The Aldersgate Group at party conferences

Charlie Clegg, Public Affairs Manager at the Aldersgate Group, outlines activity at recent political party conferences across the UK.

When the Aldersgate Group started to plan for 2024’s party conferences, we assumed things would be very different. Earlier this year, we shared the view of almost everyone in and around UK politics that the conferences would be a last rally before an autumn election: the Conservatives still in government, Labour still in opposition. But, in May, Rishi Sunak’s surprise announcement of a July general election changed all that. It changed our approach too.

With Labour now in power, we agreed Rachel Solomon Williams, Marie-Laure Hicks, and Charlie Clegg should attend their conference in Liverpool. Charlie and Alex Hutchinson attended Conservative Party conference in Birmingham. Given the rise in the number of Lib Dem MPs, Alex also attended their conference in Brighton.

Labour Conference

All eyes were on Labour Conference: the party’s first in government since 2009. The sheer number of people who had braved the rain in Liverpool made this an excellent time not just to meet others in the sector, members, businesses, and NGOs but also to engage a crop of well known and new MPs.

We enjoyed much success in meeting new ministers and speaking to new MPs. We found many were keen to discuss the opportunities associated with the net zero transition and nature restoration. With so much change in parliament, this was great to see as we started our parliamentary engagement. Our team left with many new connections and strengthened existing connections. It was also an excellent chance to check in with our members and others in the climate sector.

At the same time, conference saw Labour facing the reality of government after so long in opposition. When I spoke to others in the climate sector, I heard a consistent sense that the opportunities of a new government must be balanced with those realities. There can be no room for complacency on net zero whether within government or among those influencing government.

Conservative Conference

Despite the dramatic change in the Conservative party’s parliamentary representation since the last conference season, Conservative conference remained a worthwhile opportunity to take stock and engage. The ongoing leadership election invigorated the conference but it also presented a difficulty for engaging stakeholders. At the time of conference, we did not know the identity of the incoming leader or of their shadow spokespeople; nor did we know who their advisers would be.

Despite this, it was encouraging to hear so many pro-environment Conservatives, whether in or out of parliament, champion the party’s record on net zero and speak up for conserving climate and nature. At the same time, we saw the challenges such spokespeople can face, especially when addressing local infrastructure issues such as solar or grid developments.

Lib Dem Conference

In the wake of massive gains, the Liberal Democrats met in Brighton for their biggest autumn conference to date. Alex represented the Aldersgate Group there and described the mood as optimistic and cheerful. Like the Conservatives, however, the Lib Dems gathered before a new shadow team had been unveiled. Alex nevertheless enjoyed positive engagement with Lib Dem MPs and advisers. The conference has been a great chance to identify and engage many of the Lib Dems who can support our work in the new parliament.

Strategically, the party does not plan to deviate from the topics that served them well during the election: such as clean water and mental health. The party welcomes the government’s moves on industrial strategy.