Government and campaigns
Last week, the Prime Minister officially fired the starting pistol to the General Election (though an actual date is still TBC). This week, it was Labour’s turn to respond. As many predicted, the mood in Liverpool was certainly more upbeat than it had been the week before, though just as Labour MPs were told not to pop the champagne corks during 1996’s Party Conference, the memo from the top team this year was not to “get giddy” over a potential election victory. A week is a long time in politics after all. Corks mightn’t have been popping but the “Starmeritinis” and “Keir Royales” on offer made up for that.
While MPs were on their best behaviour (until the annual Mirror party when many of them let loose at karaoke), the excitement at conference was palpable and it was clear from the many, many businesses in the room that Labour is seen as the government in waiting, and Sir Keir the next Prime Minister.
Fringe listings were extensive this year with economic growth, skills, net zero, and good work the focus for the REC team attending.
Shadow team messaging was on point with a number of our asks around Apprenticeship Levy reform, joined up government working, and an Industrial Strategy coming up at almost every event. We know that Labour has been in listening mode, openly engaging with business and industry in a way it hadn’t for some time – and it was clear that much of industry’s common messaging has been heard. However, that certainly doesn’t mean the REC’s work is over – there’s plenty to do, particularly on issues relating to agency workers.
As part of that work, it was great to partner with the Institute for Government (IfG) to discuss recruitment and retention in public services. Joining the REC’s Kate Shoesmith was the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Dame Meg Hillier and Assistant General Secretary at the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Kate Bell. The panel agreed that better working conditions – from improving pay and benefits, to offering more flexibility and good workplace culture – were important but in addition, treating public sector workers with respect was critical. The REC’s Kate highlighted the need to overhaul procurement strategies and create proper, long-term workforce plans that genuinely work and include everyone working in the labour market.
Elsewhere, Angela Rayner reaffirmed Labour’s commitment to its New Deal for Working People, with changes to the minimum wage (expanding it to younger workers) a ban on zero-hours contracts, and an end to fire and rehire confirmed. She also committed to make more progress on closing the gender pay gap, giving workers basic rights from day one, and making work more “family friendly.” She told an eager conference hall that Labour’s agenda for working people would be delivered hand in hand with trade unions – the REC will also be continuing to work with Rayner’s team and ensuring the views of our members are represented. Punchy speeches continued with both the Shadow Business Secretary and Shadow “iron” Chancellor setting out their plans. Reynolds confirmed that reforming the failed Apprenticeship Levy was a priority, while Reeves outlined plans for more investment to boost growth.
Of course, the main speech came on Tuesday, with crowds filling not only the main conference hall, but several overflows as well! The backdrop to this Labour Conference is of course overshadowed by the terrible events in Israel and Palestine – in his speech, the Labour Leader told conference delegates that Israel will always have a right to defend herself. He received a standing ovation for that (though there were many). However, before Starmer even got to that, Christmas came early, in the form of a green glitter bomb that saw the Labour Leader covered head to toe! Sparkly Starmer simply removed his jacket, rolled his up sleeves and cracked on, which will certainly have won him some kudos across the board. The conference hall(s) were electric and Starmer certainly delivered a barnstorming performance, and while the rhetoric was powerful, at times it felt a bit all sparkle, and no substance. It took 50 minutes before Starmer made any policy announcements, and most weren’t new. Leaders’ speeches don’t tend to be policy heavy, so in one way, it’s not hugely surprising and there may be strategy to hold things back until nearer the election.
Announcements around more homes and towns took centre stage although someone on the shadow housing team did agree with us privately that it would be a struggle to get all the workers needed to make that pledge a reality. Starmer echoed some of his Deputy’s commitments around zero hours contracts, while saying Labour would boost private investment. He announced a new National Wealth Fund for this, though as with most of the policy announced, further detail is needed on what that Fund will actually do in practice.
Starmer’s speech was about providing hope, while recognising the challenges ahead, it was about differentiating himself from the Prime Minister – someone he accused of being “out of touch” with the realities of a cost-of-living crisis. Starmer described Labour as the “party of service” which would focus on “a decade of national renewal”. Labour is a party hungry to win after a successful conference. From a business perspective, while the Party is asking the right questions, a lot more detail is needed to put these ambitions and policies into practice – and business and industry, including REC members – need to be at the forefront of that discussion.
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