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Conference Day 2
Today was the economy and prosperity debate. I arrived early in the conference hall to try and secure a chance to speak in the debate. After hearing from apprenticeship providers and entrepreneurs who are leading the way in the economic recovery and re-building of our economy, I was called to speak.
I called on the government to quickly bring forward legislation to restore stability to the financial system with a deep bite in to the bonus culture – and if banks didn’t change their behaviour, I urged the PM and Chancellor to tax excessive bonuses away from them. I also welcomed support for young people, to ensure that unlike in the 1980s and 1990s no one is put on the scrapheap and instead that we are guaranteeing work or training to every 18-24 year old out of work for a year.
It’s been a great day that has seen Labour uniting and setting out our vision for the future – with Alistair Darling, Peter Mandelson and Ed Miliband all addressing conference.
This evening it’s two fringe meetings for me – Housing Futures and Urban Hubs. And tomorrow, Gordon needs to give the speech of his life to set out his vision for a fourth term.