The Labour Party conference is made up of two distinct worlds. One is the formal domain of the delegates, media, commercial interests and party politicians. This world is enclosed by security checks and ruled by lanyards. Contained within the Brighton Centre, the Grand Hotel and Hilton Metropole, this is a place of incremental deliberation, where politics is localised – often to a single room – and political leadership makes impassioned, carefully scripted speeches to huge audiences.
The other world looks and feels more like a music festival. Just down the road at the Old Steine Gardens, within large colourful tents, an education project called The World Transformed (TWT) sets up a space for the young, the radical and the alienated of the left to come and participate in politics.
During the Corbyn years, these two worlds, one organiser told me, had felt woven together – now, however, that connection has been severed. Leaving the station and stepping on to Surrey Street, the very first words I hear come from a young woman selling a copy of Socialist Appeal: “This is the paper Starmer doesn’t want you to read!”
This story is from the October 01, 2021 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 01, 2021 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Heathrow used by 200,000 passengers a day in 2024
Record numbers since start of the year as May strikes loom
Toffees end Liverpool title hopes with rare derby win
So now Jurgen Klopp has another reason why he will not to miss the Merseyside derby.
Another United comeback despite defensive mishaps
Bruno Fernandes produced a captain’s performance to save Manchester United’s blushes against rock-bottom Sheffield United, scoring twice and providing another in a 4-2 comeback win for Erik ten Hag’s misfiring side.
Can Poch steer Blues out of crisis of their own making?
As a former Arsenal player, Mikel Arteta could sympathise with Mauricio Pochettino as they shared the touchline at the Emirates.
Who could really be triggered by cosy old 'Terry and Fune'?
There’s nothing worse than going back to one of your favourite shows from days gone by – a nostalgic little comfort of a simpler time in your life, perhaps a sitcom you used to watch with your parents as a kid – only to realise that it’s aged about as badly as you have.
Amsterdam restricts hotels and cruises to curb tourism
The city of Amsterdam is escalating its campaign against overtourism on top of existing efforts to discourage problematic Brits abroad and crack down on tourist etiquette.
US just the latest to restrict TikTok due to security fears
TikTok is facing the prospect of being banned or unavailable for nearly half the world's population after the US moved to outlaw the app.
Gaza aid plan a cover for Rafah invasion, says UN
Giant dock floated by US could be used by Israeli army
Young girls drinking and smoking more than boys
Girls in the UK are drinking, smoking and vaping more than boys, while England is \"top of the charts\" globally for child alcohol use, a major report has found.
Ancient acts of destruction reveal lost secrets of Maya
A remarkable archaeological discovery is shedding light on one of history's biggest enigmas - the collapse of central America's ancient Maya civilisation.