It may yet be a year and a half away, but the anticipation of a 2024 general election will make this autumn’s party conferences the biggest for a decade.
If the current Parliament goes its full term, to the end of 2024, we could squeeze in another conference season. But with all parties put on election-footing, policies and manifestos will be shaped now. Whether an early election is triggered or as the foundations are laid for a long march to the polls over the full term. And let’s not forget the May 2024 elections for regional mayors and police & crime commissioners, at a time of greater devolution of power and responsibilities.
As a result, expect 2023 to be a bumper year of civic, corporate and voluntary organisations taking part in October’s party conferences. Hotel rooms and fringe venues closest to the conference centres are fully booked already. With the Conservatives in Manchester vying for top spot with Labour in Liverpool, separated by a few days, many exhibitors and campaigners moving straight from one to the other. The mood and vibrancy of each conference judged closely for signs of confidence and any change of political direction.
The largest shared platform at party conferences in recent years has been the Youth Zone, with a full programme of events led by charity-partners with young people. Each tackling issues of the day and longer term inter-generational challenges. We return in our 14th conference season as the biggest ever. And this year we have added a dedicated Skills Hub, doubling the number of partners and events; with a focus on education, training and future skills, from schools to adult education and employment.
The Youth Zone and Skills Hub programmes will be announced shortly. Cross-cutting themes include Climate Change and the green economy, ‘education, education, education’ and community renewal. We will feature some of the partners, events and campaigns in the coming weeks and run up to the conferences.
What’s clear is that the party conferences will be used as a springboard for a new government of whichever political persuasion. Manifesto pledges, headline policy speeches and priorities for government discussed in detail: the 2023 party conferences will help frame the political agenda for the next few years.
Citadel 