Angela Rayner has called on Labour to “rise to the moment and deliver for working people” in her closing speech at the party’s conference.

The deputy leader issued a rallying cry to attendees, telling them: “A moment of choice is upon us, a moment to show the country that we are ready to govern.”

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Ms Rayner highlighted new policies announced by Labour this week, such as the publicly owned Great British Energy company, and the pledge to make the UK a clean energy superpower by 2030.

She said: “This week we have shown how together we will transform this country and the depth of talent across our party, and we have come together to honour our history as only Labour can.

“Be in no doubt, the times ahead are going to be tough.

“Now, let’s rise to the moment and deliver for the working people of Britain.”

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‘Historic Labour governments’

Labour has been determined to show it is a government-in waiting at the four-day conference in Liverpool.

Ms Rayner’s speech built on the message from Sir Keir Starmer, who declared the party is “once again the political wing of the British people” – a reference to former leader and PM Tony Blair.

Ms Rayner also gave a nod to her predecessors, saying it was an honour to close the week “as John Prescott did”.

She reflected on “historic Labour governments and their legacy”, such as the NHS and National Minimum wage.

But she said one party tradition she does not like is losing, and she looks forward to returning in a few years as the party of government.

Read more:
From civil war to hope: Labour’s mood is lifting
Starmer faces genuine opportunity to reach No 10

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Johnson ‘plotting comeback with glint in his eye’

The shadow minister took aim at the Tory prime ministers since 2010 during the joke-laden speech, which tore into the Conservatives’ record in government over the last 12 years.

She described Liz Truss’s new cabinet as a “ministry of all the talentless”, adding: “When I looked at the benches opposite last week, I thought the clowns had escaped the circus.”

And she said Boris Johnson will be plotting his comeback “with a glint in his eye” following last week’s mini-budget, which has caused mayhem in the financial markets.

Ms Rayner took to the stage after shadow health minister Wes Streeting outlined plans to improve access to GPs, including making them offer face-to-face appointments and allowing bookings to be made online.

In another policy pledge on the final day of the conference, Bridget Phillipson, the shadow education secretary, said Labour would ensure every primary school child in England has access to fully-funded breakfast clubs.

Conference concluded with renditions of The Red Flag and Jerusalem, with Ms Rayner and Sir Keir joining in.

The Conservatives’ conference is due to start on Sunday in Birmingham, but the government is facing calls to recall parliament due to the economic crisis.

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