party conference.”
Prospect union welcomes Starmer speech
Mike Clancy, general secretary of the Prospect union said: “This was a competent and measured speech which reflected many of the serious challenges facing this country.
“In particular Keir Starmer is right to recognise the huge potential that exists to deliver good jobs and growth from clean power.
“The members that I represent in the energy sector understand their role in achieving this, but the sector needs real tangible support from government.
“Labour are recognising what is happening in the USA to create clean energy jobs, with government working closely with unions and industry and we stand ready to work with them to implement similar policies in the UK.”
Starmer needs to ‘pay nurses fairly’, says RCN
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) have offered a wary response to Keir Starmer’s vow to keep the NHS “off its knees” – demanding better pay and a proper recruitment plan.
The union’s chief nurse Prof Nicola Ranger, said: “To end sticking plaster politics ... They will need clear plans to recruit and retain more nursing staff to get waiting times down and improve care. This starts with paying nursing staff fairly.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the “devil will be in the detail”. Addressing Starmer’s focus on growth, she added: “Growth is important but it will take time. A two trillion pound-plus economy must be able to ensure workers and their communities get a better deal and that they receive an equal piece of the pie.”
Mike Clancy, general secretary of the Prospect union, said it was “a competent and measured speech which reflected many of the serious challenges facing this country”, calling on him to deliver “tangible support” to green energy industry.
Rachel Reeves: ‘Britons angry at Tory over-promising’
Rachel Reeves has said voters are “angry” at Conservative failures on levelling up and building new hospitals.
Speaking on the sidelines of Labour’s conference, the shadow chancellor promised Labour will not make promises the party cannot deliver on, hitting out at promises made by Boris Johnson and Tory ministers.
Ms Reeves said: “I think that what people get angry about is promises like 40 new hospitals and levelling up that then doesn’t happen.”
Careful, Keir: things can only get better... until you’re in office
Keir Starmer has done a good job of lowering expectations and avoiding Labour’s historic destiny of messing things up. But he’s also said he needs ‘10 years in power’ – and the last person with his eye on a decade in Downing Street was Boris Johnson, writes John Rentoul.
Read John’s full piece here:
Careful, Keir: things can only get better... until you’re in office
Keir Starmer has done a good job of lowering expectations and avoiding Labour’s historic destiny of messing things up. But he’s also said he needs ‘10 years in power’ – and the last person with his eye on a decade in Downing Street was Boris Johnson, writes John Rentoul
‘All glitter no substance’, say Tories on Starmer speech
Tory chairman Greg Hands attacked Mr Starmer for failing “to say anything about how he would tackle illegal immigration”.
He also accused him of “the same short-term political decision-making of the last 30 years that has failed Britain – all glitter, no substance”.
Rachel Reeves: ‘I don’t think Jeremy Hunt knows what inflation is’
Rachel Reeves has said Jeremy Hunt does not know what inflation is - after the chancellor accused her of not mentioning the topic in her Labour conference speech.
The shadow chancellor used her address to discuss rising food prices, higher energy bills and spiralling mortgage costs.
But, reacting to her speech, Mr Hunt said: “When the biggest single issue for the economy is inflation it doesn’t get one mention from the shadow chancellor.”
Asked about Mr Hunt’s claim, Ms Reeves said: “I don’t think Jeremy Hunt maybe knows what inflation is.”
Rachel Reeves: ‘I’ve got friends who are Conservatives’
Rachel Reeves has said she is “very happy to spend time with family and friends who have different political views”.
The shadow chancellor said “I know what my values are,” adding that she is happy to be friends with Tories.
Ms Reeves said one of her closest friends is former Tory MP Seema Kennedy, whose wedding she attended last year.
Who is Yaz Ashmawi? Protester who glitterbombed Keir Starmer
Yaz Ashmawi wore a T-shirt with the words “People Demand Democracy” on the front as he shouted: “We demand a people’s house, we are in crisis – politics needs an update. We are in crisis.”
The 28-year-old studied Theoretical Physics at the University of St Andrews, according to his social media. On X, formerly Twitter, he claims to be “fighting for a People’s House to transform the country”.
He is also an Extinction Rebellion (XR) activist, but the climate group said the stunt was not organised by them. In 2019, he filmed and produced a short video documenting one of the group’s protests in London.
Rachel Reeves: ‘Starmer speech protester angered me’
Rachel Reeves said the protester who stormed the stage during Keir Starmer’s conference speech “angered her”.
The shadow chancellor said it was “incredibly disrespectful” and it must have been “pretty terrifying” for Sir Keir and his wife.
But, dismissing the protester, she said: “If you saw the response, a big part of the key message is that we are a party of power, not of protest.”
Ms Reeves added: “I also think you saw the measure of Keir today that when that happened, and it must have been pretty terrifying…, but he just got himself together really quickly and delivered the speech of a lifetime.”
Labour to ensure nothing like glitter protest can ‘ever’ happen again
Labour shadow justice minister Shabana Mahmood told BBC Radio 4’s PM programme: “I’m sure questions are being asked… We will want to make sure that nothing like that can ever happen again.”
It comes after protester Yaz Ashmawi was able to get on the stage at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool’s exhibition centre and throw glitter over Sir Keir Starmer before being bundled away by security.
The 28-year-old from Surrey was arrested on suspicion of assault, breach of the peace and causing public nuisance.
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