Key facts
- Business leaders are attending the Labour Party Conference to voice their hopes and fears.
- The conference is taking place one month before the Budget.
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham aims to present his government as a definitive break from the past.
- Burnham's new political director, Hayden Munro, has urged ministers to focus on renewed faith in Britain.
- Burnham intends to deliver the biggest change to Britain in 40 years.
- The conference will also focus on addressing long-standing issues like rough sleeping and social care.
Business leaders are preparing a charm offensive ahead of the Labour Party Conference, seeking to influence the party's economic agenda. The conference, beginning in Merseyside, comes as Prime Minister Andy Burnham aims to signal a decisive break from previous leadership and economic policies. Burnham, who succeeded Keir Starmer in July, is expected to use the event to outline his vision for significant change in Britain, encapsulated by his conference slogan "Hope again."
Burnham's government is reportedly focused on restoring "the right values" and putting the care of people first. Ministers have been instructed to announce policies that offer immediate relief to families while also presenting long-term plans for essential services and affordability. A key theme will be tackling intractable problems such as rough sleeping, social care, and youth inactivity, with a commitment to action rather than inaction.
Hayden Munro, Burnham's political director and a former strategist for Jacinda Ardern, has emphasized the need to counter cynicism about the UK's economic prospects and to project renewed faith in the country. He has tasked ministers and special advisers with ensuring all messaging highlights support for ordinary working people and aims to make everyday life easier and more affordable.