Prime Minister Andy Burnham will arrive in Liverpool this weekend for his first Labour Party conference as leader, facing immediate pressure to address rising immigration figures and define his vision for “economic renewal”.
The annual conference, which begins on Sunday, 27 September 2026, marks a significant milestone for Mr Burnham, who took office on 20 July 2026 following the departure of Keir Starmer. The Prime Minister is scheduled to deliver his first keynote conference address as leader on Tuesday, 29 September.
The gathering follows a high-profile diplomatic debut at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on 22 September. During the summit, Mr Burnham delivered his first address to the assembly as Prime Minister.
However, the focus has shifted back to domestic challenges ahead of the Liverpool event. Party veteran Harriet Harman has publicly urged the Prime Minister to use his keynote speech to directly confront the issue of immigration.
The advice follows official data showing a record 781 people crossed the English Channel in a single day in late September 2026, the highest daily figure recorded this year. Speaking on a recent political podcast, Ms Harman suggested that failing to address the scale of the crossings could undermine public confidence in the new administration.
A shift in economic policy
Beyond the immediate challenge of border control, the conference is expected to flesh out Mr Burnham’s pledge to move away from “40 years of neoliberalism”. The Prime Minister has frequently campaigned on a platform of regional devolution and economic restructuring, arguing that the UK requires a fundamental shift in how its economy is managed to benefit all parts of the country.
His address on Tuesday is expected to be a pivotal moment for his premiership, as he attempts to translate his previous successes as a regional mayor into a cohesive national strategy.
Readers can monitor official updates and policy announcements via the Prime Minister’s Office as the conference progresses.
Conference Schedule
The Labour Party Conference is being held at the ACC Liverpool. Key timings for the event include:
- Sunday, 27 September: Formal opening of the conference and initial policy debates.
- Monday, 28 September: Ministerial speeches and sector-specific policy announcements.
- Tuesday, 29 September: Keynote address by Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
- Wednesday, 30 September: Final day of conference and closing remarks.
Security around the Liverpool docklands has been increased in preparation for the event, which is expected to attract thousands of delegates, campaigners, and journalists for the Prime Minister’s first major domestic set-piece since entering Number 10.