Party Conference Season: What it means for marketers

Each autumn, the UK’s main political parties set out their priorities for the year ahead through their annual conferences. These events offer a glimpse of future policy direction and provide valuable opportunities for professional bodies, including CIM, to engage directly with policymakers and influence debate.

This year’s conferences reflected an evolving political landscape - with the economy, skills, and regulation dominating discussions. Below, we outline the key announcements from each major party and what they could mean for the marketing community.

Labour Party Conference

As the governing party, Labour’s conference focused on delivery, skills and stability.

Key announcements:

• Skills and employability: The government confirmed its new “Higher-Level Skills” ambition - aiming for two-thirds of young people to achieve advanced qualifications by age 25, whether through university, apprenticeships, or technical routes.
• Investment in education: Around £800 million of extra funding is planned for 16- to 19-year-olds in 2026–27, including support for “gold-standard” apprenticeships.
• Business and growth: The Chancellor outlined a “blitz on business bureaucracy” to save firms up to £6 billion by cutting red tape and simplifying compliance.
• Digital and sustainability focus: Ministers reiterated commitments to responsible AI adoption and green growth, with new funding to accelerate clean-tech innovation.

Implications for marketers:

The greater emphasis on skills and innovation will create opportunities for marketing professionals to lead on workforce development, sustainability communications, and digital transformation strategies across sectors. Labour’s continued focus on productivity and compliance streamlining also signals a more stable environment for business investment and growth.

Conservative Party Conference

After its first year in opposition, the Conservative Party used its conference to redefine its identity and rebuild trust with voters.

Key announcements:

• Fiscal and housing reform: Proposals to scrap stamp duty for primary residences and introduce a ‘golden rule’ for public spending cuts.
• Economic discipline: Calls for stricter fiscal control and renewed support for entrepreneurs.
• Social policy and identity: Tougher rhetoric on extremism and public order, framed as part of national renewal.

Implications for marketers:

The Conservatives are focusing on personal responsibility, enterprise and national identity themes, which are likely to influence future debate on business regulation, civic engagement and communications ethics.

For marketing leaders, this could mean renewed scrutiny of public messaging and brand positioning within a values-driven political climate.

Liberal Democrat Conference

The Liberal Democrats used their conference to consolidate their position as the centrist, pro-business alternative.

Key announcements:

• Focus on localism: Greater devolution of power to councils and regions, particularly in housing and skills.
• Coalition readiness: Clear signals of willingness to partner in future governments on shared priorities such as climate action and education.
• Pragmatic growth agenda: Advocacy for fair regulation and support for SMEs.

Implications for marketers:

Marketers operating in regional and SME environments should watch the Lib Dems’ localism agenda, which could bring new opportunities for place-based campaigns, skills initiatives and community-focused communications.

Reform UK Conference

Reform UK’s conference marked a shift from protest politics to governance ambitions.

Key announcements:

• Immigration and sovereignty: A continued focus on border control and national independence.
• Regulatory reform: Promises to reduce ‘bureaucratic burden’ on business and review consumer protection frameworks.
• Economic nationalism: Calls for more UK-based manufacturing and procurement.

Implications for marketers:

Reform’s focus on sovereignty and deregulation reflects a populist business narrative that could shape public discourse. Marketing teams may see more public debate around national identity and supply chain provenance – topics likely to influence consumer sentiment and brand storytelling.

Green Party Conference (England and Wales)

Under new leader Zack Polanski, the Green Party used its conference to emphasise growth through sustainability and equality.

Key announcements:

• Net zero acceleration: Calls for faster transition to renewable energy and green jobs.
• Corporate accountability: Advocacy for stricter sustainability reporting and advertising standards.
• Progressive taxation: Proposals to redirect investment towards public services and climate resilience.

Implications for marketers:

With sustainability now central to all party agendas, the Greens’ influence reinforces the need for transparency and credibility in environmental marketing. Authentic, evidence-based campaigns will be key to maintaining consumer trust as ESG expectations rise.

What’s next

As Parliament reconvenes following the conference recess, we expect the King’s Speech in November to outline the next phase of the government’s legislative agenda. CIM will continue to monitor legislation that could impact the marketing community including bills related to skills, AI, consumer rights, the environment and business best practice. We will ensure that our members and the marketing profession’s voice remains central to policy discussions.

We’ll also continue engaging with policymakers and parliamentary groups to champion the value of marketing in driving innovation, skills, and sustainable economic growth.

We want your views

If you’d like to get in touch directly with our policy and government affairs team, please email: PA@cim.co.uk.