Labour’s annual conference will get underway in Liverpool tomorrow (September 24) with expectations high for Sir Keir Starmer to set out the dividing lines between his party and the new Tory government. Supporters of the Labour leader hope he will use the four-day gathering to capitalise on the unpopularity of Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng’s economic measures.
The Government’s controversial programme of lifting caps on bankers’ bonuses, cracking down on benefits and vast tax cuts mainly benefiting the wealthy has widened the ideological rift between the two main parties and given Labour plenty of ammunition. Sir Keir will be expected to link Conservative decisions to falling living standards and articulate a convincing vision to improve them.
Labour’s call for a heavier windfall tax on the profits of energy and oil giants to fund freezing energy bills – which Ms Truss is paying for by borrowing – will be a key plank of the argument.
