Keir Starmer's personal popularity has reached a new low, according to the latest Opinium poll conducted for the Observer. Despite the typical expectation of a "bounce" in ratings following a party conference, Starmer experienced the opposite effect during his first Labour conference as prime minister. The poll reveals that his approval ratings have fallen to their lowest point ever, significantly trailing behind those of Rishi Sunak. This decline highlights the challenges Starmer faces in gaining public support, even amidst extensive media coverage of the conference.

**How Keir Starmer, Former Flautist, Was Influenced by His Musical Journey** During a recent address at the Labour party conference, Keir Starmer, the party leader, shared a lesser-known aspect of his upbringing that shaped his character. While he often speaks about his working-class roots, including his father's profession as a toolmaker and their modest home, this time he focused on the joy music brought to his childhood. Starmer revealed that playing the flute was a significant source of happiness for him, alongside his passion for football. "I don’t think you were expecting that, were you?" he quipped to the audience in Liverpool, highlighting the unexpected nature of his musical background. He emphasized the importance of music in his life, describing it as a "great joy" during his formative years. Starmer also expressed his desire to address the decline of creative arts, advocating for a renewed focus on the opportunities that music and the arts can provide for young people.

The Labour leadership faced a setback at the party's conference, losing a significant vote that called for the reversal of cuts to winter fuel payments. This outcome is seen as a disappointment for Downing Street, especially as the Prime Minister and his cabinet had emphasized throughout the conference their commitment to responsible management of taxpayers' money. The motion's defeat highlights ongoing tensions within the party regarding fiscal policy, with union leaders advocating for increased investment rather than a return to austerity measures.

Keir Starmer, currently in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, has been vocal about the recent decision to means-test winter fuel payments, which is expected to be a contentious topic at the ongoing Labour party conference in Liverpool. In a series of media interviews prior to his departure, Starmer faced questions about the impact of this decision on pensioners. During an appearance on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Starmer was asked multiple times if he would apologize to pensioners affected by the cut, particularly highlighting the case of Chrissy, a pensioner with arthritis who expressed her concerns about rising fuel bills. Starmer, however, sidestepped the question, emphasizing the difficult economic situation inherited from the previous government, which he claimed left a £22 billion deficit. He stated, "I am really concerned that we’ve been put in this position. When you inherit an economy with £22 billion missing, it is a really difficult set of choices." Starmer asserted that the Conservatives, who were in power before Labour, should be the ones apologizing for the financial mess they left behind. The Labour party conference is set to debate the decision regarding winter fuel payments, with delegates expected to support a motion from the Unite union that condemns the government's actions.

**Starmer’s Conference Speech: A Hit or Just Jargon? – Politics Weekly UK** Keir Starmer delivered his inaugural conference speech as Prime Minister, aiming to instill hope in the nation about a brighter future. But did he succeed? In this episode, John Harris engages with Pippa Crerar, the Guardian’s political editor, and Kiran Stacey, the political correspondent, to analyze the effectiveness of Starmer's address.

Keir Starmer is set to deliver a speech at the Labour conference, with concerns rising among the party's left wing regarding his proposed crackdown on benefit fraud. The Prime Minister is expected to convey a message of cautious optimism, but the announcement regarding benefit fraud has raised alarms within the party. In a recent article for the Telegraph, prominent psephologist Prof Sir John Curtice criticized Starmer for failing to articulate a clear vision for the future of the country. Alastair Campbell, former communications chief for Tony Blair and co-host of the popular podcast "Rest is Politics," echoed this sentiment during an interview on the Today programme. He noted that while the government initially started strong, it was somewhat derailed by recent riots, despite their effective handling of the situation. Campbell pointed out that a communication gap has emerged as the conference season approaches. He emphasized the importance of strategic communication in government, stating that it is crucial to continuously devise, execute, and narrate the government's strategy and objectives. When this clarity is lacking, particularly in the face of a hostile media environment that often treats Labour and the Conservatives with double standards, it can lead to distractions filled with trivial matters. He argued that the public's confusion is a reflection of the government's failure to communicate effectively, rather than a fault of the public itself. During his speech in Liverpool, Starmer will announce new legislation, known as Hillsborough Law, which aims to empower victims of injustice in their battles against the state. This law will impose a legal duty of candour on public servants, including police officers, ensuring greater accountability.

**Monday Briefing: Can Labour Shift the Mood at Its First Conference in Power?** In today’s newsletter, we explore whether Labour can rejuvenate its message at its annual conference in Liverpool, following criticism of its pessimistic tone and recent controversies surrounding Keir Starmer. Good morning. Since Labour's victory in July, the party's messaging has taken a decidedly downbeat turn. Instead of capitalizing on the optimism that accompanied their significant win, Keir Starmer has focused on foreboding forecasts of challenging times ahead. His recent message to the nation emphasized that “things will get worse before they get better.” Critics argue that starting his premiership with such low expectations is a risky political move; if there was ever a time to inspire hope and positivity, it is now. As the party conference begins, many are questioning whether the government will move past the gloom that has defined its initial months in office and shift the narrative toward a more hopeful vision for the future. In a recent interview, Starmer expressed his intention to present a more optimistic outlook for Britain. In other news, the situation in Gaza remains dire, with reports of an Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced individuals, resulting in seven fatalities. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has declared an “open-ended battle of reckoning” with Israel, following a series of rocket attacks, as global powers urge both sides to de-escalate tensions. On the political front, Rachel Reeves is set to announce investigations into over £600 million worth of Covid contracts awarded during the Conservative government, as Labour seeks to regain the initiative amid ongoing ethical scrutiny. In Sudan, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed grave concern over a full-scale assault on the city of al-Fashir by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, calling for an immediate halt to the violence. In business news, the pub industry is facing significant challenges, with an average of fifty pubs closing each month in England and Wales during the first half of the year. Experts warn that potential tax increases in 2025 could exacerbate these difficulties for many establishments. On a more positive note, fuel prices in the UK are experiencing a notable decline, with households now paying approximately £4 less to fill up their cars compared to a month ago. As Labour's conference unfolds, all eyes will be on whether the party can successfully pivot from its current narrative and inspire a more optimistic vision for the future.