On 24 September, Prime minister Keir Starmer delivered his address at the Labour Party Conference. His speech included several human rights related pledges, including economic growth, access to healthcare, migration, and housing. The speech itself included rhetoric of hope, referencing the “light at the end of the tunnel” — but also warned that the country must first join a “shared struggle.” The event marks 15 years since a Labour leader last addressed their annual conference as prime minister.
Economic growth, shorter hospital waiting lists and safer streets
Starmer’s speech was packed with promise of a “national renewal” to “build a new Britain” in the wake of “Tory rot.” The prime minister pledged for faster economic growth, shorter hospital waiting lists and safer streets, as well as getting the nations spending on welfare down. The address also announced a new policy for homeless veterans. A commitment was also made to providing homes for other homless individuals, including young care leavers and victims of domestic abuse.
‘Economic dependency’ on net migration
Starmer told the conference that the government is committed to reducing both net migration and the nations “economic dependency upon it.” He pledged that the party has a commitment to reduce net migration by training ‘Britons to fill vacancies, rather than relying on overseas labour’. n his address, He stated: “I have never thought we should be relaxed about some sectors importing labour, when there are millions of young people, ambitious and highly talented, who are desperate to work and contribute to their community.” According to Starmer, the Labour government will ‘get tough and get the balance of the skills’ system right’. Although he did highlight that businesses across the country will need to be more flexible to adapt to ‘real training needs’.
Calls for restraint in Middle East
In relation to foreign policy, the prime minister kept it brief. Starmer called for restraint and de-escalation at the Israel-Lebanon border. He reiterated the government’s call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, for a hostage return deal, as well as a two-state solution. Starmer told the conference that he will bring this message to the UN Assembly in New York, which he is due to travel to following today’s address.
Introducing the Hillsborough Law
As part of his Labour Party conference address, the prime minister announced a Hillsborough Law, named after the 1989 tragedy which led to the deaths of 97 Liverpool FC fans. The law will require a duty of candour for public officials. According to Starmer, the bill will include criminal sanctions and will be introduced to Parliament before April 2025.
Employment rights bill to be tabled next month
In her speech, deputy prime minister Angela Rayner confirmed that the employment rights bill will be discussed in Parliament in October. If passed, the bill would bring Labour’s ‘New Deal for Working People’ into law. The legislation, which was first announced by the party in 2021, would mean “new rights for union representatives.” The party state that the bill will put an end to businesses firing and re-hiring employees and strengthen basic rights for workers.
Call for mechanism to properly respond to and prevent deaths
Bereaved families and expert human rights lawyers renew calls for the government to establish a National Oversight Mechanism at the Labour Party conference. Calls for an independent public body responsible for collating, analysing and following-up on recommendations arising from investigations into state-related deaths.
Earlier this month, the Grenfell Tower Inquiry published its final report on the avoidable deaths of 72 people in the 2017 fire. The inquiry recommended the government introduce a new legal mechanism to publish recommendations and their responses to enable scrutiny of action from Parliament.
Emma Jones, human rights partner at Leigh Day, said: “A National Oversight Mechanism would provide the essential accountability needed to prevent future deaths and offer justice for bereaved families who deserve more than just promises of reform.”
