Archive

Public Affairs

  • 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...

  • Britain’s Changing Position in Global Trade: As the UK chases growth, it must answer calls from business to improve international trade

    March 31, 2023

    Earlier this month, the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt announced his Spring Budget, with an ambition to get people into employment and boost economic growth. But despite being a perfect vehicle for both objectives, trade received few mentions.  For several years, the UK Government has asserted that Brexit, channelled through new free trade agreements, would boost trade. At the least, the market would naturally rebalance; trade lost with the UK’s closest partners in...

  • Education, Employment, Everywhere: Analysis of Hunt’s Spring Budget 2023

    March 15, 2023

    The Economic Picture Today, Jeremy Hunt became only the second of the past five chancellors to hold the famous red box outside Number 11, with three of his predecessors not having lasted long enough in the job to be able to hold an official Budget. Going into this Budget there were concerns regarding the size of the workforce, which had not recovered from the pandemic, as well as post-Brexit trade barriers and sensitivity to interest...

  • Keir Starmer is on course for Number 10: Why now is the time for businesses to help mould Labour’s plans for Government

    March 3, 2023

    Luke Downham, Account Director, Public Affairs & Head of the Labour Unit Keir Starmer’s launch of Labour’s “Five Missions” for Government represents the beginning of a new phase in the party’s strategy to re-take Number 10 in 2024 after fourteen years of Opposition. With the party consistently 20+ points ahead in the polls, Starmer recognises that 2023 represents a year of heightened scrutiny on his party’s policy proposals. Yet, for many months, focus groups, the Westminster commentariat, and the...

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