Amid briefing he would point the way to the sunny uplands, in practice Starmer's address was as much about managing expectations as it was about outlining a vision for the future.

Opening with a Star Wars inspired crawling text of all the seats won in July, the Prime Minister’s speech reeled off a list of policies already achieved such as the launch of GB Energy – which he confirmed would go to Aberdeen - and new commitments such as housing for veterans and an updated Hillsborough law. The speech was quickly mocked online as an awkward gaffe – where the Premier called for the “return of the sausages” when demanding the return of Israeli hostages from Hamas – before Starmer began to find his stride and declared “Labour is just getting started”.

Starmer’s to-do list encompassed a crackdown on knife crime, the introduction of a real living wage, a modern industrial strategy, a 10-year plan to overhaul the NHS, and sweeping devolution to regions and cities. He also pledged a significant levelling-up of workers’ rights and the rebuilding of public services. These promises were wrapped in the Prime Minister’s rallying cry of “change has begun.”

Starmer acknowledged people would be sceptical of new promises from a politician – for many not least because his Premiership has already been marred by briefings between No.10 advisors and claims about donors buying his suits. But in a more upbeat way than in his earlier Downing Street address, he warned of difficult times ahead and promised “brick by brick, we can build a new home, a better home, built to last, built with pride, but above all, built together.”

It was a rousing sentiment from the Prime Minister who received a standing ovation by the party faithful in Liverpool. The underlying message was clear: Labour may be in power but transformative change won't happen overnight. As Starmer himself put it, change is “a marathon, not a sprint”.

One of the most controversial points debated in recent weeks has been the decision to cut the winter fuel allowance for pensioners. Addressing this issue head on, Starmer acknowledged the concerns but called for patience and trust. "If this path were popular or easy, we would have walked it already," he admitted, seeking to appeal to those who feel uneasy about the difficult road ahead.

Amid the serious policy discussions, Starmer found moments to try and lighten the mood, sharing an unusual story about being recognised in the Lake District and revealing that playing the flute brings him peace of mind, especially when public opinion isn’t particularly favourable.

As the 56-minute speech drew to a close, the Field team were left asking one simple question, will Starmer’s “decade of renewal” feel like yet another decade of waiting for real change to happen? Only time can tell.

(Photo provided by The Times)