This year marks Labour’s first conference in government since 2009, and anticipation is high. What key themes and decisions might emerge from the new Government as they navigate the unique blend of excitement and tension that only a Labour conference offers? Expect the usual highlights, from high-profile speeches by Cabinet members to the more unpredictable members’ votes and debates.
We know the new slogan is ‘Change Begins’, but Labour folks are remaining decidedly tight-lipped about what is coming up – speculation is being carefully managed, and it seems unlikely that we are going to see any rabbits pulled out of hats. Indeed, during the New Labour years under Tony Blair, Labour’s annual conference (outside of election time) tended to err on the side of setting priorities and the direction of travel rather than announcing new policies. Starmer’s Labour has enjoyed big media moments at its conferences in the last few years, but having crossed the Rubicon from opposition into government, shiny new announcements are not what Liverpool 2024 will be about. Anyone that followed the General Election will know that Labour has no lack of policies; the question now becomes one of delivery and timescales against the inherited backdrop of a gloomy economic picture, which Labour has put front-and-centre of its communications output since taking power.
Will Labour use the conference to give a nod towards what the Chancellor may announce in terms of tax changes in her Budget at the end of October? Slim chance of that. Labour has kept schtum for months, only offering confirmation that ‘taxes on working people’ – namely VAT, employees’ NI, and income tax – are untouchable. Anything not ruled out already remains in play.
Labour’s ‘low hanging fruit’ – the ‘Six First Steps’ policy areas which they thought they could quickly deliver on – may come back to the surface in Liverpool to point to progress that has already been made.
On the economy – don’t expect a shift in direction even by a single degree – or to hear anything to pre-empt the October Budget. As Labour outlines its problematic inheritance, we expect to hear the solutions too. The end of so-called ‘sticking plaster’ politics should allow Labour to outline its ambitions post-Budget and its number one mission for government – economic growth.
On housing – Labour wants to see 1.5m new homes in this parliament and this – alongside the New Deal for Working People – will be at the top of the list for the Deputy Prime Minister. Industry has been non-judgementally sceptical about the scale of the Government’s housing ambition – it would be good for Labour in Liverpool to outline exactly how it can make this happen.
On energy – Labour’s GB Energy will be taking centre stage. Ed Miliband’s preferred style of evangelising about energy – through the lens of family finances and bringing down people’s bills – by investing in the skills, infrastructure, and technology of tomorrow to bring about growth, energy security, and heading towards net zero, will be all over conference this year.
On business – Jonathan Reynolds will be spearheading Labour’s commitment to business once more. The massively over-subscribed Business Day will feature keynote speeches from cabinet members, Q&As, panels, networking, and some above-average conference complex catering. Expect the business audience to make it loud and clear, cordially, to the politicians attending their views on possible changes to Capital Gains Tax in the Budget. Workers’ rights will also be high on the agenda, with the audience eager to hear whether Labour intends to implement these from day one or after a probationary period – something media reports suggest is currently being debated by Labour’s top team. This will also mark the first time a large number of business leaders are speaking with the new Government’s top team since the election, providing an opportunity to gauge those all-important initial reactions on how businesses perceive Labour’s performance thus far. Watch this space.
On science, innovation, and technology – Peter Kyle’s remit is one of the busiest and complicated in government – intersecting many other portfolios. It will be his job to bring all of those threads together into a cohesive message that puts the UK at the top of the list for cutting-edge and state-of-the-art businesses and research institutions – once again leading back to Labour’s core mission of economic growth. He’s a passionate torchbearer for his Department, so seeing how this comes together will be of huge significance.
On health – expect to see Labour talking up its commitment of 40,000 new NHS appointments coming on stream, but a much broader look ahead towards new technology and preventative healthcare will be on show too (a particular passion for Starmer and Streeting alike).
On transport – Louise Haigh will be top of the pops for many this conference, with eyes keenly fixed on what she has to say about Labour’s plan for the railways and bringing them back into public ownership – as well as plans for local bus routes under regional Mayors, which brings us on to…
Devolution – will Labour’s Metro Mayors – of which there are many – get more of a spotlight this year? It’s possible – the Government is committed to increased devolution to regions. Certainly, we expect the regional Mayors to have crammed diaries with many organisations very keen to get their foot in the door with new and returning Labour Mayors.
But Labour’s tone and delivery will be just as crucial as what is said (or not said) in Liverpool. The upcoming conference will celebrate the historic landslide victory (albeit slightly stoically), acknowledge the inherited challenges, and outline plans to rebuild the economy and society. Will we feel some of the green shoots of optimism starting to come through? Yes, I would think so.
Labour also, just last week, appointed a huge stack of its new MPs in non-governmental roles – ‘Missions’ Champions – two per region with an extra MP each taking on a specific portfolio across crime, energy, growth, health and opportunity, so expect to see a decent effort to boost the profile of these up-and-coming fresh faces.
by Chris Lee, Associate Director
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