Forget talks of a formal split – after this conference Labour will be more united than ever

There’ll be some desperate this week to paint Labour as a party defined by division, what with talk of open selections, and contested changes to the rules in party leadership contests being discussed at this year’s annual conference. And then of course, there’s the question of what to do about Brexit: unsurprisingly an issue that divided the country neatly in two continues to be the subject of disagreements in a party of over half a million people.

But with some 13,000 people in attendance in Liverpool this week, there’s a distinct difference between this conference and those of the other major parties taking place this month.

When Labour Party members leave Merseyside on Wednesday afternoon, they’ll do so with a policy platform to take to the country, united behind a clear and progressive agenda. The same won’t be true of the Conservatives or the Liberal Democrats – putting Brexit aside, neither have any new policies or a wider, long term vision.

Sure, there are still points of contention in Labour – the issue of antisemitism a prime example. There's a sense on the ground that more can and must be done. Yesterday’s events can mark a way forward: Emily Thornberry received standing ovations from the conference floor when she talked about justice for Palestine, but also when she made it clear that anti semites aren’t welcome in Labour whatsoever.

And when it comes to a plan for the country, the mood in Liverpool is clear. Just as those from all wings of the party came together in support of the 2017 general election manifesto, the raft of bold and radical policy announcements this week look set to bring the party’s membership, leadership and elected representatives even closer, once again. Take for instance Labour’s plan to make companies with over 250 employees put 10 per cent of their shares into a workers fund, which would pay dividends out to the company's employees. Initial polling suggests this policy has widespread support.

And, there’s more. Labour’s Women’s Conference has decided to propose ensuring survivors of domestic violence can access lifesaving leave from work and deeply unpopular, ineffective free schools and academies are set to be scrapped.

There’s also a plan to save Britain's high streets, and a commitment to ensuring Britain becomes carbon neutral by 2050. A new national tax on second homes would raise £560m – money which would be invested into supporting the 120,000 young people and children living in temporary accommodation, left homeless.

Then there’s the £20m to support renters unions; a commitment to workers having democratically elected places on company boards. And, according to Labour insiders, these announcements are only just getting started. This conference acts as a reminder to those across the Labour spectrum: building a fairer society is the party’s raison d’etre – and all in the party’s ranks must get on board.

A glance at Labour’s political opponents makes clear other parties have no such vision.

You’d be forgiven for forgetting that the Liberal Democrats have already held their annual party conference, down in Brighton. A quick glance at the BBC’s “Six things we learned from the Lib Dem conference” lists more artists played at the Lib Dem disco (no, me neither) than it does policies to come out of the four day event.

Sure, the electorate might enjoy the fact that ABBA, Blondie and Whitney Houston all appeared on a setlist, but aside from being anti-Brexit there was little else being offered in the way of tangible ideas.

It remains unclear – according to the Lib Dem grandees – if the party even has a future. Its leadership have floated the idea of starting a new party afresh, although you probably didn't even notice.

Vince Cable batted off accusations that he is a "lame duck leader" and called Brexit an erotic spasm in his leadership speech (although in the end he opted for “exotic spresm”). The keynote address was given by Gina Miller, the pro-remain campaigner, who made it clear from the offset she had no intention of even becoming a party member.

And then, next week, it’ll be the turn of the Tories to have their annual get together in Birmingham. Boris Johnson is likely to address his party faithful in his ongoing attempt to grab the keys to No 10. Theresa May has made clear she is preparing for the fight. Meanwhile, the unfolding battle over Brexit is only set to intensify: today’s headlines might accuse Labour of being a party of disagreement, but in just a matter of days it’ll be clear for all to see its the government that is in fact defined by division.

What’s more, the Conservative Party – just like their recent coalition partners – have no policies or grand plans for the future. Austerity has failed, but no Tory wants to talk about it. In last year’s general election, the Tories thought taking away children’s lunches and cutting support for pensioners would be popular ideas. Relying on fear and division to cling onto power is all that Theresa May now has to work with.

So when you read the headlines this week about Labour being divided, remember what has been said by those on all sides of the political spectrum since Corbyn became leader: the Labour Party must be a broad church. When members from across the country come together to debate their future, there will of course by impassioned debate – that’s the point of holding a conference.

There'll continue to be differences of opinion amongst the party faithful, but robust debate on issues like Brexit is to be welcomed. But, as you walk around the fringes, the conference centre and Momentum's The World Transformed, the party feels less and less like it’s at war.

Those few MPs who continue to anonymously tell the press they don't want a Corbyn-led government aren't reflective of the wider Labour movement. They’re a sideshow, a distraction to be ignored. There was rumour of a breakaway party forming led by the the likes of Chuka Umunna this week, which never materialised. Why? Because there's no desire from Labour members for a split, and these MPs have no vision.

Titillating as it is to read that trade unions and Momentum are turning on each other, read such words with caution. There's no doubt that the debates about internal Labour governance have been tense. But once this conference is over, talk of leadership ballots and selections will fade away once again. These groups won't forget it's progressive values which unite them.

Because here's the thing – even if you don’t agree with Labour policy, it’s increasingly hard to argue that the party doesn't have a clear agenda to transform Britain. The reality is the same can’t be said for the Conservatives, or the Liberal Democrats either.