Challenge for Starmer on stark display as Labour conference begins

Leader needs to draw a line under the chaos and offer hope - to his party and to the nation

In the imposing marble rooms of the Methodist Central Hall in the heart of Westminster on Friday, the great and the good of the progressive movement gathered at what many fear is an existential moment for their brand of centre-left politics.

Keir Starmer was on punchier form than usual, telling the summit audience that he was up for the fight against the populist right's industrialised infrastructure of grievance".