By Ben Kerrigan-
LIVERPOOL – Rachel Reeves cut a strong political figure during her memorable speech on the second day of the Labour party conference, as she attacked Nigel Farage’s reform party, referring to him as the biggest threat to our livelihood, and accused him of pedalling a racist policy on indefinite right to remain for settled migrants in the UK.
Reeves tackled multiple issues at the same time in her direct keynote speech
AD: Capeesh Restaurant
Sir Keir Starmer claimed Reform UK wanted to “tear our country apart” ahead of a Labour conference set to be dominated by questions over how to respond to Nigel Farage’s party.
She went further to warn that Farage is “in bed with Valdimir Putin” as she warned that Farage’s party would tear communities and families apart.
“Whatever falsehoods they push, whatever easy answers they peddle, however willing they are to tear communities and families apart, they are not on the side of working people. This is a fight that we must win, and it is a fight that we will win.”
AD: Oysterian Sea Food Restaurant And Bar
Her speech on the second day of the Labour Party Conference comes as the Prime Minister is under pressure with Labour trailing behind Reform in opinion polls amid worrying division in Starmer’s party.
Rachel Reeves and Sir Keir Starmer on stage on before the chancellor’s address to the party faithful. PAUL ELLIS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
The Chancellor of the Exchequer’s poignant speech was met by several standing ovations, as she sought to deliver blow after blow against both the Conservative and reform parties respectively. One of the flash points of her speech interesting claim that reforms plans under Farage to end permanent residence for migrants and even deport those already settled in the UK, is racist, but at the same time supporters of reform party are not necessarily racist.
Reeves explained that there were many possible reasons some voters may support the reform party.
She said: “you can support the Reform party and not be racist”, but added she was “not sure many people” supported their immigration policy relating to migrants working and living legally in the UK. Asked how that was true for people who support the plan to revoke the right to remain in Britain for some migrants, she told LBC’s Nick Ferrari: “I think it is a racist policy. “People support the Reform party for all sorts of reasons, but this policy is a racist policy.” Pressed on how she thought people could back the policy without being racist, she said: “You can support the Reform party and not be racist.”
The Chancellor went on to state that Nigel Farage’s agenda is the “single greatest threat” to livelihoods, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said during her Labour conference speech.
“Whatever falsehoods they push, whatever easy answers they peddle, however willing they are to tear communities and families apart, they are not on the side of working people,” she said.
She added that she “fundamentally” rejects the Conservative and Reform UK position that the economy is broken and that decline is “inevitable”.
Ms Reeves added: “Even now with the global uncertainty that we have seen ripple through financial markets, there are still critics out there who all too readily forget the consequences of reckless economic choices.”
“I do know that there are still people who peddle the idea that we can just abandon economic responsibility, cast off any constraints on public spending.
She stressed Labour would continue to fight to reclaim misspent money on PPE contracts and Covid “corruption”, as she told the party’s conference “We want our money back”.
Addressing members of her party at party conference in Liverpool, Ms Reeves said: “In the months ahead, we will face further tests, with the choices to come made all the harder by harsh global headwinds, and the long-term damage done to our country, which is becoming ever clearer.”
“We will face further tests with the choices to come, made all the harder by harsh global headwinds and the long-term damage done to our country,” which is made all the clearer, she told the party’s annual conference in the northern English city of Liverpool.
“There will be choices to take our country forward, and whatever tests come our way, whatever tests come my way, I make this commitment to you: I will take no risks with the trust placed in us by the British people.”
Reeves had told businesses last November that she was not coming back with more borrowing or more taxes,. When reminded about how own words, she said: “I think everyone can see the world has changed, and we’re not immune to that change.”
She indicated that some tax increases would be necessary at the next fiscal event on November 26.
Asked whether she could repeat a statement she made to businesses last November that she was not coming back with more borrowing or more taxes, Reeves said: “I think everyone can see the world has changed, and we’re not immune to that change.”
Youth Mobility
Only yesterday, Sunday, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced her intention to negotiate an “ambitious youth mobility scheme” with European Union nations. This bold proposal aims to provide temporary visas for British citizens under 30 to live, work, and study across the EU. Crucially, the scheme would work on a reciprocal basis, allowing young EU citizens to enjoy the same opportunities in the UK.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves (right) speaking at the Global Progress Action Summit at Methodist Central Hall in Westminster. (Stefan Rousseau/PA)
This announcement represented a significant development in the government’s strategy for a post-Brexit economic reset. The Chancellor believes this increase in mobility will generate a tangible uplift in the UK’s economic performance, potentially reducing the need for tax rises in her forthcoming budget.
Ms. Reeves had told reporters before today’s conference that the initiative sought to restore opportunities lost to young people following Britain’s departure from the bloc. She stated her generation benefited from freedom of movement, and the current generation deserves similar chances to travel, gain experience, and learn languages.
The government has confirmed its desire to have the Office for Budget Responsibility formally assess the economic impact of the proposed arrangement, hoping to demonstrate a stronger economic outlook than the current post-Brexit forecasts suggest.
Politically, the youth mobility proposal is a carefully managed calculation. While the government remains committed to its “red lines”—specifically ruling out rejoining the Single Market or a return to general freedom of movement—this targeted scheme has broad public support.
A recent YouGov poll indicated that an overwhelming majority of the public, including a significant number of voters from the right, favour the establishment of a permanent youth exchange programme. The plan, which is modelled on existing UK arrangements with countries like Canada and Australia, would likely issue a limited number of two-year visas to young people with sufficient savings.
The economic rationale centres on addressing key labour shortages, especially within the hospitality sector, where the departure of EU workers has been acutely felt. Critics, however, argue that while beneficial for social cohesion and individual prospects, the scheme’s overall impact on Gross Domestic Product may be negligible in the short term.
They also caution that a small influx of temporary labour may not solve deeper-rooted productivity issues. This initiative represents one of the most visible attempts yet to address the “harm Brexit did to the prospects of young people.”
The move towards a youth mobility agreement is not an isolated policy. It forms part of a broader “Brexit reset” strategy. This strategy includes pursuing deals on mutual recognition of professional qualifications and a veterinary agreement to reduce border friction for agricultural goods.
Establishing a functioning youth mobility scheme could act as a crucial early win, demonstrating pragmatic engagement with Europe to secure economic advantages. The government views these sectoral deals as the path to a “mature, business-like” relationship built on mutual respect.
Finalising the details of a reciprocal visa system with the EU will require complex negotiations, potentially addressing concerns about immigration figures from opponents. Ultimately, however, the Chancellor is banking on the argument that increased opportunity for young Britons and a boost to certain sectors of the economy provide an unassailable case for a change in approach.
Experts note that a renewed focus on vocational and language skills, alongside the proposed mobility, would maximise the cultural and economic benefits.
She said next month’s spending plans will constitute a “budget with real ambition, a budget to fix the foundations, to deliver the change we promise, to rebuild Britain”, and confirmed tax hikes, including VAT on private schools, cracking down on tax evasion and extending an energy profits levy on oil and gas producers to invest in home grown energy.
She vowed that her party would restore stability following a period of inconsistent policy under the Conservatives with a series of long term plans
Reeves efforts to rubbish her political rivals whilst advancing her initiatives deserved the applause she received, but the task of weakening the growing support of Nigel Farage remains high, especially with the division in her own party.
AD: Heritage And Restaurant Lounge Bar
