Andrew Marr: After Starmer's conference speech, it's no longer possible to question what Labour stand for
10 October 2023, 18:14
Andrew Marr: Keir Starmer stands for working people
It is no longer possible to question what Keir Starmer's Labour Party stands for. It stands for working people, Andrew Marr has said.
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Speaking after the Labour leader vowed to deliver a 'decade of national renewal' if his party is elected into government, Andrew said: "Of course, words are easy – actually making a big political speech isn't easy, particularly when a yelling loon protester, spraying sticky glitter hurls himself at you.
"But you know what I mean, making speeches is a lot easier than actually putting ideas into practice. But after Keir Starmer's speech today I don't think it's possible to keep saying we don't know what Labour stands for.
"The two-word phrase he used more than any other - I guess up to 100 times - speaking through one standing ovation after another was simply, working people."
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"This was a speech about empowerment and a 10-year plan for rebuilding the country. This afternoon we found out more about what that might mean - new towns that are actually pleasant places to live, fresh housing everywhere, new rights for working people, new colleges, a new National Wealth Fund.
"Now there are plenty of questions still unanswered, lots of detail to be filled in – above all how it’s all going to be paid for and whether the Labour leadership has changed its attitude to borrowing for investment .
"Starmer said today, yes to investment, 'we must get on and do it'."
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The presenter continued: "I have to say that this evening, even this jug eared, dandruffed, knackered old ruin of a cynical hack is feeling something I haven’t really felt for quite a long time, a prickle of optimism and hope.
"If you want to know what it feels like, it's roughly the sensation of wallowing a couple of pints of live eels, but in a good way."
