Labour conference day two: Rachel Reeves mocked over glaring omission from economy speech

Labour's Bell Ribeiro-Addy told a fringe event at the Party's conference that there was no need for a minute's silence for Israelis murdered by Hamas terrorists.

She told those gathered: "We should be clear, if we were holding a minute’s silence for the dead in this conflict we would doing it every year.

Her comments came on the same day that Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner led a moment of silence in the main hall at the conference, to pay respects to those senselessly killed by Hamas over the weekend.

Ms Ribeiro-Addy's comments are sure to infuriate Keir Starmer, who has worked hard to restore his Party's relations with the Jewish community following the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn.

Dale Vince, the green industrialist who has ploughed vast sums into eco-loons Just Stop Oil, is to hold a book signing tomorrow morning at the Labour Party Conference on the same day as Keir Starmer's speech to delegates.

Mr Vince took to X, formerly Twitter, to let his 75,000 followers know that he has a stand at the conference to sign copies of his book 'Manifesto: The Battle for Green Britain'.

The Labour Party has benefited to the tune of £1.5 million from the Ecotricity founder over the last ten years and since its inception, Mr Vince has given financial backing to climate crusaders Just Stop Oil.

However, the 62-year-old recently announced he would no longer be funding JSO. 

Instead, he has launched a new campaign aimed at getting younger people to vote out the Conservatives - #JustVote24.

Shadow Cabinet Minister Afzal Khan has apologised for posing at the PSC stall at Labour conference. 

In a statement to the press, he said: "I want to apologise for any offence caused by stopping by the PSC stall at this time".

"I unequivocally condemn the terrorist actions of Hamas and support Israel’s right to defend itself."

The Express understands the photo was taken yesterday.

The Shadow Minister for Exports was spotted posing at a Palestine Solidarity Campaign stand at the Labour Party conference today. 

in a post on social media platform X, Labour MP for Manchester Gorton Afzal Khan was seen in an image at the PSC stand next to the caption: "We're at Labour party conference highlighting the reality of Israel's apartheid rule over the Palestinian people."

It comes despite growing outrage over hard-left Labour MP Apsana Begum doing the same thing on Saturday, leading to calls for her to be sacked from the party. 

Protestors shouting "Revoke Rosebank" and other green slogans were escorted from the conference centre by security.

The group staged their protest in an exhibition overspill area near rooms staging conference fringe events.

Some bystanders applauded the group as they were led away.

A plan by Sir Keir Starmer to solve the NHS crisis by asking doctors to work overtime at weekends is just a short-term fix, says a union boss.

Christina McAnea, Unison general secretary, said: “This is fine as a stop-gap measure, but this is all it must be.

“Health workers are already up against it and there are only so many hours in a day. But a voluntary scheme where staff are paid fairly, that avoids the use of expensive agencies, makes sense in the short term.

“The priority must be to retain existing staff and encourage more temporary workers to go on the books and become directly employed NHS employees.

“There must also be a properly funded recruitment campaign to fill thousands of vacancies. That’s how to tackle the huge backlog in the most efficient way.”

The London Mayor was spotted chatting and taking selfies with the Patchwork Foundation in Liverpool. 

The group describes itself as a "non-partisan charity supporting the participation of young people in democracy and civil society".

Mr Khan said: "It's so important that politics is open and accessible for young people from all backgrounds."

Louie French MP has torn into Remoaner ex-Bank of England chief Mark Carney after he lavished praise on Rachel Reeves over her conference speech today. 

He said: "Former Bank of England Governor endorses former Bank of England employee who used her speech today to distance the Bank of England from any accountability for higher inflation and interest rates, which is the primary responsibility of the Bank of England."

He added wryly: "Peak 2023."

A local Liverpool vape shop owner has invited vape-lover Angela Rayner to visit his shop during Labour conference, and sign a photo of herself for his wall of 'celebrity vapers'. 

Chris Mologe, who owns a shop on Prescot Road, rejected allegations Ms Rayner is a "vape dragon", instead branding her a "vape heroine". 

Mr Mologe said a visit by the deputy leader would "make his year". 

He added: "There's been talk around Angela Rayner's vaping habit, but she is a shining example of an adult who has used vaping as a tool to quit smoking - which is far more harmful". 

"For me she's not a 'vape dragon' but more a 'vape heroine'. She's a success story for an adult vaping correctly to quit cigarettes, and fully deserves to go on my shop Riot E-Liquid Wall of Fame."

The Express has contacted Ms Rayner's team to ask whether a visit could be on the cards. 

Sir Keir Starmer was accused of betraying voters after pledging to ditch deportation flights to Rwanda if he wins power.

Conservative MP James Daly, a member of the Home Affairs select committee, said: “Keir Starmer has finally admitted what we suspected all along, that he will open the door to illegal migrants.

“Reversing the Rwanda policy even if it is working shows he doesn’t care about ­protecting Britain’s borders.

“It is a betrayal of the ordinary voters who want small boats stopped.”

The Welsh First Minister has denied his administration will be used as a blueprint for a potential Keir Starmer government at Westminister. 

Speaking at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, Mr Drakeford also said his Government's decision to reduce the default speed limit to 20mph would not lead to a loss of votes for his party.

He said: "Wales will certainly play our part, but the idea that the United Kingdom was going to be Wales writ large, I don't think that was ever a serious idea."

The Labour First Minister said he "absolutely" did not think that the 20mph default speed limit implemented in Wales would lose Labour votes at the general election, nor the next Senedd poll.

He said: "What we are accused of is a policy that saves people's lives, a policy that will prevent people from dying and will prevent thousands of serious accidents on our roads and will save the time and the money of our emergency services, will give people back the streets that they live on so that they become more liveable.

"What we are asking everybody to do is to drive a little bit more slowly in order to achieve those aims. I think that bargain, as people see it practically, they will see it for the modest bargain it is."

Lisa Nandy has abandoned Labour's pretense of not taking the election for granted, telling a conference fringe that the party is "going for more than two terms!"

Her pledge would mean more than a decade of Labour rule if it came true. 

Labour has repeatedly said it is "not taking anything for granted” at the next election.

Speaking on the fringes of the Labour conferences, the MP said: "To state the obvious those of us who campaigned for Remain we lost the referendum.

"We lost the referendum and I've argued with people who've said well we should just rejoin. That would require another referendum.

"I have no intention of Labour, if we are elected, then spending two years convulsing the national conversation again in an argument about Europe."

A member of Labour's NEC has made controversial remarks about Home Secretary Suella Braverman this afternoon, saying she wants to be the "most racist person in British politics". 

Speaking at a Stand Up To Racism fringe event alongside two Labour MPs, the official said: “It’s like she is on some sort of personal driven mission to be the most racist brown person in UK politics in a personal quest for far-right acceptance.”

Still smarting for her latest demotion during a shadow cabinet reshuffle, Lisa Nandy has tried spinning her more junior job as a "dream". 

Speaking to a Labour fringe meeting this afternoon, Ms Nandy joked: "In many ways this is my dream job. I’ve gone from levelling up the country to levelling up the world”.

Following Sir Keir's leadership victory he appointed her as shadow foreign secretary, only to demote her a year later to shadow levelling up secretary and again to shadow minister of state at the foreign office in this summer's reshuffle. 

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has been warned against complacency by a top polling expert as his party's conference enters its second day in Liverpool.

Leading pollster Professor Sir John Curtice explained on average Sir Keir's party was 17 points ahead of the Conservatives. But he pointed to a recent a YouGov poll this week which found less than one in four (22 percent) of all voters feel Labour has a clear plan for Britain.

Writing in the Independent, he said: "Despite Labour’s large poll lead, Sir Keir has been remarkably unsuccessful at impressing himself on voters. According to the latest Ipsos poll, he currently has a net satisfaction rating of -14."

The professor of politics added: "A lack of clarity, question marks about competence, a relatively unpopular leader. Maybe none of this will matter, given the low regard in which the Conservatives are held. But should Mr Sunak prove able to turn his government around, Labour might suddenly find that their seemingly impregnable large lead is in fact rather fragile."

Brexiteers have hit out at ex-Bank of England governor Mark Carney after he backed Rachel Reeves to be the next chancellor in a video message to Labour's conference.

Tory MP Mark Francois said: “How ironic that a former Governor of the Bank of England, who is also an arch-Remainer, should now endorse the Labour Party, when it was the splurge of quantitative easing, much of which occurred on his watch, that eventually led to a lot of the inflation the economy has recently been suffering from.”

Conservative MP Brendan Clarke-Smith added: "Well I suppose it wouldn’t be the first time he’s got a forecast wrong."

A Vote Leave attack ad from 2016 focusing on Mr Carney's record is also doing the rounds among Tory MPs. 

The BBC has been attacked by MPs from across parties and other public figures for its coverage of the Hamas terrorist assaults on Israel.

Former David Cameron adviser Phillip Blond, the director of the think tank ResPublica, pointed out that Hamas is a "proscribed terrorist organisation."

Mr Blond went on: "Mainstream public broadcasters in the UK, especially the BBC, seem to apply double standards when it comes to attacks on Israel which are not treated for what they are - terrorism."

He said using the words "militant" and "fighter" only "gives legitimacy to those perpetrating these atrocities."

It was standing room only once again at a EU fringe event at the Labour conference.

The room was packed for the meeting on the future of Britain's relationship with Brussels organised by the Centre for European Reform and Delegation of the EU to the UK.

Labour MPs Hilary Benn and Stella Creasy were due to speak.

Pro-Palestinian protests began demonstrating outside the Labour conference this lunchtime, with signs saying Israel is a “racist state” and footage of a crowd chanting “shame on you” at a man identified as Jewish by a journalist.

Responding to Rachel Reeves's conference speech, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, said: “It is extraordinary that Rachel Reeves failed to mention inflation once when it is the biggest challenge facing the British economy.

“Instead, Reeves made it clear Labour will take ‘up’ borrowing by £28billion every year which is a fairy-tale for the British economy with no happy ending - just higher inflation, higher mortgages, higher debt and lower growth.

“Borrowing more doesn’t solve problems, it creates them - the worst kind of short-termism when instead we should be taking long-term decisions that will actually tackle inflation and unleash growth.”

Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves's obsession with Liz Truss has been mocked by a former senior Downing Street adviser.

Watching the speech at the Labour Party conference by the woman who hopes to be taking control of the Treasury next year, the senior Conservative suggested: "Liz Truss appears to be living rent-free in Rachel Reeves's head."

Anti-Israel protesters have gathered just outside the secure zone.

They are waving Palestine flags and placards in support of Gaza. 

There is a gathering of anti-Israel protesters forming at the Labour conference. 

One person in the crowd could be seen holding a banner saying, "Israel is a racist state", while others were handing out literature decrying the so-called "Israeli apartheid" and "how to end it". 

in a video message to the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney said: “Rachel Reeves is a serious economist.

“She began her career at the Bank of England, so she understands the big picture.

“But, crucially she understands the economics of work, of place and family.

“And, look, it is beyond time we put her energy and ideas into action.”

Rachel Reeves has announced plans to introduce a living wage that takes into account the cost of living. 

She said: "Finally, conference, we will have a genuine living wage."

She went on to point out that in 800 years of its existence, not "one single woman" has held the post of Chancellor of the Exchequer.

She said: " I intend to address you next year as the first female Chancellor. It would come with a great weight of responsibility to show our daughters, my daughter, that they should place no limits on their ambitions."  

EXCLUSIVE: Conservative MPs have mocked David Lammy for avoiding saying "Brexit" in his keynote speech to the Labour conference in Liverpool.

Former Brexit minister David Jones said: "David Lammy is a fervent Remainer and his refusal to address Brexit - even to use the word - gives reasonable grounds to believe that Labour would sell Britain out to the EU at the earliest opportunity."

Lee Anderson added: "Make no mistake on the first day of a Labour government the UK will be up for sale. With the EU lined up for the first viewing."

Dudley North MP Marco Longhi said: "We now know how Labour will sell out Britain and rejoin the EU through the backdoor."

The Shadow Chancellor says under Labour plans any Government making "significant tax and spending changes" will be subject to an independent forecast from the Office for Budget Responsibility.

To a round of rapturous applause, she said: "Never again will we allow a repeat of the devastation Liz Truss and the Tory Party have inflicted on our finances."

Ms Reeves said: "I do not underestimate the scale of the challenge facing us. 

"The exhaustion of Conservative ideas does not give us the freedom to push through programmes detached from our current economic reality or take for granted those people who we seek to represent. 

"Change will only be achieved on the basis of iron discipline. Because when you pay fast and loose with the public finances you put at risk family finances. 

"It is working people that pay that price!"

The Labour MP is making the case for a "society that can withstand global shocks."

She said: "Labour's path is to restore hope to politics.

"Conference, the choice at the next election is this: five more years of the Tory chaos and uncertainty that has left working people worse off, or a changed Labour Party offering stability investment and economic security so that working people are better off."

Jon Sopel has taken a veiled swipe at the Conservative Party in a sarcastic social media post. 

Taking to X, the former BBC presenter shared an image contrasting the Tory conference with the Labour one. 

He said: "One photo is from Labour Party conference today. The other from Tory conference last week. Compare and contrast…"

The Shadow Chancellor was asked to respond to the recent terrorist atrocities in Israel. 

She said: "Israel has been the victim of a terrorist attack...they have every right to defend themselves."

Israelis and Palestinians are paying a “terrible price” for Hamas’s terror attack on Saturday, David Lammy has said.

The Shadow Foreign Secretary used his Labour conference speech to “utterly condemn” the “appalling attacks” on innocent Jewish civilians witnesses at the weekend.

Mr Lammy came under fire this morning for planning to share a platform with top Palestinian diplomat Husam Zomlot at the party’s conference.

Mr Zomlot, the head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK, told CNN: “Israel knew that this was coming their way... It’s a consequence.”

Mr Lammy said on Monday morning: “Labour stands firmly in support of Israel’s right to defend itself, rescue hostages​ and protect its citizens. The hostages so cruelly taken – including children - should be released immediately.

“Hamas’s indiscriminate attacks set back the cause of peace. Both Israelis and Palestinians are paying a terrible price. There will not be a just and lasting peace until Israel is secure, Palestine is a sovereign state, and both Israelis and Palestinians enjoy security, dignity and human rights.”

In his speech to the Labour conference, shadow foreign secretary David Lammy said: "Earlier this year the Conservative Party Press Office attacked me for saying that improving our relationship with the EU will be a priority. Conference, I’m happy to repeat it."

He went on: "With Labour there will be no return to the single market or the customs union.

"But Keir Starmer is committed to improving our relations with the EU. Delivering Britain a much better deal. And seeking a new security pact to keep our country safe."

Anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray was protesting outside the Labour conference on day two.

The activist blared out loud music as delegates entered the secure zone.

The Welsh Conservative Shadow Transport Minister has argued in an Express.co.uk op-ed that a vote for Labour is a vote to sign up to blanket 20mph speed limit zones. 

She said: "Many people – including the Welsh Conservatives – support 20mph speed limits in heavily pedestrianised areas, but a blanket scheme is completely ludicrous. Yet Labour aren’t interested in the concerns of their electorate and continue to ignore them."

Speaking to company bosses at a business forum at the Labour conference, the party leader said: "I'm not going to predict the outcome of the general election, nor when it will be.

"Though obviously it will either be May or October, and our team is ready for May because I don't think anybody would rule out May."

The London Mayor has denounced a violent attack on a Kosher restaurant in Golders Green, an area home to a large Jewish community, and the vandalisation of a bridge metres away daubed with the words "Free Palestine".

Taking to X to share images of the atrocities, he said: "There is no tolerance for hate in our city. I remain in close contact with the Met Police.

"Whoever did this will face the full force of the law. I stand with Jewish Londoners, today and always."

Responding to Rachel Reeves on the Today Programme, a Conservative Party Spokesman said: “This morning Rachel Reeves admitted Labour will take the easy way out and take borrowing ‘up’, keeping inflation and interest rates higher for longer.

“When it comes to borrowing, when it comes to debt, Labour are going to take it up. Take it up, and take us back to the same old failed politics.

 “Only the Conservatives are committed to taking the immediate action to help families by halving inflation, growing the economy and reducing debt, and the long-term action needed to build a brighter future.”

Conservative deputy chairman Lee Anderson has brutally mocked attempts by leftwingers at Labour's conference in Liverpool to force Sir Keir Starmer to allow Corbynista Diane Abbott back into the parliamentary party.

The hard-left MP for Hackney North who was Jeremy Corbyn's Shadow Home Secretary was thrown out after she sent an anti-Semitic letter to the Guardian claiming Jews don't face racism.

Mr Anderson posted a mocking post on X this morning at the prospect of Ms Abbott rejoining Labour.

Beachcomber hears that Labour press officers reacted furiously after one broadcaster filmed an 'excellent' doorstep interview with Sue Gray at Labour party conference. 

Sir Keir's right hand woman, who sparked fury when defecting from the civil service to Labour just months after her Partygate investigation into Boris Johnson, remains a controversial public figure. 

Despite some interesting but softball questions, including whether she prefers Starmer or Boris as a boss, Labour's press officers all-but blocked broadcast of the interview. 

Rachel Reeves was put on the spot this morning over David Lammy speaking at a Labour Party conference fringe event alongside a Palestinian diplomat who said the attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists was "coming their way".

Husam Zomlot, the head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK, is scheduled to appear with the Shadow Foreign Secretary at Labour Friends of Palestine’s reception tonight.

But the Shadow Chancellor would not be drawn on the issue, stating she "did not know" the Shadow Foreign Secreatry's conference schedule.

The Labour conference has been circled by a motorists' group demanding that Sir Keir Starmer's party ends its war on motorists.

With massive mobile signs saying "just stop Labour's war on motorists" members of the Alliance of British Drivers (ABD) have been demanding changes in Labour policies.

The shadow chancellor told Times Radio: "I've got no time for that.

"I want to see a Palestinian state existing alongside a safe and secure Israel.

"What frustrates me so much is that what Hamas has done over the last few days has set back the cause for peace that I am so desperate to see in the Middle East, and that people across Labour are desperate to see in the Middle East.

"Terrorism is not the way to get there. I'm appalled by what we've seen."

She added: "Israel has been attacked by terrorists. It has every right to defend itself, get its hostages back and protect its citizens."

Conservative Party chairman Greg Hands has demanded that Labour remove the whip from MP Apsana Begum over a tweet in support of a pro-Palestinian campaign group.

This came following an exchange on X, formerly Twitter, between the Labour MP for Poplar and Limehouse in East London and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) which earlier had called for a rally outside the Israeli embassy sparking outrage.

Good morning from Liverpool on day two of the Labour Party conference!

Our political team will be bringing you all the latest developments, analysis and insight today. 

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