All together now , Labour conference 2026

You truly couldn’t move at this year’s Labour Conference without seeing the slogan.

It was everywhere — on walls, screens, banners, stages and every available bit of space.

But this year, something felt different.

It didn’t just feel like a slogan.

It felt like a commitment.

Fabian Women held some excellent panels, and I attended more events, discussions and fringe meetings than I can honestly remember. There was the wonderful church service from Christians on the left, the Jewish Labour movement annual reception, and countless conversations in between.

Conference was busy. Exhausting. Vibrant.

But above all, it felt optimistic.

It felt like there was hope.

And then came the Leader’s speech.

I’ve been involved with the Labour Party in one form or another for most of my life. From my Red Wedge days, to becoming a Labour and Co-operative councillor, and later a Cabinet Member in Hackney.

Like any long-term relationship, Labour has sometimes driven me completely mad.

There are moments when we become too navel-gazing. When procedure becomes more important than purpose. When factionalism gets in the way of what brought us together in the first place.

And sometimes, we forget why we were created.

To serve others.

To change lives.

To be a driving force for progress.

I’ve heard a lot of Labour leaders’ speeches over the years. So I knew there was a huge amount resting on this one.

And it delivered.

There were important policy commitments — the National Care Service being one of the standouts — but what struck me most was the strength of the core narrative.

A reminder of what Labour can, and must achieve.

A reminder of what politics can be about when we lift our eyes beyond ourselves.

And, perhaps most importantly, a reminder of who we can be.

Not just as a political party.

But as a movement.

And not just as a movement.

As a nation.

So, Labour Conference 2026 — thank you.

Thank you for being your usual exhausting, packed, noisy and wonderfully vibrant self.

Thank you for the conversations, the arguments, the ideas and the ambition.

But most of all, thank you for bringing something back that politics can so easily lose.

Hope.

And after everything, perhaps that is exactly what we needed.