Labour Party Conference 2018: The key events and hot topics to look out for as party gathers in Liverpool

The Labour Party's annual conference begins this weekend in Liverpool - with the party poised for key speeches on Brexit, nationalisation of the railways and the party's commitment to Women and Equalities.

Eyes turn to the conference as it takes its first major opportunity to remind the public what it stands for, as leader Jeremy Corbyn hopes to get back to business after a period of internal muck throwing.

There has been relative calm for Labour in the past week, with attention shifting onto Theresa May's crumbling grip on the Conservatives amid the EU's rejection of her Chequers proposals for Brussels.

Now Labour hopes it has a chance to bring back support, with increasing speculation that Mrs May could face a snap election.

So here's everything to expect from the Labour Party Conference, as party members arrive this afternoon with the conference officially starting tomorrow morning and lasting until Wednesday.

Brexit

Brexit has dominated the party conference season, and pro-EU MPs and activists are likely to use this week's events to drive for support of the People's Vote campaign for a second referendum. Both Jeremy Corbyn and his top ally, shadow chancellor John McDonnell, have resisted the calls - instead hoping a general election is their best hope.

Last year they avoided calls for a vote on the party's position - but with the March 29 deadline fast approaching, there is likely to be hot debate across the conference. It's understandable, then, why Brexit will be the first topic for discussion after the opening speeches on Sunday.

Women and Equalities

Up before Brexit, however, Women and Equalities chief Dawn Butler leads a special Women's Party Conference from noon today, promising to put Equalities centre-stage for the party.

She will say: "So far we have seen seven different ministers for equality tagged onto four different departments and a budget that's nearly been halved.

"This proves the Tories are not taking equalities seriously. By establishing a Department for Women and Equalities, Labour will ensure equalities is the common thread running through its government. The next Labour government will put equality centre stage."

Corbyn will be hoping this approach will put the dampeners on an anticipated re-run of bad feeling over his handling of anti-semitism allegations which Gordon Brown called a "stain" on Labour, and some Jewish members said they no longer felt secure in the Party. While there's no specific event booked to discuss anti-semitism, the topic is bound to crop up.

Austerity

Mr Corbyn announced before the conference that Labour are going to place a huge focus on anti-austerity measures, aiming to make his “most direct pitch yet to people in post-industrial towns and communities”, with speeches tackling the impact of de-industrialisation and the drop in people's living standards.

New policies will also be announced at the event to “empower local communities” and boost neglected areas, the Guardian reported.

In his statement released by the party Corbyn said cuts and government mismanagement have “left many of our towns and communities hollowed out and without hope”.

“It is Labour’s mission to represent the hopes and aspirations of working-class people in our country," he added. "Our country needs to radically change course and this week we’re going to be laying out our plans to rebuild Britain for the many, not the few.

“We’ll show this week how we’re going to transform our broken economic model, have a rebirth of our great public services and give local communities the control they need to make their towns thrive again.”

De-selection rules

Momentum, the grassroots activists' group which helped to propel Mr Corbyn to the leadership, is pressing for a change to party rules which could make it easier to de-select sitting MPs, prompting fears among moderates of a purge by left-wingers.

In-fighting

Deputy leader Tom Watson will not be speaking from the main platform after failing to agree a satisfactory slot, but he may vent his frustrations with the leadership during a series of appearances on the fringe.

"Re-building Britain"

Mr Corbyn speaks at a rally at Pier Head in Liverpool today, to mark the start of conference, and delivers his main speech on Wednesday, while some polls suggesting his popularity with the wider public is slipping. His slogan for the conference is "Re-building Britain, for the many not the few", incorporating his leadership's staple maxim.

Labour party Conference Timetable

Saturday 22nd September

• 11:00 Women’s Conference Registration

• 12:00 Women’s Conference – Auditorium 1A – ACC

Sunday 23rd September

• 10:30 Opening Formalities; NEC Chair’s Address; CAC Report; General Secretary’s Report; Awards

• 11:20 Part democracy

• 12:45 Seminar - Brexit

• 12:45 Seminar - Environment, Energy, and Culture

• 12:45 Seminar - Work, Pensions, and Equality

• 14:15 Party Democracy; Women's Conference Motion; Financial Reports

Monday 24th September

• 8:15 Seminar - International

• 8:15 Seminar - Justice and Home Affairs

• 8:15 Seminar - Health and Social Care

• 9:30 CAC Report

• 9:55 Wales Report

• 10:05 Public investment and ownership

• 12:15 Shadow Chancellor's speech

• 14:15 Scotland Report

• 14:25 Social security and skills

Tuesday 25th September

• 8:15 Seminar - Early Years, Education, and Skill

• 8:15 Seminar - Housing, Local Government, and Transport

• 8:15 Seminar - Economy, Business, and Trade

• 9:30 NEC and CLP Constitutional Amendments

• 10:20​ Brexit and the economy

• 14:50 Security at home and abroad

Wednesday 26th September

• 9:05 Tackling inequalities

• 12:15 Leader's Speech

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