RUSHES: Keir Starmer speech to 'Labour Connected' party conference

Keir Starmer speech to 'Labour Connected' party conference; ** PART 1 of 6 ** ENGLAND: South Yorkshire: Doncaster: INT Sir Keir Starmer MP (Labour Leader) speech to 'Labour Connected' 'virtual' 2020 Labour Party Conference SOT - Thank you Ruth for that incredibly powerful introduction and for paying me the huge honour of introducing me today. I know how hard the last few years have been for you. You exemplify the values I want the Labour Party to stand for. Thank you for everything you’ve done – and will continue to do – for this Party. I’m delighted that we’re here in Doncaster. My wife’s mum was born and grew up here – just next to the racecourse. We’re regulars here. Visiting family friends but also to go to the Ledger. Though of course sadly not this year. I’m also told that this is the first Labour Leaders’ Speech in Yorkshire since Harold Wilson in 1967. The circumstances were a bit different then. For one thing, Wilson was able to update conference about Labour’s achievements after three years in government. So I look forward to coming back one day in the same circumstances that brought Wilson here! I want to say a heartfelt thanks to the Labour Party staff and volunteers who have moved a virtual heaven and earth this week. To all the speakers, the panellists and the thousands of members who’ve taken part. I also want to say thank you to the Labour Party members, supporters and affiliates for putting your faith in me to be your new Leader. When you grow up in a small town in Surrey, you rarely thank your parents for naming you “Keir”. And when, as a teenager, I became the fourth member of the East Surrey Young Socialists, it didn’t seem likely that one day I would stand before you as the second Keir to be Labour leader. But I am, and it’s the honour of my lifetime to lead this great movement. These are extraordinary circumstances. The warnings yesterday from the Government’s advisors were stark. They can’t be ignored. Labour wi...