Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered a message of confidence to the nation, emphasizing that Britain has faced and surmounted greater challenges in the past. Speaking at the Labour conference in Liverpool, she urged party members to take pride in the government’s accomplishments during its nearly 15-month tenure, including initiatives like expanding free school meals, boosting NHS funding, and raising public sector wages.
Reeves acknowledged the tough road ahead, cautioning about the global economic challenges and the upcoming Budget in November. She emphasized the importance of maintaining economic responsibility and avoiding reckless spending, highlighting the potential negative impacts on essential costs and interest rates if spending spirals out of control.
The Chancellor also took a stance against Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, warning that their policies could harm working people and communities. She urged delegates to choose a Labour government aligned with international allies over a Reform party potentially linked to Vladimir Putin.
In response to Reeves’s speech, Trades Union Congress (TUC) general secretary Paul Nowak praised her commitment to supporting working people but stressed the need for sustained investment in essential services like hospitals and schools. He called for a fairer tax system that holds banks and gambling companies accountable for contributing their share.
Reeves concluded by asserting that Labour is not merely a party of protest, addressing a brief interruption during her speech by a pro-Gaza demonstrator. She expressed solidarity with the cause while emphasizing the government’s recognition of the state of Palestine.