Starmer speech live: PM heckled by Gaza protester and defends winter fuel payment cut at Labour conference
Sir Keir Starmer warns tough decisions needed for UK ‘national renewal’ in keynote speech
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Sir Keir Starmer has delivered his first party conference speech as prime minister to a packed hall of delegates in Liverpool.
In a wide-ranging address that lasted over an hour, he covered policies new and old, promising a “light at the end of the tunnel” for Britain.
Sir Keir was met with rapturous applause from delegates – while a lone protester heckled him near the end of his speech, with the “children of Gaza” heard before he was escorted from the venue.
Responding to the heckler, the prime minister said that “this guy has a pass for the 2019 conference”, adding: “While he has been protesting, we have been changing the party.”
Sir Keir also said that pensioners will be better off under Labour despite the party’s controversial cuts to winter fuel payments.
Acknowledging that some may find it hard to “take that on faith” due to the cold weather benefit cut, the PM said: “If this path were popular or easy, we would have walked it already.”
The Independent’s political team will be reporting live throughout the Labour Party conference in Liverpool.
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Ask John Rentoul anything about Labour Party conference
Sir Keir Starmer’s keynote speech today will be crucial, as it’s his first post-victory address, where he’ll aim to inspire after a rocky start.
Meanwhile, Chancellor Rachel Reeves faced the tough task of selling fiscal discipline – a message that may not sit well with the party’s base and unions.
Ultimately, the conference will be judged on whether it serves as a successful milestone for Labour’s return to power or a missed opportunity to reset after a difficult start in government.
If you have a question on the Labour Party conference, submit it here and our chief political commentator John Rentoul will be on hand later to answer them.
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