Keir Starmer has walked off the stage after wrapping up a speech some had billed as the most important of his political life.

The lead-up to Labour’s second party conference since their return to power has been less than ideal, with high-profile departures of both high-profile and behind-the-scenes government figures.

Incidentally, one of those figures – Paul Ovenden, who resigned amid reports of offensive remarks about Diane Abbott – was the PM’s long-term speechwriter.

Then there was the conference itself, which threatened to be overshadowed by apparent manoeuvring for the leadership from Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

The result was a lot of pressure on Sir Keir, a man who isn’t generally renowned as a master orator and communicator.

His speech seemed to go down a storm in

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