Reflections on the 2024 Labour Conference

This article was originally written for and published by Alpaca Communications.

The Labour conference in Liverpool this week has been a clear demonstration of the transition from a party of opposition to a party in power. I’ve been a frequent attendee over the last fifteen years and never seen the conference hall, fringe meetings and lobbyist-laden bars so thriving. Party members shared excited discussions about policy, the deluge of newly elected MPs took their elevated places on panel debates, and crowds jostled for a chance to get a selfie with new cabinet members. In stark comparison with where the Labour Party was just five years ago, they now present as a competent, confident and rational group of decision makers.

Energy was one of many pressing topics discussed both inside the main conference hall and in the multitude of fringe meetings, with much focus placed on energy security, the net zero transition and reducing household bills.

Inevitably, Great British Energy was mentioned in several speeches but details still remain relatively sketchy, with the huge task of creating and steering this new state-owned clean energy company falling to the relatively inexperienced newly elected MP for Rutherglen, Michael Shanks. The entity will help to fund new and existing clean technology, as well as small and medium-sized renewable energy projects, and its HQ has been confirmed as Aberdeen, as part of the efforts to transition the city’s economy away from its fossil fuel dependence.

Solar power was given a significant mention in both Energy Secretary Ed Miliband’s keynote speech and in several fringe meetings with DESNZ Minister Sarah Jones and others, demonstrating that it will be a key focus of their energy policy going forward. The necessity of accelerating towards net zero through building more renewables projects and the focus on ‘home grown’ energy will ensure Westminster-based support for solar schemes across the country. There is also clear desire to secure solar panels on public buildings such as schools and town halls, as well as on social housing in an effort to reduce bills for those who are most vulnerable.

Reduction of energy usage and, more importantly, wastage through providing better insulated homes was also a key plank of the Government’s policy announcements.

Another area which should bring additional hope and comfort to energy project developers is the Labour Party’s focus on removing barriers in the planning system and overcoming the NIMBYism which has tormented many proposals in recent decades. A pro-development rally took place, with organisers dishing out ‘Proud to be a YIMBY’ lanyards which could be spotted around the necks of thousands of conference attendees across the four days. “Build, build, build!” exclaimed Jeevun Sandher MP, the new Chair of the Hydrogen All Party Parliamentary Group when challenged on public acceptance of low carbon hydrogen schemes. This supports an early Rachel Reeves speech where she stated that “the answer can’t always be no” when communities are presented with new proposals. The details of how this will be implemented still need to be hammered out, but the signs are good for both project developers and community consultation specialists like Alpaca.

A potential unintended consequence of this is that it could result in pushing the Conservatives towards an even more NIMBY stance as they seek to win back votes in the often rural communities where these proposals are put forward. This might result in tougher posturing from local MPs and councillors, which will make careful navigation of local consultation and political engagement even more vital.

As always, political conferences are about the headline grabbing snappy statements rather than the detail, so much will be reliant on the finances and priorities set out by new Chancellor’s first Budget on 30^th October, but the initial optics for our industries look favourable.