Gary Neville praised the people of Liverpool and backed striking workers during an appearance at the Labour Party Conference.
The former Manchester United defender joked that the rapturous applause he received in the main conference hall was "the best reception he had ever had in Liverpool". The former footballer and pundit was speaking in conversation with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer at the conference at Liverpool's Arena and Convention Centre.
Now a Labour member, Neville trashed the record of the Tory government. He said Liz Truss had already managed to "tank the pound lower than his reputation in Liverpool" and said it was vital that the "tired and failing" Tories are now removed from office.
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But after the jokes about the former Man Utd star's rivalry with LFC, he heaped praise on the people of the city. He said: "Footballing differences aside, people in Liverpool work hard, they want opportunities, I think they are aligned with many people in Manchester and across the north."
He also praised striking workers, adding: "They don't want to go on strike, it's their last resort. We can't just accept that the people who got us through the pandemic don't deserve fair pay."
The former England player has been a surprise hit at the conference having joined the party some months ago. He spoke earlier in the day to call for an independent regulator for football.
Speaking with Neville, Labour leader Sir Keir reaffirmed a commitment he made in the ECHO earlier this week - that a Labour government would bring in a new Hillsborough Law to support to help prevent future injustices where there is state involvement.
He said his "heart was stopped" when he looked at the ages of Hillsborough victims at the Anfield memorial during a visit this summer, adding: "That's why we are going to change the law, to make sure that never happens again."
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