Key Takeaways from Labour’s 2024 Conference.

Written by Emma Barnes and Chris Lee 

As the first Labour Party conference in government for 15 years wraps up, the newest additions to the Cavendish team – Emma Barnes (ex-Labour advisor) and Chris Lee (ex-Head of Comms for London Labour), share what they learnt from Liverpool 2024.

The run up to Conference was far from ideal – with briefings and counter-briefings about Starmer’s advisors and a string of stories on hospitality and gifts given to Ministers distracting from their attempts for a positive build up.

The most frequently asked question at Saturday’s welcome receptions and around the tables at the Pullman bar? Would Starmer’s chief of staff turn up following the salary media storm, or would she shun the limelight? In the end she was nowhere to be seen, allowing Labour some breathing space from the story and an attempt to move on to their plans for governing.

With just four weeks until the Chancellor’s first budget, we weren’t expecting new policy announcements. Instead, this gathering was all about reinforcing Labour’s roadmap for change and setting a clear direction for Labour’s future in power.

Angela Rayner: Unlocking housebuilding 

Opening the Conference, the Deputy Prime Minister laid out timelines and hammered home Labour’s intention to get on and build more homes.

She also focused on new laws on Renters’ Rights – which we expect to progress through the Commons this Autumn. She reiterated her Department’s commitment to devolution and promised to work with Metro Mayors to remove the rules, regulations and paperwork that stand in the way of the ambitious home-building project.

Most notably, she announced plans for a ‘brownfield passport’ – where the default expectation for planning applications is that they’re granted if they meet the criteria set. The speed and commitment to this goal is certainly one of the most tangible positive stories from the conference.

The sector definitely sees the opportunity, with developers and infrastructure projects occupying numerous stands across the Party’s fringe. Taking the boldest steps to be seen by politicians, there was even a pop-up zero carbon house standing proudly in front of the conference’s entrance.

Her last big message was emphasising Labour’s unwavering commitment to workers’ rights. With legislation expected later this year, and continuing reports of differing views across the Cabinet, there are expectations that the final form of this will evolve as legislation is thrashed out in Parliament. While Rayner is seen as the voice of working people and trade unions, the Business Secretary’s more pragmatic push to protect businesses is shared amongst other cabinet ministers. It’s not yet clear who will win the battle of how far these rights will go, so watch this space closely.

Rachel Reeves: A Growth-Centred Vision 

Monday is always the turn of economic policy, and Chancellor Rachel Reeves struck a more optimistic tone in her speech. In an oversubscribed and ticketed speech, her message was clear: Labour’s top priority in government is driving economic growth. Her crown jewel announcement? A new industrial strategy, set to launch in October and drawn up with Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds that looks likely to provide a comprehensive roadmap for rebuilding Britain’s economy.

There was some reference to the £22bn black hole that Labour say lies behind the decision to scrap winter fuel payments for pensioners, but it certainly felt like she was trying to gently move forward from the economic doom and gloom that had dominated the summer.

She also recommitted to delivering on Labour’s policy-heavy manifesto. One of the first initiatives we’ll see is the rollout of free Breakfast Clubs for primary school children. There’s no doubt this is a feel-good policy for Labour – and the only real hark back to Blair’s New Labour at this conference – with Reeves proudly declaiming the famous ‘education, education, education’ line.

In a move welcomed by many, Reeves reiterated Labour’s pledge not to raise corporation tax during their first term in office. However, uncertainty remains over what may happen with Capital Gains Tax in the upcoming budget. The election campaign saw her pushed on which taxes she’d be raising, and her media appearances at this conference were no different. We may have to wait until the Budget to find out.

Miliband on Energy Efficiency: A Major Step Forward 

Later that day, Ed Miliband outlined Labour’s ambitious plans to tackle energy inefficiency in homes. His proposal includes minimum energy efficiency standards for social housing and in private rentals, aiming for EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) Band C as a baseline. This initiative is a game-changer, helping millions of people escape cold and draughty homes while cutting energy bills and reducing environmental impacts.

The housing sector will likely see huge changes as a result, creating many associated jobs as millions of homes are brought up to spec. It’s a significant step toward improving living standards and addressing the UK’s sustainability goals.

Amongst conference’s younger attendees, it was Ed Miliband’s appearances on Labour’s TikTok channel that were getting all the attention. Perhaps another sign that this conference was policy light.

Starmer’s Vision for a Better Britain

On Tuesday, the Prime Minister’s speech focused on the broader challenges the country faces – and Labour’s aspirations to address them.

Starmer announced that GB Energy, Labour’s publicly owned energy company, will be headquartered in Aberdeen, a city that isn’t a Labour heartland but that could, if success continues, see Labour gains in next year’s Scottish Parliament elections. There’s always another election to fight.

In more personal moments, he highlighted the vital role of music, art, culture, and theatre in enriching young lives, emphasising that every child, regardless of background, should have access to these opportunities. He spoke movingly about his sister, a care worker, and his brother, who has additional educational needs, underlining his belief that everyone, no matter their background, should be treated with the same respect as a Prime Minister.

He also took a strong stand against racism and the politics of populism, committing to stamping out divisive rhetoric in favour of unity and equality. By far the most well received section of the speech, the sense of solidarity was palpable in the hall.

A Recalibrated Message 

If Labour’s goal this week was to recalibrate its message, they appear to have succeeded. At Tuesday’s famous Mirror Party, MPs, campaigners and delegates boogied the night away in a windowless basement of the conference centre and reminded themselves that they were the party of Government. Sipping cocktails and singing along to cabinet karaoke, the mood was lighter, moving from the gloom of a challenging economic inheritance and a week of challenging briefings (and biblical weather) to one of ambition and delivery.

Labour is no longer doing 50MPH with the headlights dimmed: they’ve switched to full beam and are heading for the motorway, setting their sights on the future and driving forward their plans to reshape – and in their words ‘rebuild’ – the country.