With the UK Labour Party consistently ahead in the polls, and the country reflecting on a chaotic year under this Conservative Government, attention has naturally turned to the Opposition, and to what a Keir Starmer-led Government could look like.
This week saw Labour provide more detail on their approach and policy priorities as they launched Gordon Brown’s report ‘A New Britain: Renewing our Democracy and Rebuilding our Economy’ and held a major business engagement event attended by the Labour Leader, Shadow Chancellor and many other senior Labour figures where the Party stressed their keenness to engage with business. Riding high from a successful Labour Party Conference in September, over the last few days Starmer and his team have sought to demonstrate further what a Labour Government after the next General Election will focus on, and to show just how much they have changed since the Corbyn years.
Labour Party Business Conference 2022
Labour’s sold-out business conference in Canary Wharf welcomed 350 attendees from businesses around the country. Addressing the conference, Sir Keir Starmer recognised the event and audience were clear evidence of how much Labour has changed in recent years. ‘Partnership’ was the word of the day as members of the Labour frontbench stressed how much they value engagement and input from business. Alongside the frontbench was an impressive line-up of business speakers, including from Microsoft UK, Tesco, M&S, Aviva and the CBI. Sponsors of the event included the household names of HSBC and SSE. Labour used the event to launch the findings of their start-up review, as well as to hold discussions on navigating economic uncertainty, industrial strategy, skills, and delivering national and regional growth through trade. The sense from the audience was positive too, with a recognition of the effort being made by Labour to reach out for input and expertise.
Of particular note, was the seriousness with which Labour had clearly taken the event. The conference heard from the most senior members of the Shadow Cabinet, including Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer MP, Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves MP, Deputy Leader Angela Rayner MP and Shadow Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds MP, as well as Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. Over lunch, 35 shadow ministers were in attendance to network with attendees, a demonstration of the importance being put on the conference from the Labour leadership. Of note too was the professionalism of Labour’s Shadow Cabinet. Each speaker demonstrated a clear grasp of their brief, handling questions from journalists and the audience with ease. Message discipline was on show too, as each of them claimed that Labour is ‘back in business’.
Please see below for the analysis from our Edelman Global Advisory team. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you would like further information.