Labour Conference 2024 - An Outsider’s Perspective

By Anonymous - BA Politics and International Relations and Sameer Patel - BA Politics and Global Development 28/10/2024

Anonymous

Conference season is a highly anticipated time of year for all those involved in British politics. The exception this year of course, was having the first Labour Conference with a Labour government in 15 years. After many months of promising, they finally had their chance to show how ‘change begins’ - but were they successful?

I attended the conference two weeks ago in Liverpool with a charity. I had the opportunity to participate in events and meet MPs, including SOAS alumnus David Lammy. His discussion with the think tank Labour Together heavily focused on the Middle East war, where Lammy stood by his call for a ceasefire. To me, as a Middle Eastern, the importance of this was heavy; we are observing growing tensions in the region. Lammy continued his neutrality by stating that there are more governments involved than Israel’s, and that we should focus on all the wrongdoings.

I also attended Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s speech in person, which was a surreal experience. The atmosphere and cheering of the audience could not be compared to watching the speech through a screen. The Prime Minister reiterated Lammy’s thoughts, although the message seemed to be lost between the return of hostages and what he had planned to eat for dinner. Later on, to the pro-Palestine campaigner just two rows in front of me, Starmer replied: ‘While he’s been protesting, we’ve been changing the party, that’s why we got a Labour government,’ echoing the words of the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, who stated Labour was ‘not a party of protest.’ The campaigner was grabbed by the arms and pulled out, to which members cheered. The vision was set clear by Labour: an immediate ceasefire, with a two-state solution — but perhaps only if you keep quiet about it.

Sameer

As someone on the left of the Labour Party, I was excited to hear of Labour’s new progressive deal for workers, and of course the important voices speaking up on the fringe – on issues ranging from Palestine to austerity. However, as I explored the conference, aspects showed that the party has not just shifted centre, but cracked down on party democracy in an authoritarian nature. Conversations with newly elected representatives from all levels of the party show it has shifted right – but I’m not convinced the country has too.The transition from a party for unions, ‘for the many, not the few,’ is an interesting move. Reeve’s words of ‘a party that represents working people, not a party of protest’ certainly rings bells of contradiction for some.

The leadership is starting to show worrying authoritarian tendencies towards party democracy. Motions to make Proportional Representation party policy were passed during previous conferences, but have not been adopted by the current leadership. At this year's conference, such calls were again vetoed. 

I witnessed politicians like Wes Streeting argue a ‘tough’ mantra is required on NHS spending and that ‘reform’ is the priority. Streeting spoke fondly of utilising the private sector to reduce inefficiency. Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Fund argues the NHS is the most efficient healthcare service in the world and that funding is its major shortfall. The inefficiencies arise from privatisation, as private companies demand premiums to perform services the NHS could provide in-house. Ending contracts with private companies would tackle the issue head on, and yet Labour continues down the ideological route of marketisation in our health service – a move opposed by the major unions representing NHS staff.

From this experience, it is clear that Labour is heading in the wrong direction. Change cannot be allowed to wane after 14 years of wage stagnation, broken public services, rising homelessness and ‘foodbank Britain.’ An alternative future of investment, strong public services at home, and foreign policy guided by compassion and international law abroad is possible – and Labour must strive for it.