Jeremy Corbyn's speech to Labour conference this afternoon (at 2.15pm) is today's most important political story by far. And, given the leader's first days in the job have been marred by gaffes and media attacks, Corbyn's team have managed this one pretty well. He's adopted some tactics from the hated "old politics," and they've helped him score some good coverage and steady the ship. But there's still everything to play for: how he performs today will be watched closely by the Tories, his enemies within his party and—perhaps for the first time—even some of the wider public. Here's the key things to look out for as we wait for Jez to take the podium
Here's me discussing Corbyn's speech on Share Radio this morning:
Here's me discussing Corbyn's speech on Share Radio this morning:
"I love my country"
Ever since Corbyn was criticised for not singing the national anthem at a Battle of Britain commemoration ceremony shortly after winning the leadership, he has suffered from a perception—particularly among the right-wing sections of the press—that he is unpatriotic. David Cameron is seen as patriotic by 76 per cent of Britons, while Corbyn is seen by just 36 per cent in the same light, according to Ipsos Mori research released last week. Today's speech will tackle this head on. In an unusual step for the usually more haphazard leader, Corbyn's press team pre-briefed selected sections of today's speech to the media, including a range of quotes on his love for the British people and their values. The detail of the speech is quite subtle, and distinctively left-wing; “It’s because I am driven by these British majority values [of decency and respect], because I love this country, that I want to rid it of injustice, to make it fairer, more decent, more equal," Corbyn is expected to say. But he'll be pleased with the more striking front pages this earned him. As well as splashes from the sympathetic Guardian and Mirror, the right-wing Telegraph teased this line too:
The new economy
Another key criticism of Corbyn is that he is "stuck in the 80s/70s/miners' strike/postwar consensus" (delete as applicable). In another smart move, Corbyn has put up Lucy Powell, his Shadow Education Secretary and a good media performer, to discuss new policies for the self-employed reported to feature in the speech. "They are a big growing number of people in our economy and job security for them is very poor... I think we are going to see some policy there around maternity and paternity pay for the self-employed," she said this morning. That seems intended to shows that Corbyn, while still pushing an unashamedly socialist overhaul of employment rights, is doing so in a way which is focused on improving the economy we have now, not the one we had in 1983.A better politics
The meat of today's speech, though, looks like it's going to be largely focused on Corbyn's plans for party reform and re-engaging people with politics. "I am not imposing leadership lines," he will say: “I don't believe anyone has a monopoly on wisdom—we all have ideas and a vision of how things can be better." That will go down well with the activists who voted him in, and will remind dissatisfied sections of the party to stay in line and respect his victory, at least for now. It won't mean much to the public, though.The right look
In contrast to his Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, whose transformation from scruffy radical to suited-and-booted statesman in recent days has been remarkable, Corbyn is still going for a dressed-down look. Aides are reportedly unsure whether he will wear a suit for today's speech, but a PA photoshoot yesterday showed him proudly displaying that most controversial of looks: sandals with socks. There's the new politics for you...
What is Twitter saying?
Possibly the most awkwardly staged "Me writing my speech" shot ever c/o JC. Complete with prominent lampshades. http://t.co/siPxhlKafv
— anne mcelvoy (@annemcelvoy) September 29, 2015
First set of reasonably good headlines for Corbyn, on morning of his speech http://t.co/P5T7llr37J — Isabel Hardman (@IsabelHardman) September 29, 2015
*** BREAKING NEWS *** Jeremy Corbyn WILL wear a suit AND affirm how much he loves the UK #Lab15pic.twitter.com/dH8Y7ExrNI
— General Boles (@GeneralBoles) September 29, 2015
With -100 as most left-wing & +100 as most right-wing, voters rank Cameron at +53, Farage at +62, & @jeremycorbyn at -80! @YouGov#Lab15 — Tim Bale (@ProfTimBale) September 29, 2015
