Written by Andrew Clark
Following Reform Party Conference over the weekend, attention now shifts to Labour Conference, which provides the Party leadership with a key opportunity to attempt to reset the spiralling political narrative that has pervaded the last 12 months.
There’s little doubt that after last year’s optimism from the built environment sector, this year the mood is more cautious, with the focus shifting from promises to proof. Industry will be looking for tangible movement on major issues, including planning reform and housing delivery, and speculation and anticipation continues to build around the Government’s long-awaited announcement of New Towns locations, which could land during Conference and serve as a litmus test for Labour’s biggest housing commitment.
Steve Reed will give his first speech since taking on the Housing portfolio in Labour’s recent reshuffle and the tone he strikes will be critical to re-instilling confidence in Labour’s housing focus.
Observers will be eagerly watching both Prime Minister’s and the Chancellor’s speeches to see whether housing delivery remains front and centre as it was at last year’s Conference.
It will be difficult for Labour to avoid a narrative of a Government in chaos after the events of the last week but their performance at Conference will be critical in beginning to retake some control of the media narrative and shape public.
The Conservative Party Conference, meanwhile, is unlikely to lift Tory spirits as it continues to haemorrhage support to Reform despite Labour regularly offering up freebie political points to them. With internal tensions and declining support, the spotlight will squarely be on Leader Kemi Badenoch to demonstrate leadership and a clear vision, especially as they find themselves increasingly excluded from the national political discussion with Reform getting their elbows out on traditionally conservative issues like immigration.
On housing and general development, the Tories message is fractured. While there is a strong and growing YIMBY movement in the party nationally, it’s a divisive issue for them at a local government level. Their core vote, and the majority of their local councillors, remain firmly opposed to extensive new development and it seems unlikely this prevailing attitude will change despite what the party is saying in Westminster.
Conservative Party Conference, while smaller than Labour Party Conference, still provides them with a platform to demonstrate that, despite waning support in the polls, they are a serious and professional political party. Avoiding any public missteps will be critical in restoring their credibility in the eyes of their own supporters and the wider electorate.
As conference season unfolds, the sector will be watching closely – not just for headline speeches and Government announcements, but for the signals that shape long-term policy direction. Whether it’s Reform’s rise, Labour’s attempted reset, or the Conservatives’ attempt to regain footing, the coming weeks will be critical in understanding how political shifts may impact planning, development and growth across the UK.
If you’d like to understand how political shifts, both at a national and local level, may affect your project or business, get in touch at info@kandaconsulting.co.uk
