“Giftgate”, Sue Gray’s modus operandi and a slide in Labour’s poll lead have all combined to make the remarkable victory the party achieved back in July seem like a daydream.

Yet, as he toured the regional party receptions last night, Keir Starmer was in a positive mood and was warmly received by members. The atmosphere was buoyed by the fact this is the first Labour conference in power since 2009. Starmer quipped he has been bonding with Larry the cat, saying they have common ground in throwing pests out of Number 10.

Curiously, the PM was nowhere to be seen on Laura Kuenssberg’s BBC show this morning, defying the long tradition of a leader's interview to open conference. Instead, it was up to his deputy, Angela Rayner to face the grilling over donations and declarations, where she was on the defensive but also set out her housing and workers’ rights plans.

In her interview, she highlighted plans for a “significant” increase in the building of council and social housing but would not be drawn into the details, saying the amount depends on the site, whether that’s in a New Town, on brownfield land or the so-called "Grey Belt". She also mentioned a review of Right to Buy to stem the loss of council homes to private ownership.

On employment reforms which make business uneasy, she reaffirmed Labour’s guarantee that workers’ rights will apply from day one - but failed to go into detail on exactly which rights might apply immediately, days after Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds suggested probation periods would still be allowed.

Starmer's absence risks being seen as an under fire premier ducking scrutiny, even if the decision is motivated by the Tory leadership contest making it unlikely Rishi Sunak will appear on next week's edition either.

Labour will be hoping to use the rest of conference to get out of the weeds and back on track. The next few days present a big opportunity to restate its vision and offer some hope compared to the recent doom and gloom. Government is a serious business, but even Number 10 would admit it may be time for a chink of light when Starmer addresses members on Tuesday.

(Photo provided by Keir Starmer on X)