Just when things looked particularly bleak, for his party, Starmer finally took a stand

You can learn a lot from standing in the security queue at this year’s Labour party conference. The MP who whispered to a journalist: “The atmosphere in here is like Dignitas on the Mersey.” Or the charity worker asked to unroll the corporate banner she was planning to put up at a fringe event. To make sure it didn’t say anything offensive or constitute a thought crime. Such as support for Andy Burnham.

- John Crace

Others were a little more chipper. Upbeat even. That could just be because they’ve already given up caring, someone else observed. The worst has already happened. Conference aspirations narrowed down to trying to make the best of the next few days and hang out with old mates. Fair to say that most delegates have come to Liverpool with mixed expectations.

What a difference a year makes. Labour was riding high at its conference 12 months ago after its landslide election victory. Most of the country was willing to give it the benefit of the doubt. That it could turn things round after 14 years of Tory rule. That it would be a safe pair of hands. The grownups back in charge.