Keir Starmer’s speech at Labour conference got off to a rocky start on Tuesday after a protester stormed the stage and doused him in glitter.
The man rushed on stage of the beginning of the address in Liverpool and shouted: “We demand a people’s house, we are in crisis – politics needs an update. We are in crisis.”
The protester is a supporter of the group People Demand Democracy, whose T-shirt he was wearing and which later claimed responsibility for the stunt.
The man was removed from the room by security after the microphone was cut.
Following the incident, Sir Keir, who has repeatedly highlighted how he has shifted the party since Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, told the audience: “If he thinks that bothers me, he doesn’t know me. Protest or power?
“That’s why we’ve changed our party, conference. It’s just as well it was me, because my wife’s dress is really beautiful.”
The Labour leader removed his jacket after the stunt, before beginning his speech with glitter on the shoulders of his white shirt.
Sir Keir Starmer was doused in glitter at the start of his keynote speech
The protester was removed from the conference building through a rear exit by two police officers before being placed in a police van and driven away from the site. He shouted “democracy first” as he was removed from the venue.
People Demand Democracy campaigns to replace the House of Lords with what the group calls a “permanent citizens assembly”.
This would effectively means the upper house would be selected at random like a jury, or what the group refers to as a “democratic lottery”.
They also support proportional representation for Commons elections. The group is not large, and as of 3pm had around 40 followers on Twitter.
A statement posted on the group’s website attributed to the protester said: “A House of Citizens will realign power in society, it will empower people to set the agenda, guide policies and keep politicians in check. We all need a chance for a seat at the table, we all deserve a voice in the room.
“A People’s House brings people together like a jury, and provides the time to hear from experts and scientists to decide what policy is best for everyone.
Sir Keir Starmer was doused in glitter at the start of his keynote speech
“The Labour Party has been captured, donors and lobbyists have more control over Keir Starmer than his members. A House of Citizens will force politicians to listen to people, it dismantles their relationships with the rich, it would create meaningful change in our economy and fix inequality.
“It would address the climate and ecological emergency and transform our country. It would listen to scientists and communities and unearth consensus, not profit off conflict and division.”
The group says it wrote a letter to both Sir Keir and Rishi Sunak asking them to “implement our demands by 30th September 2023 or we will take proportionate action to get our message across”.
The protester has been named by the Press Association news agency as Yaz Ashmawi.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said a 28-year-old man from Surrey had been arrested on suspicion of assault, breach of the peace and causing public nuisance.
Security at the Liverpool venue was notably laxer than that at the Conservative conference in Manchester last week, with limited bag-searched for attendees on the way in, in contrast to the full airport-style security for Rishi Sunak’s party.
Sir Keir used the speech to address themes of housing and devolution, pledging Labour would bring the UK a “decade” of national renewal.
In a nod to New Labour, the opposition leader said the country had “13 years of ‘things can only get better’ versus 13 years of ‘things have only got worse’”.
The protester was dragged away by security
“This is what we have to fight: the Tory project to kick the hope out of this country. Drain the reservoirs of our belief,” he said.
“I have to warn you: our way back from this will be hard, but know this: what is broken can be repaired.
“What is ruined can be rebuilt. Wounds do heal. And ultimately that project – their project – will crash against the spirit of working people in this country. They are the source of my hope.”
