Labour Party gears up for conference

Friday, 24 September 2004 12:00 AM

Delegates will start arriving in Brighton tomorrow for the start of the Labour Party annual conference.

Running from Sunday 26th to Thursday 30th September, the annual showcase is likely to be the last before the general election. The date of May 5th is being widely banded about in Westminster, a rumour which there has been little attempt to dispel. This would be the first Thursday in May, when council elections are traditionally held, so it would offer a chance for an election double up.

The full conference agenda is not due to be published until Sunday afternoon, but education, transport and health are likely to top the agenda as is discussion about the leadership's vision for a Labour third term.

There is the possibility of an emergency debate on Iraq - something the leadership will be keen to avoid - and the unions are likely to be pushing for a debate on the renationalisation of the railways. Other delegate sponsored debates are possible on the BNP and Guantanamo Bay.

A confrontation with the leadership is possible on changes to council house repairs with unions pushing for councils to be given the same borrowing rights as housing associations, if tenants chose to stay under council control.

Hunting also provides a potential flashpoint - though not on the conference floor. Some form of demonstration by the Countryside Alliance is likely, though security around the conference will be extremely tight.

The last day of the conference will coincide with the Hartlepool by-election, called due to Peter Mandelson's decision to accept a job on the European Commission. The vote will be a key poll test for Labour, with the Liberal Democrats claiming to be close on their heels. Labour, however, will be defending a majority of just under 15,000.

The Liberal Democrats have already held their annual conference, and the Conservatives' will fall between 4th-7th of October, and be held in Bournemouth.

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