A HIGH-RANKING Labour figure has said the upcoming party conference could “shape the future of the country”.

Ian Lavery, chairman of the party, said he was “buzzing” as the party conference kicks off tomorrow at the Brighton Centre.

The former miner said the conference, where Labour members decide on party policy, will be “historic” as an election is on the horizon.

Mr Lavery said: “The fact Parliament has been prorogued means there will be lots of discussion on important issues.

“We’ll be debating Brexit, the NHS, and other issues.

“It could be a conference that will shape the landscape of the future.

“People from all over the country will come here, it’s going to be magical.”

Despite the serious topics up for debate, the Newcastle-born MP said he most looked forward to having a pint on the seafront.

“Brighton’s got this wonderful atmosphere, it’s a diverse city,” he said.

“People generally have a smile on their face.”

The party conference is set to start tomorrow.

The first day will dominated by debate over policy.

But crowds will gather at a large tent in Old Steine in the evening as Jeremy Corbyn will address supporters at Momentum-backed event The World Transformed.

Mr Corbyn will speak at 7.30pm alongside Brighton activist Elsie Bradley Middle, who organised a strike with Wetherspoons workers last year.

On Sunday discussion at conference will continue.

But environmental campaign group Extinction Rebellion will march from Hove Lawns to the Brighton Centre at 10am.

The group will demand Labour take “urgent action” on climate change if they are elected.

Meanwhile Brighton and Hove City Council leader Nancy Platts will speak about what her council will look like if a Labour government is elected.

The event, called “Councils Under Corbyn”, starts at 3pm on Sunday at the Brighthelm Centre.

Later Cllr Platts will welcome her party to the city at the Brighton Pavilion at 6.30pm.

On Monday at 11am Brighton Kemptown MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle will join shadow home secretary Diane Abbott at a rally for youth services at The Old Ship Hotel.

Children of the Crew Club youth group in Whitehawk will question Labour figures there.

At 6.30pm Brighton Housing Trust chief executive Andy Winter will join Labour MPs at the Jubilee Library to call for “housing revolution”.

On Tuesday Mr Russell-Moyle will join Mr McDonnell and others in Old Steine to rally for a socialist Britain at 7.30pm.

Finally on Wednesday Mr Corbyn will make a speech to supporters at the Brighton Centre to close out the conference.