Labour party conference: A new prime minister and a new political era?

The Labour Party conference opened in Liverpool on Sunday, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham expected to be the main attraction. This is a significant shift from last year, when Burnham was a leading contender for the leadership. The conference follows Keir Starmer's resignation, which has injected new energy into the Labour membership and the parliamentary party.

Recent polling suggests that Labour is regaining some of the voters who left for Reform UK and the Green Party under Starmer. While Labour is projected to be the largest party in a hypothetical general election, it may still lack a majority. Burnham will be tasked with presenting a bold vision for the government during the four-day event.

So far, Burnham's government has introduced small but popular policies and established a second seat of government in Manchester. However, there are still significant challenges ahead, including economic concerns, infrastructure issues, youth unemployment, social care, and the rising cost of living. Burnham has emphasized the need for national resilience and devolution, but the scale of Britain's economic woes remains immense.

The government has shown reluctance to raise income tax and is wary of international factors like the Iran war. Burnham has also kept Shabana Mahmood as Home Secretary, who aims to reduce immigration, a topic that could be uncomfortable for Burnham as he seeks to win back voters from right-wing and left-wing parties.

Foreign policy, particularly concerning Israel and Palestine, is expected to be a major focus of the conference. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is set to introduce comprehensive sanctions on Israeli settlements, which are popular among the public and the Labour membership. However, the issue of anti-migrant protests and the ban on the Palestine Action group, deemed a terrorist organization by Starmer's government, could pose challenges for the leadership.