Standing ovation for Berger as she gives first Labour speech since return to the party

Luciana Berger was given a standing ovation as she gave her first speech since returning to Labour at the conference of the party’s rejuvenated students body.

The former Liverpool Wavertree MP told attendees at the Labour Students conference in Edinburgh that the organisation would be a “crucial campaigning force” to help put Keir Starmer into Downing Street.

Berger also said the party’s student wing, which was scrapped under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership in a Momentum led purge, now played a vital role in the battle to rid the National Union of Students of antisemitism.

A former NUS national executive member herself, Berger told the conference:”“It’s really heartening to see Labour Students return as a force in the Labour Party. I’ve seen firsthand Labour Students’ relentless work on the doorstep at election times and I’m sure they’re going to be a crucial campaigning force to help deliver the next Labour government.”

She also praised the direction Labour had taken under Starmer saying:”“I’m so glad the party has turned a corner with the EHRC taking the party out of special measures a few months ago, and now I’ve been able to return to my political home.”

Referencing the fight against anti-Jewish hate on campuses she told the audience “you also have an extremely important task ahead of you to win back the NUS and rightly return the student movement to a leadership that can be respected and that represents everyone.”

Berger later admitted the response she received on Saturday had left her emotional  tweeting:”Very unexpected and generous welcome from Labour Students.” I struggled to start my speech and had to keep the tears in check. It was a privilege to join your conference and respond to all the important questions.”

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also spoke at the event later tweeting:”It was an honour to speak to so many young Labour members about the future under a Labour Government. Let’s go out and win it together!”

At the 2019 Labour conference Momentum founder Jon Lansman won the backing of the Corbyn dominated ruling NEC for a motion that argued Labour Students was not officially affiliated and should be replaced.

The move against Labour Students, largely because of its opposition to hard-left politics, sparked anger amongst many MPs and moderates in the party.

Berger, now CEO of the public affairs company InHouse Communications, announced her return to Labour in February, having quit over antisemitism in the party under Corbyn.

Ben McGowan, chair of Labour Students told Jewish News: “All of us in Labour Students were proud to give Luciana a warm welcome back home today. We’re deeply sorry that the party ever left her, and Labour Students will do all it can to make sure antisemitism never blights our party again.

“Beyond our party, we’re committed to ridding the student movement of antisemitism, and to continue offering our support to UJS, particularly following the devastating reports of antisemitism in the NUS.

“As an organisation, Labour Students is rebuilding and this event is the biggest gathering of students in the party in years. At the next election, we’ll be mobilising thousands of activists on the doorstep to ensure our generation has a better future with Labour.”