The political party conferences in September and October will provide an important opportunity for policymakers and influencers to set out their stalls and foster key relationships ahead of a much-anticipated General Election in 2024. A senior LCCI delegation will be attending each of the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrats conferences, to represent the interests of London’s business community and advocate for the policy solutions required to secure UK wide economic renewal and prosperity.

• Liberal Democrats, 23 – 26 September, Bournemouth International Centre (BIC)
  • Business Day: 25 September
• Conservatives, 1 – 4 October, Manchester Central
  • SME Day: 1 October
  • Business Day: 2 October
• Labour, 8 – 11 October, Arena and Convention Centre (ACC) Liverpool
  • SME Day: 8 October
  • Business Day: 9 October

LCCI will be both hosting events (further information below) and contributing to key discussions related to international trade, skills, sustainability, diversity & inclusion, and levelling up. As our programme shapes up, we would be delighted to receive input from members into the key messaging around each of our policy asks on these topics. We are also keen to collaborate with and support members who are planning their own participation, as well as extend invitations to our events.

LCCI will be leading a delegation to the SME days at Labour (8 October) and Conservative (1 October) party conferences. These will provide an important opportunity to engage with leading policymakers and influencers on the policy solutions required to that tackle the pressing challenges faced by SMEs. The programmes include a lunch and various roundtable sessions, and will be attended by business leaders, start-ups, sole traders, freelancers and entrepreneurs.

If you are interested in attending the Conservative or Labour SME days, are planning to attend party conferences more generally, or have any specific policy queries for LCCI to raise at party conferences, please get in touch with LCCI’s Policy team to discuss this further – we look forward to hearing from you!

LCCI Events

LCCI & Chatham House: Advancing UK interests and values of equality through trade

Join us for a high-level event at the Conservative & Labour party conferences, being held in partnership with the leading global policy institute Chatham House. The trade environment is radically changing. As the UK continues to negotiate new free trade agreements and take an active part at the World Trade Organization (WTO), an opportunity exists for the UK to play a pivotal role in shaping the core ethical values and interests that define international trade policy and governance.

The actions taken by governments, businesses and key stakeholders now have the potential to shape the trade agenda and influence cooperation at both a domestic and international level. This event will explore the means to advancing UK interests through trade, London’s role in this process as a top-tier global city, and ensuring new deals uphold core values and principles.

Conservative Party Conference: Tuesday 3 October, 3.30pm - 5.00pm, Rolls & Royce Suite, Midland Hotel, Manchester (in the secure zone – conference pass required)

Labour Party Conference: Monday 9 October, 2.00pm - 3.30pm, Leonardo Hotel, Liverpool (outside the secure zone – no pass required)

To register, email James Watkins, LCCI's Head of Policy and Public Impact. Places are limited for both events so early registration is recommended!

LCCI & Progressive Britain – TBC

Join LCCI and Progressive Britain for an in-depth discussion on LCCI’s Ethnic Diversity in Business report and the constructive next steps that can be taken to removing barriers impeding business success in the UK’s unequal business environment.

LCCI and Progressive Britain will be joined by Labour Party Chair, Anneliese Dodds MP, in a discussion which will cover the next steps to achieving ethnic diversity in business, including improving socio-economic conditions through education and employment outcomes and highlighting the experiences of businesses that are ethnic minority-led.

Details on timing and location of the event are being confirmed, but to register your interest, please email James Watkins, LCCI's Head of Policy and Public Impact.

Labour Party Conference: Monday 9 October, Time & Location TBC

LCCI & Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference: Business Day Roundtable

During the Liberal Democrats Business Day, LCCI will be hosting a roundtable discussion on trade with Party Leader Sir Ed Davey MP, Lib Dem Parliamentarians and industry leaders. Focussed on unlocking trade and investment opportunities and advancing British values of equality through international trade agreements, the discussion will be one of a number exploring the pressing issues facing businesses and will input into the party’s policymaking process.

Liberal Democrats Autumn Conference: Monday 25 September, 2.45pm - 4.45pm, Bournemouth International Centre (in the secure zone – Business Day pass required)

Places are extremely limited so please email James Watkins, Head of Policy and Public Impact, to register your interest in participating.