Infrastructure fringe events are an interesting study in political topic-framing. While frequently focused on solving a panoply of practical problems, they often also give rise to a more wide-ranging ideological debate, as parties grapple with what their views on train times and building bridges say about their preferred big picture.
Hence, it has been a consistent theme at Labour Conference in recent memory that, in a talk on any given infrastructure topic, at one point or another, a voice would pipe up from the rear of the room in favour of renationalisation.
Whatever the permutations of the knotty discussion at the front, as frontbenchers functioning in the shadow of Blair explored their responses to the workings of recently-privatised markets, the focus was firmly on proper functioning and mitigation of excess, as opposed to any more radical path.
But this was often in stark contrast to the views of a certain faction on the left of the party. These dogged voices – a little older and less polished perhaps, emanating from the grassroots or the party’s union base – might have been out of step with the talking heads, but they continued, persistently, to call for the return of state control.
And now they have an ally at the top. With Jeremy Corbyn transformed from comedy candidate to Twitterati darling and newly-crowned king, his radical rise has put propositions previously far from favour back into the centre ground.
This past weekend, the new leader, fresh from a frenzied first week, stated his proposal of a phased resumption of national administration in the railways.
In fact, for the man in any street beyond the hallowed environs of SW1, this might not sound such a barmy suggestion. While the Westminster consensus has admitted little alternative to the privatised status quo, it is often said – with reference to various statistical revelations – that a majority of the public favours renationalisation.
So could this new anti-conventional mood find favour among disaffected voters and the wider party ranks?
Certainly, one of the more interesting indicators on display next weekend in the conference rooms of Brighton will be who’s commanding the floor on renationalisation. Will the roles be reversed, banishing the Blairites to the back to berate a newly-energised campaigning left wing? Or will the new Corbyn order already find itself mired in nuance and compromise?
DeHavilland will be covering hundreds of fringe events, speeches and receptions over the coming weeks. Sign up for free conference news and insights online here.