Ladders, not snakes

Labour's vision is about giving hope and lifting our young out of poverty

- JONATHAN ASHWORTH

The Labour Party conference starts in Liverpool today.

I've been a regular participant at these gatherings since 1996 - when I was a steward on the conference hall doors.

Having been to so many Labour conferences, I know not to get too worked up with the bar room gossip and the excitable hoo-hah about political manoeuvrings.

Sure, it's entertaining for journalists but it's mere flotsam and jetsam. What matters is whether your team sets out a vision of the future and delivers for the country.

The Labour Party is most successful when we place our driving mission for fairness and opportunity centre stage. That's exactly what Labour's top team are doing.

Take one of my personal big passions, the NHS, as an example.