‘Eyes on the prize’: union delegates dial down doubts about Keir Starmer

At likely final gathering of the TUC before next general election, focus was on chucking the Tories out of office

With perhaps just months to go before a general election, Keir Starmer's message to union leaders gathered for dinner in Liverpool on Monday evening was simple - as one official present put it: eyes on the prize".

The Labour leader gave a laid-back after-dinner speech to the assembled general secretaries, leavened with football gags - and received a standing ovation.