What a difference a year makes as Labour conference delegates settle for survival

‘The atmosphere is like Dignitas on the Mersey,’ said one MP, but the mood was lifted by Starmer’s tough words for Reform

You can learn a lot from standing in the queue for security at this year’s Labour party conference. The MP who whispered to a journalist: ‘The atmosphere in here is like Dignitas on the Mersey.’ Then there was the charity worker who was asked to unroll the corporate banner she was planning to put up at a fringe event. To make sure it didn’t say anything offensive or constituted a thought crime. Like support for Andy Burnham.

Others were a little more chipper. Laughing and relaxed. Upbeat even. That could just be because they’ve already given up caring, another observed. The worst has already happened. Conference aspirations narrowed down to just trying to make the best of the next few days and hang out with old mates. Fair to say that most delegates have come to Liverpool with mixed expectations. To say the least. Survival appears to be uppermost on people’s minds. To get through without things getting any worse than they already are.