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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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.”
Rachel Reeves: ‘There is clearly a buzz at Labour conference’
Rachel Reeves said business leaders have told her there was a “very different atmosphere” at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester last week.
The shadow chancellor said there is “clearly a buzz” at Labour conference, which is “really exciting”.
Starmer ‘rolling out red carpet’ for private healthcare, says Corbyn
Jeremy Corbyn did not like Keir Starmer’s speech, you will be shocked to learn, Adam Forrest reports.
“As the Labour leadership rolls out the red carpet for climate vandals, arms firms and private healthcare, thousands of us are organising for the bold change this country needs,” he tweeted.
'Something to fight for': Labour conference attendees reflect on Starmer speech
Dale Vince: Starmer’s speech was about ‘renewal'
Green energy industrialist Dale Vince said: “The theme I took from it, there was one word, it was renewal, it was about renewing Britain, our infrastructure, our public services and this bond of service and the public.”
TUC general secretary: Labour has ‘proper plan’ for rebuilding Britain
Trades Union Congress (TUC) general secretary Paul Nowak said: “Keir Starmer outlined today a proper plan for repairing and rebuilding Britain and he showed that he will stand up for working-class communities.
“The contrast with the Tories’ slash and burn approach couldn’t be greater.”
Palestinian ambassador no longer attending Labour event
Labour’s shadow foreign secretary David Lammy will be attending Labour Friends of Palestine event tonight – but Palestinian ambassador Husam Zomlot won’t be, The Independent understands.
Zomlot has come in for a lot of criticism for his remarks since the Hamas attack on Israel. He told CNN: “Israel knew that this was coming their way… It’s a consequence.”
Foreign secretary James Cleverly said earlier he would not share a platform with Zomlot, though he told Sky News he had previously met and spoken to the ambassador.
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