Party conferences 2024

What are party conferences?

Party conferences are an annual event, taking place each autumn, bringing together party members, activists, MPs, and a wide range of stakeholders.

There are broadly three simultaneous events and activities happening at a party conference:

1. The main hall. Politicians will give speeches in the main hall, which is mostly aimed at a TV and media audience, and at party activists. These tend to be highly scripted events, and access to the hall often requires a particular pass (which can cost a little more money). Some parties use these sessions to develop their policy. This tends to not be a focus for AoC when we attend – we generally don’t attend any such speeches, and instead catchup in news reports.
2. The fringe programme. There are hundreds of fringe session across each party conference. These are organised (and paid for) by external organisations, and typically involve a panel session with invited politicians, and other stakeholders. At AoC, we spend a lot of time at these, speaking on panels, organising our own events (typically one at each conference), and asking questions in the audience. They can be a good way of hearing about priorities from ministers and shadow ministers, and also hearing the way in which the wider sector is discussing and presenting themes. They can also be a good networking opportunity.
3. Meetings and social events. Conferences also bring together a wide range of politicians, journalists and other stakeholders. We organise meetings with politicians and other stakeholders (although these can be unreliable or cancelled at the last minute as politicians over-extend themselves), have lots of impromptu conversations (eg bumping into a minister in the coffee queue) and also attend receptions and evening events where again there is opportunity for networking.

When are they taking place this year?

We tend to attend Labour, Conservative and Lib Dem party conferences. We review this approach each year, according to the parliamentary make-up, invitations we receive to attend events and the wider political context.

Dates for those three are:

•  Liberal Democrat Party Conference, 14-17 September, Brighton  
• Labour Party conference 22-25 September, Liverpool  
• Conservative Party conference 29 September–2 October, Birmingham

Monday and Tuesday are the key days to attend – some chief executives come just for the Monday or attend until Tuesday afternoon. We tend to stay from Sunday afternoon through to Tuesday afternoon or evening. Party activists will typically join for the whole thing, perhaps arriving on the Saturday.

Why would I attend?

1. Immersing yourself in the policy debates. Fundamentally, they are an opportunity to spend 24-48 hours immersed in public policy debates, hearing the way that politicians approach an issue, their priorities, and crucially how other sector organisations discuss issues, and set out their priorities and concerns. This year’s conferences will be interesting, given we’ll have a new government, and are likely to have a new official opposition too.
2. Meetings and impromptu engagement. You might also choose to arrange meetings with people there. It will be valuable to let your local MP(s) know you’re there, and you might meet them (even for a drink, given a more sociable environment). However, MP meetings can be less reliable, as they often over-extend themselves. You might also choose to meet other leaders, arrange meetings with people across the sector, or build links with other organisations.
3. Asking questions at relevant fringe events. It is really helpful to have the college perspective raised at fringe events on education and skills policy, but also on other key themes like housing, net zero, growth, the NHS, crime, mental health. This ensures our voice is heard, by politicians and others, including those who know little about our sector.
4. Speaking on panels and at other events. There might be opportunities to speak on a panel. Our Chief Executive David Hughes is invited to speak at a large number of events, and where there are clashes, we will share with principals who are there.

Why might I find it frustrating, too?

• We’d expect this year’s party conferences – and particularly Labour’s – to be busy. This could mean that popular fringe events are very busy, or at over capacity, and can mean that politicians are less available than ever.
• A number of MPs avoid party conferences if they’re not required so you might not find your local MP isn’t there.
• As with all similar events, poor WiFi can be a common gripe.
• Ultimately, as above, there are several concurrent conferences happening at once. Party activists use it as an opportunity for socialising and organising and parties use it to engage members and for fundraising. External organisations can often stay in their own sectoral bubble, which can feel strange, while the scale can feel overwhelming to some.
• Ministers and shadow ministers will often repeat the same arguments across a range of events, so it can be helpful to go beyond the ‘skills fringe’ path and hear from other speakers on other policy areas too.

To manage these potential frustrations, we’d suggest seeing it principally as an opportunity to listen and reflect. We think it’s more enjoyable if you come with others, so you might choose to come with a staff member from your college or coordinate with another principal. AoC will be there with a small team, too.

How can I find out more?

We are holding a 60-minute call for anyone interested, to discuss party conferences and answer any questions. This will be taking place on Tuesday 16 July at 10am–11am. You can sign up by emailing Lewis Cooper (or David MacKenzie and they’ll be pleased to answer any other questions too.