Read about each party's conference by clicking on the link below:
Labour Party Conference, “… you no longer have to whisper it, it’s called Socialism”
This year’s Labour Party Conference had an air of excitement about it, with the first of the five-day long event starting with a bang – the conclusion of the Labour leadership election; the second in as many years.
In the end, the result was rather less exciting, as Jeremy Corbyn solidified his position as Leader of the Opposition after defeating challenger Owen Smith (former Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary) with 61.8% of the vote. In his acceptance speech, Jeremy Corbyn called for the Labour Party to unify and “work together for real change in Britain”.
Over the next few days, Shadow Ministers took to their platforms one by one to lay out Labour’s pledges for the next General Election and show their support for their re-elected Leader. Common themes from both Jeremy Corbyn and Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell’s speeches included housing, public ownership of services, the NHS, education and an end to financial austerity. Unsurprisingly, Brexit also featured prominently in a number of speeches, largely in relation to protection of workers’ rights and single market access.
Other highlights included:
- Jeremy Corbyn’s pledge to introduce a £160m arts pupil premium – to fund music, drama and dance for every primary school, and a consultation on the potential roll-out to all secondary schools.
- A £250bn infrastructure investment programme from John McDonnell to “ensure no community is left behind” and a real Living Wage of over £10 per hour.
- Commitments from Deputy Leader, Tom Watson, to replace EU regional funding beyond 2020.
- Repeated calls from Diane Abbott, Shadow Health Secretary, to increase funding for mental health.
Conservative Party Conference… building “a country that works for everyone”
This year’s Conservative Party Conference was the first time since 2005 that delegates were addressed by a leader that was not David Cameron. It provided a chance for the country to hear from the Prime Minister and her ministerial team, as they unveiled their plans for “Britain after Brexit”.
Theresa May’s speech on day one prompted a flurry of activity from financial markets, political commentators and key decision-makers across the globe, as she announced that Government would invoke Article 50 – the official mechanism by which the UK will leave the European Union – no later than the end of March 2017.
However, anyone who anticipated further detail about Brexit negotiations will have been left disappointed, as Theresa May’s Ministers repeatedly reiterated her line that there would be “no running commentary”. Nevertheless, what was made clear is Government’s red lines over control of immigration and continued jurisdiction under the European Court of Justice.
Other highlights included:
- Theresa May arguing that “merit matters more than wealth” and calling for private schools to do more to earn their charitable tax status.
- Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson trumpeting Britain’s “soft power superpower”, including sport.
- Business Secretary Greg Clark’s announcement of an immediate review into employment practice in the modern economy.
- The Chancellor, Philip Hammond, pledging to guarantee funds for EU funded projects signed prior to this year’s Autumn Statement, and a guarantee to bidders whose projects meet UK priorities and value for money criteria, if multi-year funding is secured before exit.
- Karen Bradley, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, announcing Sport England’s £4 million award to Commonwealth Games England team for the 2018 Games.
- DEFRA Secretary Andrea Leadsom raising the profile of rural tourism, outdoor learning and progress made on the English Coastal Path.
- Justice Secretary Liz Truss, who targeted re-offending in her speech, arguing that “reform is the only way to break the cycle”.
- Damian Green, Work and Pensions Secretary, giving a sneak preview of a Green paper which his department will soon publish together with the Department for Health, setting out a range of policy ideas to help disabled people.
- Education Secretary Justine Greening reaffirming her commitment to the National Citizen Service and volunteering, with support from DCMS.
Whilst both conferences were relatively light on direct references to sport and recreation, the past few weeks have been important to highlight the vast difference in policy positioning between the UK’s current two major political parties. It is now our job as a sector to convince all parties that, whatever their political alignment, sport and recreation has a vital role to play in addressing the challenges and opportunities that face our society.
In the last couple of days, Jeremy Corbyn has completed another Shadow Cabinet reshuffle, which has seen Tom Watson appointed as the new Shadow Secretary for Culture, Media and Sport. He will be joined by Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, a former GP and keen boxer, as Shadow Sports Minister. You can find the full and up-to-date list of Shadow Cabinet members here.
Looking further ahead, the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement on 23 November, should give us a clearer indication of Philip Hammond’s plans for spend and taxation. Just over the horizon, a Great Repeal Bill will begin the slow and complex process of repatriating our laws from the EU and will be in next year’s Queen’s Speech.
In the meantime, the political battle lines have been drawn. There will still be plenty of legislation, debates, questions and consultations to sink our teeth into before next summer, and it will be up to us, as a sector, to make the most of these opportunities, build our alliances and champion the benefits of sport and recreation in both Parliament and Whitehall.
If you would like further information about any of the issues raised above, or you would like to discuss parliamentary monitoring services provided by the Alliance, please contact our Parliamentary Officer, Emma Wade.
As 2024 concludes and as we look ahead to 2025, the Alliance has published a message to members and partners.
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Sport and Recreation Alliance responds to Active Lives Children and Young People report.
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