Starmer’s Conference Speech Was Utterly Vacuous

In a meandering, often listless speech – which mostly consisted in attacking the Conservatives and his Labour predecessor, albeit never by name, one line from Keir Starmer particularly stood out. Britain, the Prime Minister declared, had “fairness in the water”.

Perhaps that wasn’t the best metaphor given the efforts of the country’s poultry farmers and privately owned water companies (fairness, effluent and e.coli is a little less catchy).

But it chimes with a political moment of opposition to elites and growing egalitarianism. Disdain for bankers, declining trust in big business, a suspicion of vested interests and lobbyists. These are all things which are far more prominent in the public psyche than even 20 years ago. Even Nigel Farage knows it’s wise to oppose the two child benefit cap.

Given Starmer’s claims to instinctively understand that, it begs a question. Why on earth did he think free designer clothes and glasses were acceptable? If Bridget Phillipson, the Secretary of State for education also gets it, why did she accept a £14,000 donation to throw a birthday party?

If anything, Starmer’s speech – and its central message of public service – only served to highlight the gap between Labour’s words, and their actions.

This was exemplified when the prime minister mentioned the people of Southport, and how they came together to rebuild their community after race riots in August. Starmer – rightly in my view – referred to them as the best of Britain, and the backbone of the country. That will resonate. But it shines a spotlight on something the public is increasingly asking. Why are such good, decent people governed by such venal elites? Yes Labour aren’t as bad as the Tories, but people hoped against hope they would be more different.

It was there again when Starmer said every penny would have to work for the taxpayer. Strangely, though, that doesn’t seem to apply with the £3 billion guaranteed to Ukraine every year – or the commitment to renew Trident. This is not raised as a point of attack – you might agree with those policy choices. But what is clear is that fiscal probity is selective.

What is more, this basic hypocrisy is sticking to the new government. People who think donors buying them tickets to see Taylor Swift is fine are also taking the winter fuel allowance away from struggling pensioners.

Tony Blair once said that the mission of New Labour was to become the political wing of the British people. Yet after less than 100 days Starmer’s government already feels like the distillation of the permanent political class. There was no real meat over the hour that Starmer spoke.

We were told GB Energy would be based in Aberdeen. Later the Prime Minister pledged to end veteran homelessness. The populist clarity of that message, and now, suggests it is a reaction to the last week. Had it been announced within days of Labour forming a government it would have packed quite a punch. Now it feels driven by extraordinarily poor polls.

The issue of Gaza was dealt with early on, though the sincerity of Starmer’s words on seeking a two state solution are questionable, given his response to a man who heckled him. “Does that include the children of Gaza” the man shouted from the audience – as the PM waxed lyrical about every child being respected. “I think this guy got his pass for the 2019 conference” Starmer quipped, much to his own amusement.

There were also rather strange lines, partly an outgrowth of the government’s policy vacuum. Education reform was important, Starmer intoned, because children need more control over their own future. He talked about radical industrial strategy and devolution, but little has been done regarding either in the King’s Speech.

Indeed it often felt like Starmer could have made broadly the same speech last year – an observation made to me about the conference more broadly by more than one delegate. Do these people realise they are now in power? Because they often sound the same as before.

Starmer is not a gifted orator – and the ability to give an outstanding speech isn’t preferable to a political leader able to think in the long term and solve problems. But the dire greyness of his words, and his central message of giving politics back to the people (presumably by parachuting in favourable candidates and gerrymandering shortlists) felt even more vacuous than usual. It is strange to see someone go through the motions just three months after winning more MPs than Margaret Thatcher ever achieved.

The backdrop to all of this is a slump among the public. Starmer is now personally polling below Sunak. Six in ten voters are saying they don’t trust him. Labour itself is polling as low as 29%. A number of delegates, councillors and staffers have told me over the last few days – off the record – that they don’t see Starmer lasting until 2029. I find that strange but given the word now most associated with the prime minister is “liar” it feels plausible.

Still, Labour will almost certainly retain a large majority at the next election – with or without Starmer. The reason why can be summed in four words. Prime minister Robert Jenrick.