While the Tory party has argued itself into an impossible position, with almost open warfare over Brexit and the PM digging in behind Chequers, rejected by the EU and certain of defeat in the Commons, Labour gathers for perhaps its most important conference for over 70 years. For the country is without a functioning government in the true sense, and is faced with uncertainty, incompetence and a river of internal inquiries and reviews. Labour must show itself ready to cast aside its own squabbles and prepare for government. No just an ordinary government but one which may well come to office in a moment of national crisis.
It must this coming week stick to all its ambitions to nationalise the railways and public utilities, invest in infrastructure, housing and the modernisation of services and communications. Labour must reboot the economy into a new model which works for the many rather than the few. If it does that it will get the opportunity to shape our national history for the better. Above all it must not get bogged down in Brexit. People have lives to lead and they are fed up with it. For most people it is not the only worry in their lives and for many it hardly counts.