A Conference Season With More Twists and Turns Than ‘Strictly…’ This Year

Party conferences held at the start of a new political cycle are usually marked with jubilant celebrations or cold-blooded recriminations depending on how you fared at the General Election. This year was no exception… but just not where it was expected.

Despite securing a 172-seat majority and with over 20,000 people in attendance, the Labour Conference in Liverpool felt fractious. Discontent over the leaderships decision to cut winter fuel allowance for pensioners was manifest among many party delegates and politicians and this was only amplified by media scrutiny of the same leaderships willingness to take freebies under the rules. The realities of adjusting to life and the unrelenting pressures of being in Government were also very apparent alongside the lack of a coherent narrative around why and how change should and would matter to those that voted for Labour.

In amongst the (minimal) policy announcements and recycled anti-Tory rhetoric, the Prime Minister delivered a strong critique of populist politics, labeling them as the approach of making “easy decisions,” and instead prioritised growth, housing, energy, and skills. However, achieving these goals may prove more difficult in practice. Those around the Cabinet table might want to reflect on the skills and expertise that Labour has already built up in local Government and the regions to help them in office.

As we near the end of Labour’s first 100 days we await to see whether legislation securing a fair deal for workers can please both business and the unions (as the fringe meetings seemed to indicate it would). Plus, while Labour might secure some more positive headlines around their global investment summit in mid-October all eyes are on the Budget at the end of the month and the consequences that will follow from taking some ‘hard decisions in the nations interest.’

Despite suffering the worst general election defeat in 150 years, the Conservative Conference in Birmingham was in high spirits. Commentators have suggested, variously, that the party is still in denial over the result; is happy to be relieved of the burden of Government; is distracted by the leadership contest. It’s probably a combination of all three.

Of the candidates running to lead the party, the charismatic centrist, James Cleverly, undoubtedly gained the most ground during conference and is now seen as likely to join the front-runner on the right of the party, Rob Jenrick, in the final two put forward by the MPs for the party members to decide via ballot. Both those candidates would like to be in position to respond to the Budget on the 30th October but this has yet to be decided by the party. The entertainment of the hustings aside, it was useful to reflect on the realities of life in office with senior figures in the party and learn from their experience of trying to deliver their policy agendas in practice.

The Liberal Democrats were coming to terms with the fact they now had 72 members in their Parliamentary Party. It is fair to say that they had not worked out what do with them by the time of their sunny seaside get together. They were also waiting to see who would take the reins on the Conservative benches and how Labour would play the Autumn Statement. So, a conference characterised by more questions than answers but they took the opportunity to reinforce their existing policy stances on closer ties with Europe, protecting the NHS and championing the environment.

Finally, while we did not attend the Reform conference in person we should not omit them from this note. Reform caused an electoral headache for both Labour and the Conservatives and while they may not present a threat on the green benches, all the three main parties will be seeing how well Reform structure and organise themselves as a party going forwards and how well they perform next spring in the local elections.

So, while each party conference was very distinct from the other this year they all finish with one thing in common, and that is – it’s all to play for!! Keeeep dancing!!!!