It was the Conservatives’ turn to bring their party conference to the North this week as Manchester played host to the gathering of the party which in practice at least remains the official Opposition.
One week after Labour descended on Liverpool, a markedly quieter event saw headlines dominated by a leaked recording of Robert Jenrick before leader Kemi Badenoch sought to use her speech to revive her own reputation and that of a party which polls will tell you could be facing electoral oblivion.
As is always the case with these things, there was much more going on behind the scenes that tell us what could happen if the Conservatives go on to regain power or at least gain more influence on whoever else has it.
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Here are eight things we learned:
- Don’t sack the proof-reader
For all the talk of cutting the numbers of civil servants, one embarrassing blunder showed how an extra pair of eyes can help avoid a glaring error. Among the giveaways at the conference were chocolate bars designed with a messaging which should have mocked Labour’s record in Government – but instead was derided for a misspelling of ‘Britain’.
“When Labour negotiates, Britian loses”, the quote attributed to Badenoch opined.
Next time, let’s hope the Tories come to one of our Northern agencies for a better job with design and branding.
- Thatcherism
The conference coincided with what would have been Margaret Thatcher’s 100th birthday and no-one could say an opportunity was missed to mark the occasion. From a celebratory party to merchandise and photo opportunities to displaying her dresses in a special exhibit, it was all there.
Badenoch has reportedly spent the summer reading about Thatcher’s early years in power – could we see her political beliefs seep back into Tory policy making?
- Empty seats
One thing noted among attendees of the event was just how quiet it was. Official attendance figures were much lower than 2024 and even protestors – usually a constant presence outside events such as these – were minimal. Photographs of empty seats in conference halls did nothing to dispel fears about the party’s current popularity.
- Appreciating the value of music
One fringe event was a panel titled ‘Push the Button: Why Backing British Music Will Kick Start Growth’, featuring DCMS select committee chair Dame Caroline Dinenage among its speakers.
The MP pointed to a 16% growth for the music sector in 2023 and said “many industries would bite your arm off for” such results.
However, as UK Music reports, she also warned against complacency highlighting the CMS Select Committee’s inquiries into grassroots music venues, major live events, and its fan-led review of music as revealing fragilities within the sector.
“Last year was the first time in a long while that a British artist didn’t feature among the world’s top ten,” she added.
If voices such as this can make themselves heard, there is more hope that creatives will get the value and support they need.
- Stamp duty
The biggest announcement was one which wasn’t briefed beforehand – the abolition of stamp duty. It looks to have received a popular reaction from traditional Tory voters.
- Backing business
Badenoch’s speech promised to undo a lot of Labour’s policies from its first year in Government including the tax on private school fees and inheritance tax changes that will affect farmers. She also promised to reverse Angela Rayner’s employment rights’ bill to put businesses first. One area that a lot of employers are concerned about – the increased National Insurance rate – went unmentioned however.
- Bleak future for universities
Universities across the North and the rest of England are already facing a bruising time with job cuts being seen across the board amid funding issues in part linked to the falling numbers of more-lucrative international students.
The Conservatives announced plans to cut the number of people who attend university by 100,000 a year, instead placing that money to support apprenticeships. The opposition leader also promised to end “rip-off courses” but did not specify what these could include.
The reaction with the sector has certainly been unwelcoming. A Universities UK spokesperson said: “Everyone wants a more prosperous Britain. For that, we’re going to need more graduates, not fewer, with over 11 million more needed in growth industries by 2035 according to independent data. Pharmaceuticals, technology, the creative industries—these are great British success stories, and some of these industries are reporting degree-level skills gaps of up to 92 per cent.
“Higher-growth economies have higher participation in higher education because you don’t build a prosperous country by limiting ambition, and tertiary education, whether at uni or as an apprentice, has the power to change lives. It’s clear that our country needs skills at all levels for the economy of the future, but pitting higher education against further education is a poor way to achieve this.”
- Leadership doubts
If there’s one thing we’ve got used to in recent years, it’s Tory MPs calling for their leader to be replaced. Could that be on the horizon again with polling as bad as it is?
According to reports, that is on the cards again with dozens of MPs planning to deliver letters of no confidence on November 2 – the first day she can be challenged under party rules.
For months, it has seemed apparent that Robert Jenrick has been presenting himself as a de facto Conservative leader. More change could yet be coming.
