This week, I had planned to write about the energy and optimism I felt at the Labour Party Conference—about the inspiring conversations I had with university vice-chancellors, investors, charities, planners, developers and more, all focused on Swindon’s future.

We spoke about building a fairer, greener, better town, and I left feeling proud and hopeful.

But Thursday’s horrific terrorist attack in Manchester has shifted my focus.

The murder of two Jewish men on Yom Kippur—a sacred day of reflection and atonement—was a brutal act of hate. I had been with Manchester’s Leader, Councillor Bev Craig, just the day before.

Seeing her on television the next day, standing alongside the Home Secretary in the........

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