Look out for
Ed Miliband, the leader of the Labour Party, will address the conference in Liverpool in the afternoon. He is expected to argue that the future government needs a new bargain and new set of values.
Miliband will argue against the idea that economic growth and the creation of wealth and jobs can only come through the support of company executives. His ideas include changes to the welfare system, as well as a move to support companies which provide training and long-term investment with tax incentives.
He is expected to speak of the choice to side with the true wealth creators and asset strippers, which he argues should be subject to a different set of regulations and taxing systems. He will say that those people who are working hard and honestly are currently not rewarded by a failed system, which has previously supported the wrong people, with the wrong values.
While addressing the housing crisis, Miliband will say that those people who give something back to their community should be rewarded, by putting them at the front of social housing queues. Test-phases for this initiative are already being carried out in areas like Manchester and Newham.
The Labour leader will also argue that universities should address the inequalities in access to higher educational institutions.
Signs of trouble?
There could be trouble from Miliband’s own ranks, including former minister Tessa Jowell, who believes the party is not reaching out to its voters. He also faces potential resistance from trade unions, who have called on him to help protect public sector pensions. Miliband believes he can counter these concerns by offering voters a new position against the banks and those institutions said to be responsible for the financial crisis.
A ComRes poll published today gives the Conservatives a one point lead over Labour, and found that only 24 per cent of the participants saw Miliband as a credible future prime minister, highlighting the challenges he faces in his speech to conference today.
On the fringe
The disappearance of state education: what will our schools look like in 2016? Sharon Hodgson, shadow minister for education takes part in a panel discussion chaired by the Times Educational Supplement editor, Gerard Kelly. More details
Conference Timetable
Morning – 9.30am: Conference opens
Speech by Gareth Thomas, Chair of the Co-operative Party
Panel discussion on “Creating strong and sustainable communities” with Mary Creagh, shadow secretary of state for environment, Meg Hillier, shadow secretary of state for energy and climate change, Angela Eagle, shadow chief secretary to the Treasury and Ivan Lewis, shadow secretary of state for culture, media and sport
12.15pm – Break
Afternoon – 2.15pm: Conference reconvenes
Speech by Ed Miliband, leader of the Labour Party
4.15pm – Policy Seminars