Sweep away fear

In what was the speech of the conference so far, Unite general secretary Len McCluskey made an impassioned plea to “mobilise the aspirations of millions” or else risk another Tory government.

Len McCluskey was speaking during the Work and Business debate when he argued that strong labour market institutions, trade unions and collective bargaining are vital in tackling inequality.

It was a clarion call for Labour’s policies to reflect the interests of working people in the aftermath of the Scottish referendum.

He said, “In the last week we have seen our politics turned upside down and inside out. We have seen our political establishment – including, let’s be honest, our own party – have a near-death experience in Scotland.”

The Scottish referendum had to be, “the tombstone on 20 years of our party’s indifference to the interests of the working class.” And it had taken “the referendum campaign to remind us that you ignore the hopes of working people at your political peril.

“This was not an upsurge of narrow nationalism,” he said.

“It was an upsurge in defence of our NHS; an upsurge against illegal wars; an upsurge against endless austerity; and an upsurge against inequality.

“It was a triumph of hope against apathy and fear. And our party has to be the party to bottle that hope.”

Len said there would be a lot of comment and debate over the referendum outcome. But for him there was just one lesson to be learned – and it was the most important one of all.

“Working people matter,” said Len. “Their views, their voices – and their votes.

“For a generation there have been pundits – including too many in our own party – saying we can forget about class.

“They said the working class aren’t interested in politics. Well go up to Scotland and see. They said the young don’t vote. Well go up to Scotland and see. See how they’ve been electrified by the engagement.”

It was vital for Labour to win the next election. The imaginations and aspirations of millions had to be mobilised. Fears had to be overcome.

He concluded, “And when we sweep away the Tories and elect the Labour government the country desperately needs, let’s also sweep away the fear and inertia which have shackled us for too long.

“Let’s stand before the British people as the party of peace, equality, and socialist change.”