Keir Starmer heckled throughout main convention speech

Keir Starmer’s first major conference speech as Prime Minister has been briefly interrupted by a heckler shout abouting the war in Gaza.

Towards the end of the PM’s address the protestor could be heard saying the “children of Gaza” – before he was bundled out of the arena at the party’s annual conference.

But the PM – who had glitter thrown over him during last year’s speech by a protestor – quipped back: “This guy has obviously got a pass from the 2019 conference.” He added: “While he’s been protesting, we’ve been changing the party. That’s why we got a Labour Government.”

During Mr Starmer’s address on Tuesday – the first speech of a Labour PM to the party’s conference in 15 years – he addressed the crisis in the Middle East and demanded a ceasefire in Gaza.

He told delegates: “This is a time when great forces demand a decisive government prepared to face the future. We can see that again in the Middle East today.

“So I call again for restraint and de-escalation at the border between Lebanon and Israel. I call again – for all parties to step back from the brink. I call again – for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The return of the hostages. And a recommitment to the two state solution. A recognised Palestinian state. Alongside a safe and secure Israel.”

Ahead of next month’s Budget – which the PM has previously warned will be ‘painful’ – Mr Starmer said there would be difficult choices ahead. He said the Tories had wasted 14 years “mining the pits of division”, adding: “Do not let them shift the blame – the state of our country is on them”.

But he added that there is a need for the country to “turn our collar up and face the storm” as he promised to rebuild the country.

He said: “What will people get to show for it? They’ll get a country with its future back. Renewed by respect and service. Rebalanced towards the interests of working people. Confident in its values and story, because together we took action.

“Millions who feel better off, without being told they are by politicians. Going to the supermarket without a calculator, because the nation’s numbers now add up.

“More money in their pocket to do the things they love and more faith in public services because once again Labour has rebuilt them.”