[ad_1]
Even the Iron Lady flinched at the prospect of delivering her leader’s speech to the annual party conference.
Her speech writer Ronald Millar recalled leaning forward moments before Margaret Thatcher went to the rostrum with words of encouragement. “Piece of cake, prime minister,” he whispered, only to be rebuffed with “not now Ronnie, I’m about to deliver my speech”.
The Liberal Democrats only came third in the general election but Sir Ed Davey‘s conference in Brighton last week was one long triumphal rally, complete with 72 Lib Dem MPs and an ABBA singalong. Surely this Labour conference in Liverpool is set to be an even greater celebration.
Politics Hub – for the latest updates
Sir Keir Starmer has just delivered a stunning victory that catapulted Labour straight into government after 14 years of opposition. He is in illustrious company – not many leaders of either main party have done that. There have been 21 in the past 60 years but only five – Harold Wilson, Ted Heath, Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, and David Cameron – have faced their first conference as prime minister fresh from turning the tables decisively against their political foes.
For all the habitual nervousness of party leaders about their big speech, Sir Keir’s first set-piece speech as prime minister to his party conference this week in Liverpool really might have been expected to be “a piece of cake”. He has not been so lucky. Sir Keir is under pressure within his party and with the public before he opens his mouth.
Read more politics news:
Jenrick claims England’s national identity is at risk
Row over PM’s freebies ‘not important’, minister says
Just 80 days into office, there is no honeymoon for Labour. The leader already has ground to make up. Sir Keir and his allies have devoted their energies to blaming the last government successfully for the rundown state of nation. The prime minister has emphasised that things will get worse before they get better so determinedly that many…
[ad_2]
