Keir Starmer’s conference speech – planning trade-offs and duty of candour

In his inaugural address to the Labour party conference as Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer proclaimed that "a transformation is underway."

He cautioned that there will be "no simple solutions" and "no misleading optimism," but he assured that he would work to "revive" the "damaged" public services and communities that are "barely surviving on goodwill."

In his 58-minute address, Sir Keir made several key policy announcements, including a new law aimed at transparency regarding Hillsborough, plans for housing for veterans, and the declaration that Aberdeen will serve as the headquarters for GB Energy.

Houses For Heroes And Passport Planning

Sir Keir unveiled a new initiative aimed at addressing the "unseen inequality" faced by homeless veterans. He pledged to offer housing support for individuals who have served in the armed forces and are currently in need.

He emphasized the extensive effort involved in reforming planning procedures and the introduction of new brownfield planning passports. A government working document released this week stated that these passports would clearly outline what types of developments are acceptable, making it easier to say 'yes' to appropriate proposals by default.

He mentioned that after this initiative is implemented, we can extend the same commitment to individuals facing the threat of homelessness, including young people leaving care and victims of domestic abuse. He emphasized that these individuals will finally have the safety they deserve, a stable place to live, and acknowledged that Britain is their home too.

Sir Keir cautioned those in the conference hall that providing these homes might require some compromises.

He stated, "It’s high time politicians are honest with the public about the sacrifices our nation must make. The past few years have taught us a valuable lesson: when you ignore tough challenges, the country suffers and moves in the wrong direction."

This implies that "certain neighborhoods will have to be located near new correctional facilities," "we require new power lines above ground," and "if we want our children to genuinely aspire to own their homes, then every community has a responsibility to help make that happen."

Celebrating The Power Of Devolution

Devolution was highlighted in Sir Keir's outline of the steps the government is implementing. He indicated that this, along with other initiatives, represents that "a shift has started."

He further mentioned, in relation to those affected by scandals like Hillsborough, that giving authority to "individuals well outside the confines of government" is the "fastest method to eliminate the decay caused by the Tories and create the Britain that rightfully belongs to you."

Sir Keir pledged that public authorities will need to adhere to a duty of candour protocol. This means that local governments may have to demonstrate honesty and transparency when mistakes occur. He aims for this initiative to help avoid scandals similar to the Post Office incident and the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

Sir Keir Starmer emphasized that efforts to address the "black hole" in public finances will be done equitably. Though the specifics won't be revealed until the Budget announcement on October 30, he assured that every possible option will be explored, innovative solutions will be considered, and a return to Conservative austerity measures will not be tolerated.

He also assured that Labour will "revitalize our public services" and "support workers."