Hillsborough Law at Conference – Sunday 28th
Keir Starmer opened Labour’s conference in Liverpool amid an outpouring of emotional unity. There were tears on the platform and on the floor of the conference hall as he embraced Charlotte Hennessy whose father was one of the 97 Hillsborough victims.
Moments earlier he had praised her and the many other campaigners who fought so long for changes in the law that would prevent others suffering as they and their loved one have done.
Charlotte described the anguish they suffered and recognised that Keir had honoured a pledge, made in opposition, by delivering the Public Accountability Act, known as the Hillsborough Law.
She said the law was for all victims of public scandals. Orgreave, the Post Office, Infected Blood and a string of others that shame our institutions and those who have held power.
“No more cover ups, no more abusing positions of power” she told us. Something everyone in the hall could be deeply proud about.
As Keir reached out to her we all wanted to embrace her and all those she spoke for. And then, as we joined a choir singing You’ll Never Walk Alone, the tears came.
Adam Chadwick – 29/9/25