12 October 2023

As Labour Party Conference drew to a close this week, Alice Perry, Cicero UK Director – Public Affairs and former Chair of Labour NEC, shares her insights on what unfolded in Liverpool and what this means for the Labour Party going forward.

This excerpt is part of the full analysis the H/Advisors Cicero team put together for our clients on Labour’s vision for the country and policy platform. For the full report get in touch.

From protest to power 

The contrast between the Labour Party Conference in the Corbyn years and the Labour Party Conference in 2023 is profound. Part of Labour’s electoral strategy will be to demonstrate to the country that it is “safe” to vote Labour. The Party used Conference as a platform to show how Labour has reconnected with the concerns of ordinary working people, is on their side and has moved from being a party of protest to a party ready for power. 

Showcasing General Election candidates 

The Conference was a forum to showcase Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidates (PPCs). Establishing the PPCs within their local constituencies is crucial to winning seats from incumbent Conservative MPs. PPCs made speeches from the platform addressing local concerns and priorities, which were clipped for social and regional media. PPCs also attended training and briefings to ensure that both MPs and PPCs stay disciplined and on message. 

5 Missions to 5 Pledges 

At the end of Keir Starmer’s speech, Labour staff were handing out leaflets outlining 5 pledges. These pledges were linked to Starmer’s 5 Missions but designed to appeal more directly to voters and signifies a new phase in the Party’s policy communications. Labour pledged to get Britain building, switch on Great British Energy, get the NHS back on its feet, restore law and order and break down barriers to opportunity. Conference also passed Labour’s National Policy Forum final documents, containing the narrative and broad direction of travel of a Keir Starmer Government. 

Pro-business, pro-worker 

This was one of Labour’s biggest-ever conferences in terms of commercial visitors, with Monday’s business day selling out in record time. Over the last year, Labour has been heavily investing in their business engagement and outreach as part of the strategy to rebuild credibility and public confidence and to build relationships across business and industry as part of preparations for a potential Labour Government. Alongside this, the shadow cabinet voiced their support for plans to put Labour reforms and improving workers’ rights at the heart of their pro-business, pro-worker agenda. 

Winning Scotland 

The mood within the secure zone was generally relaxed and focused rather than triumphant, but mentions of Rutherglen and Hamilton West were greeted with big cheers. Starmer’s team recognise that the smoothest route to a Labour Government runs through Scotland. It has taken Scottish Labour a long time to recover from the 2015 General Election wipeout, but belief is growing that Labour is turning a corner and can become the largest party in Scotland. 

Shadow City Minister Tulip Siddiq MP spoke to attendees at our Labour Conference drinks event

For our full analysis on Labour’s Conference, its policy proposals and what they mean for business, get in touch Alice.Perry@h-advisors.global.