From robodogs to giant giraffes and expensive fizzy drinks, we go inside the Labour conference to reveal some of the weirdest things spotted at the event in Liverpool
Party conferences are always a proper barmy affair, and this year’s Labour event in Liverpool was quackers.
Full-blown Burnham-mania swept through the city as Prime Minister Andy Burnham returned to his Merseyside roots to deliver his first conference speech as party leader.
Burnham’s occasionally been dubbed the “David Brent of politics” in the media, and he looked every bit the chilled-out entertainer as he roamed around the main stage without a tie.
But the PM also struck a serious chord, setting out his bold vision for Britain while fighting back tears as he paid a touching tribute to his late dad, Roy.
The party faithful loved every second, jumping to their feet in unison to give him a roaring standing ovation.
But outside the main hall, madness reigned supreme. Here are the weirdest and wackiest moments spotted by the Daily Star during our time on the ground.
1. Andy Burnham rubber ducks
Because nothing says “high-level political discourse” quite like a squeaky yellow duck wearing a suit.
Freebie-hunters were going wild for mini plastic versions of the King of the North, which were being handed out at an exhibition booth hosted by The Purpose Coalition.
Put one in your bath and pretend he’s handing down local transport policy while you scrub your knees. Quackers!
2. Giant giraffe towers over delegates
Just when you thought the exhibition centre couldn’t get any weirder, delegates were greeted by a massive, life-sized giraffe towering over the stalls.
Don’t worry, it wasn’t a lost zoo escapee – it was hosted by the brilliant team at Chester Zoo, whose experts held a panel on how reintroducing species like wild beavers and white-tailed eagles can restore ecosystems.
Still, he was definitely the highest-ranking attendee in the building.
3. Eye-watering £2.75 cans of Coke
Cost of living crisis? Not inside the conference compound.
Thirsty party members getting the pre-speech jitters were forced to cough up nearly three quid for a simple 330ml can of fizzy pop.
At those prices, you’d expect the Prime Minister himself to come and pour it into a gold-rimmed glass for you.
4. Minister claims warm ale and dogs in pubs is ‘far-right fantasy’
In easily one of the biggest gaffes of the week, Labour’s nature minister Nature Minister Jenny Riddell-Carpenter dropped jaws by claiming that the nostalgic vision of country pubs, a pint of warm ale and a black Labrador sitting by your feet is actually a “far-right fantasy that never existed”.
Tell that to pub-goers across the nation who’ve spent their whole lives sipping bitters with a retriever named Buster.
Ironically, pictures were later uncovered of the minister cuddling her own beloved pooch in a pub.
5. Gordon Brown’s vintage tie makes comeback
In a blast from the past, Chancellor John Healey rocked up to the stage wearing a bright red tie he originally lent to Gordon Brown back in 1999.
Brown actually signed the tie before handing it back, and it’s been sitting in a wardrobe ever since.
There’s nothing like wearing a quarter-century-old piece of signed neckwear to make sure your outfit has political cred.
6. Protestor wears creepy Burnham mask
If the rubber ducks weren’t enough, visitors were spooked by a campaigner wandering around outside the conference perimeter wearing a hyper-realistic mask of Andy Burnham’s mug.
The creepy look was courtesy of a demonstrator from Clean Up Westminster making a point outside the venue.
Walking down the street and seeing those dead eyes staring back at you was enough to give anyone nightmares.
7. Terrifying robo-dog patrols conference
Forget man’s best friend – this metal monster looks like it bounced straight out of a Black Mirror episode.
Spotted at a defence systems stand run by Oxford Dynamics, the four-legged futuristic hound was standing guard and scaring passing delegates.
There’s no word yet on whether it runs on AI or sheer political ambition, but we wouldn’t recommend throwing it a stick unless you want your arm taken off.