As September begins, the political calendar turns towards the annual party conference season.

Following Labour’s decisive victory in the July general election, winning a 167 seat majority, this crucial period offers the major parties a platform to outline visions for the future, rally supporters, unveil key policies, and set strategic directions as they prepare for the May 2025 local elections and beyond. Here’s what to expect in the coming weeks.

Labour Party
22nd – 25th September 2024

With new YouGov research showing that Sir Keir Starmer’s favourability ratings have hit a low since he became PM, the upcoming conference is an opportunity for him to reaffirm his priorities and assure voters that he will stick to his election manifesto pledges.

Warning in his recent speech at 10 Downing Street that “things will get worse before they get better”, the PM is expected to use his keynote conference address to reinforce this message, focusing again on claims of an unexpected £22 billion black hole in public finances, and emphasising Labour’s commitment to fixing the foundations before rolling out other election promises.

Expect Chancellor Rachel Reeves to also echo the current rhetoric during her keynote speech. With the Autumn budget statement approaching, the Chancellor will likely stress the limited scope for borrowing, hinting at potential tax increases and spending cuts.

Conservative Party
29th September – 2nd October 2024

The Conservative Party conference will primarily focus on its leadership election. Over the coming days, the party will narrow the field to four candidates, with each remaining candidate having the chance to address members at conference.

Beyond winning over party members, each candidate must also demonstrate to the electorate that they can effectively lead His Majesty’s Opposition and offer a clear alternative to Labour. Current leadership frontrunner among Conservative supporters, Kemi Badenoch, has claimed the Tories need to “stop acting like Labour,” also admitting that it will take a decade for the Conservatives to recapture power.

Liberal Democrats
14th – 17th September 2024

Since the general election, the Lib Dems have flown under the radar despite the historic result of 72 seats. At conference, the party will likely make the case that it is the only opposition party best suited to hold the Government to account on the key issues such as pensions, social care, and water regulator reform.

The smaller parties

The Green Party celebrated its election success and its new parliamentary presence of four MPs at it’s conference over the weekend, where it aimed to lay out a left-of-centre alternative to Labour on issues such as the economy, the environment and benefits, arguing the need for greater investment in the economy.

After being accused of financial incompetence by opposition parties, the SNP will likely use conference time to show members and voters that the party are still a steady hand in Holyrood, despite Finance Secretary Shona Robison announcing £500 million in spending cuts to help cover public sector pay raises.

Reform UK, having secured five seats in July’s general election, will likely use its two-day conference to discuss its belief that Britain is broken, requiring a radical change to immigration and the economy, arguing for a renewal in British culture, identity and values.

Stay tuned, as the next few weeks are sure to be both revealing and influential.