Labour Conference over

I'm writing this on the train back to London - an example of the pace of technology since Labour was last in opposition.  This morning we had debates on local government and on housing.  It was good to see Hilary Benn speak since his voice is one  I think we should hear more of in the Party.  As usual we had a closing speech from the Deputy Leader before singing The Red Flag and Jerusalem together to finish.

I always feel a little drained travelling back from Conference.  The mind continues to buzz but an intense week with little sleep takes its toll on us all!  This Conference was unusual - we began on Saturday not knowing who would be elected leader.  Since Ed Miliband was elected we have been working through what that means for the future (the same  would have been the case if David was elected of course).  There was a sense of unity in the hall and determination.  There is a lot of work to do on policy however.  I expect next year's conference to contain a few lively policy debates.

The Christian Socialist Movement had a good conference once again.  It is always a privilege to organise the Party's annual Conference Church Service and this year Manchester Cathedral was packed.  It was good too to have the new leader at our 50th anniversary reception.  Fringe meetings on Labour and Christianity, Labour Neighbours, and bank reform went well with some good debate.  The relationship between CSM and Labour is warm and friendly and we came out of the conference determined to maintain our efforts to support Labour and the task of renewal ahead.

Wednesday at Labour Conference

Wednesday began with some speech preparation ahead of CSM's fringe on bank separation.  I knew what I wanted to say on bank reform but I wanted to put it in the context of Ed Miliband's speech on Tuesday and linked to Labour's need to reform itself.

The fringe event itself went well and I had a few conversations afterwards with people.  Also on the platform were MPs Andrew Gwyne MP and Rachel Reeves (Alun MIchael chaired).

I missed a good speech from Ed Balls in the morning conference session - reading it afterwards it came across as a quite powerful speech attacking the damage the Tories and LibDems are doing to our schools.  The afternoon session began with a Q&A with the new leader chaired by Eddie Izzard.  Later speakers included Tessa Jowell.

After a coffee and an emergency sandwich and cake, I went to an Action Aid/Foreign Policy Centre meeting on development aid and accountability.  I left before the end to attend a Christian Aid fringe on taxation in developing countries.  Finally, I rounded off the evening at the Unite reception catching up with friends and meeting new people.  Ed Miliband spoke - I thought it was one of his best speeches all week, if not the best.  I liked the clear intent - and he seemed more relaxed.

New Labour leader's speech

A confident speech from Ed Miliband this afternoon.  Basically, he didn't waste any time clearing the decks for a period of renewal for Labour.  That I think is the right approach to take.  It means he can get on and define his leadership.  Delegates I spoke to were positive and the mood of 'sober intent' continues here in Manchester as we face up to the task ahead.

Labour Conference - Monday

Second day of Labour Conference and it's been a long day.  I spent most of the day in the conference hall (as you would expect from a delegate!) listening to the economy debates.  During the economy Q&A I asked the panel what Labour's message should be in 4 or 5 year's time ie after the worst of the Tory/Lib cuts has been implemented.  Yvette Cooper responded - she argued Labour will need to be campaigning on jobs and growth.  There was no surprise that all the contemporary resolutions were passed - there was nothing particularly controversial about them (even though the topics were serious enough).

I've come across a few people who have read my Progress magazine article on future Labour economic policy.

Earlier David Miliband spoke briefly before a Q&A on foreign affairs.  He was warmly received by delegates - and by his brother of course.

CSM held a fringe event on Labour and Christianity.  David Lammy spoke powerfully about the role Christian Socialists should play in future in the Labour Party, noting in particular the need for Labour to speak about the family (in an inclusive way) and against consumerism.

In the evening I attended a RSA fringe on Labour and big government.  There was food for thought there though I'm not sure what conclusions if any we came to.

Meanwhile, the first photos from CSM's 50th anniversary reception are through.  In this image, I just appear behind an Archbishop and a Dean!

At Labour Conference

Here at Labour Conference and although it is only the second day of conference it seems longer because it was preceded by the leadership conference on Saturday.  It was at that conference that Labour's new leader was announced - Ed Miliband.  Ed has now been plunged into the round of conference leadership engagements but the most crucial will be his speech on Tuesday afternoon.

One of the leader's first engagements was the 50th anniversary reception of the Christian Socialist Movement, held in Manchester Cathedral after the Labour Party's annual conference church service on Sunday.  He spoke well, and praised CSM for being in the forefront of Labour's renewal.

Conference has what I would describe as a sober but buzzing character to it: there's excitement about how we might renew the Party while at the same time very serious intent about taking the argument to the Tories and LibDems and winning the next General Election.