Party conferences articles

Commentators and pundits have broadly agreed that this week’s Conservative Party conference wasn’t a huge success. A flat atmosphere, no clear future direction, and of course, that speech. Here WA’s team on the ground – Jenny Ousbey, Peter Jones, Bobbie Davies, Angus Hill and Aaron Yamoah – share their collective insights from Manchester:   FirstRead more

On the ground at Labour conference, there is a sense that the political environment has shifted. In the initial years of the Corbyn leadership, business previously approached the Labour Party with a sense of bemusement. While the mood here in Brighton is still one of uncertainty at what the future holds and how seriously theRead more

Here is the absolute definitive guide to this year’s Labour Party Conference in Brighton. Covering all the spills, thrills, tortuous agonising over party process, and what exactly is likely to cause the biggest row. In The Loop The most important thing to remember at conference is that while the Party’s more loyal foot soldiers willRead more

Liberal Democrat delegates gathered in Bournemouth in mixed spirits last weekend (16-19 September). While they regained some of their big names at the election in June, they had higher hopes than going from nine to twelve MPs. They started the election hoping to be the voice of Remainers, the 48 per cent, and called themselvesRead more

With Parliament in recess for party conference season, the action has largely taken place away from Westminster this week. Indeed, many of our leading politicians have used the time to get some travelling done. Theresa May has been in the US and given her first address to the UN General Assembly. Reflecting on the unprecedentedRead more

Conservative party members will gather in Manchester from Sunday for their annual conference. In part, it will be an opportunity for the party to celebrate its return to government – this time as a majority party. But the conference will also give the Conservatives an opportunity to set the political agenda for the rest ofRead more

If Oscar Wilde was right, and the only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about, then it’s a truth that has come to define the Liberal Democrats over the past four and a half years. As a protest party handed the keys to Government in 2010, they have been accused ofRead more

Conservative conference this week has been much more upbeat than Labour’s of last. The fringe meetings, exhibition hall and bars have been pervaded with a sense of optimism and bullishness about the Conservative’s chances next year. It’s as if, in the face of adversity (UKIP defections, Newmark, questions over Europe, a stubborn second place inRead more