The Prime Minister’s embrace of bigger government is a challenge to both left and right.

Keir Starmer’s Labour conference speech had two main tasks: to dispel the air of gloom around the party and to signal a clearer sense of political direction. Did he succeed? Up to a point.

In his address to the delegates in Liverpool on 24 September, we heard more about how things will get better (as opposed to merely worse) and the ambitions that define this government. But the speech was still darker in tone than some advance briefings had suggested. Its most striking line was Starmer’s assertion that “taking back control is a Labour argument”.

Keir Starmer’s Labour conference speech had two main tasks: to dispel the air of gloom around the party and to signal a clearer sense of political direction. Did he succeed? Up to a point.

In his address to the delegates in Liverpool on 24 September, we heard more about how things will get better (as opposed to merely worse) and the ambitions that define this government. But the speech was still darker in tone than some advance briefings had suggested. Its most striking line was Starmer’s assertion that “taking back control is a Labour argument”.