Dan Jarvis MP

Much has been said and written this week about Margaret Thatcher’s period in office. Friends and foes alike have rightly and on the whole respectfully acknowledged the achievements of a prime minister who won three general elections, led our country for more than 11 years and dominated the face of British politics. But the view of her premiership from the area where we represent in Barnsley is as stark as it is damning. Barnsley was a town built on coal.

It’s great to be here – although like everyone I hoped to be coming to this conference under very different circumstances. It has been a sobering week for us all. And I want to begin by paying tribute to my great friend Jim Murphy, following his decision to step down as Leader of the Scottish Labour Party. Jim was a fearless campaigner who stood up to lead Scottish Labour in difficult times. And he deserves our gratitude and applause for everything he’s done for the Labour cause.