Reddy and waiting – Labour members gather in Manchester for party conference

Published: 1 October, 2010
by RICHARD OSLEY

LABOUR members from Islington headed to Manchester in force this week to welcome and celebrated the election of new leader Ed Miliband at the party’s conference.

A large share of Islington members were rooting for the younger Miliband brother in the leadership contest, which was resolved on Saturday. Islington South MP Emily Thornberry took an active role in his campaign and has since declared her interest in serving in his shadow cabinet.

But she disagrees with him on one point: electoral reform. While Mr Miliband told the conference on Tuesday he would support a change to the alternative vote system, Ms Thornberry is on record in support of the current first-past-the-post – a stance that once again puts her at odds with her two-time Lib Dem rival for her constituency, Bridget Fox.

Labour council leader Catherine West spoke from the conference stage on Wednesday of the threat of the coalition government’s new ‘free schools’ – independent schools that parents and community groups will get the chance to sponsor. She said they would “suck away resources” from existing schools.