Archive

Public Affairs

  • ‘A conference season with more twists and turns than ‘Strictly…’ this year’

    October 4, 2024

    Party conferences held at the start of a new political cycle are usually marked with jubilant celebrations or cold-blooded recriminations depending on how you fared at the General Election. This year was no exception… but just not where it was expected. Despite securing a 172-seat majority and with over 20,000 people in attendance, the Labour Conference in Liverpool felt fractious. Discontent over the leaderships decision to cut winter fuel allowance for pensioners was manifest among...

  • General Election Briefing – 4 essential things for organisations to consider

    May 23, 2024

    Whatever your views on the timing of the Prime Minister’s decision to call a UK General Election on 4th July, we are now in the throes of a campaign where many expect a Conservative defeat at the polls and the first Labour administration for 14 years. Do you feel prepared to navigate the campaign period ahead and make the most of a new Parliament and Government? Please read our briefing attached which outlines four essential...

  • Democracy in 2024: Influence in an election year

    May 2, 2024

    We hosted the first event of our FHFuture Series - Democracy in 2024: Influence in an Election year; Implications and Watchouts for Business.  Among the speakers were journalists, influencers, youth and industry regulatory experts who each contributed unique and insightful perspectives from their industries and beyond. With the help of FH’s Head of News, Pete Meikle, Head of Public Affairs, Liam McCloy and the Consumer Team’s Nina Bautista, they delivered a fascinating discussion on topics...

  • The year in politics – five political trends that will carry into 2024

    January 8, 2024

    If a week is a long time in politics, then 2023 felt like a decade. The political landscape was tumultuous across the year, marred by a series of political scandals and no fewer than seven parliamentary by-elections, only one of which the governing party won. These past events, though, will now be viewed through the lens of this year’s general election bringing with it a very real prospect of a change of government – the...

  • Rishi’s Year in Review: Results, Revolts, and Rwanda

    December 18, 2023

    Rishi Sunak’s 2023 has undoubtedly been filled with challenges. Indeed, at points it has seemed as though every new week has presented a new hurdle for his premiership. But given the current economic situation, the Prime Minister may feel resentment not to be enjoying more success. Inflation is down, borrowing is down, and the economy is seemingly growing – all things which under normal circumstances would contribute towards electoral popularity. Yet the Labour Party continue...

  • 2023 Autumn Statement: does it ‘get the job done’ or is it ‘too little too late’?

    November 22, 2023

    Today (22.11.23), the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt MP  delivered the Government’s Autumn Statement to Parliament, saying he wanted to unlock investment, reward work and  grow the economy.  Containing over a hundred measures, the Chancellor felt he had reason to be positive: inflation is down, borrowing is down, and economic growth was better than expected. As a result, he had greater freedom to pursue the economic policies he believes in. Hunt currently looks set...

  • Rishi’s Reshuffle: Suella’s Sacking and Cameron’s Comeback

    November 15, 2023

    After an underwhelming Party Conference season and a tense few days over former Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s unauthorised column in The Times, Monday’s reshuffle was a chance for the Conservative Party to turn around its fortunes ahead of the General Election next year. And to some extent, it has delivered. Many in the Party welcomed the return of former Prime Minister David Cameron to the Cabinet and the removal of Braverman, and by some accounts...

  • Sunak, Starmer and Sparkles: Who succeeded this Party Conference season?

    October 12, 2023

      A difference in atmospheres After much anticipation, party conference season for 2023 has now come to a close. With a smattering of policies and a touch of glitter, here is my take on what may well be the final conferences before the next General Election. After attending Labour’s conference this week, it is clear that the party now firmly belongs to Keir Starmer. The atmosphere in Liverpool was full of hope, optimism and urgency...

  • Rishi’s Reset: On Track or De-Railed?

    October 5, 2023

    An overview of Conservative Party Conference 2023 The mood going into this year’s Conservative Party Conference was by no means buoyant and, sitting at a sizeable 20 points behind the Labour Party in the polls, Sunak would have hoped for a conference which he could use to demonstrate to the public that his Conservative Party is worth their trust, and their vote. Instead, the first few days of this year’s conference were shaped by in-fighting...

  • Net Zero Policy: The latest political football or a real own goal?

    August 2, 2023

      Net Zero Policy has once again been dominating the headlines, with the latest wave sparked up by the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election where Labour London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s controversial ULEZ expansion policy was seen to cost the Parliamentary Party a win on Super Thursday. This result says more than meets the eye – on one side the Conservative’s will now be thinking that they could replicate this win with other newly marginal seats...

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