Liberal Democrats head to their annual conference this weekend exuding stability in an unpredictable era of turbulence in politics. Arden’s Charlotte Weir identifies five things to watch out for over the coming four days beside the seaside at Bournemouth.
Reclaiming the Liberal Tradition
Under Sir Ed Davey’s leadership, the Lib Dems won their largest share of Westminster seats to date at last year’s general election and are the third biggest party in Parliament. Despite this, the leadership is frustrated about the party’s lack of media coverage compared to its rivals. This year’s conference aims to kick off a renewed effort to raise the Lib Dems’ profile, building a narrative that positions the party as the leading challenger to the forces it sees as undermining liberal democracy.
Targeting Key Voters
To advance on their general election success, Davey and his team aim to win over two groups of voters: ‘soft’ Conservatives now disillusioned with the party under Kemi Badenoch’s leadership and university-educated voters who previously backed Labour but now suspect Sir Keir Starmer is not up to the job of being prime minister. This strategy focuses on attracting Labour voters in constituencies where Labour tends to trail into third or fourth place. Lib Dem strategists reckon adding these votes to the former Conservative supporters already won over could help net more seats. Messages crafted to appeal to these voters will permeate the speeches from the conference hall platform in Bournemouth.
Tackling the Roots of Populism
Delegates can also expect the theme of growing illiberalism and the rise of the far-right to be a connecting thread throughout the conference debates, receptions, and fringe events. Of particular interest to business will be a focus on reviving the British high street and addressing the economic headwinds facing the country as a way of countering the roots of the discontent blamed for fuelling the spread of populism. A key conference debate on this theme will focus on supporting the workforce in developing skills for the future, particularly for young people defined as the so-called ‘NEETs’: those not in education, employment, or training.
Action on Climate Change
Addressing climate change has long been central to the Lib Dem agenda and will be another key theme of the conference. A lively debate is expected about the role of nuclear power in a decarbonised energy mix. Another contentious issue delegates will discuss is the ability of local communities to block major national infrastructure projects. The ‘NIMBY vs YIMBY’ divide on planning is a topic of friction for no political party more than the Lib Dems, for whom community empowerment and green energy are both highly prioritised.
Rising Star
The conference will also offer a chance to see the Lib Dems’ rising stars in action. Chief among them is Josh Babarinde, widely seen as the leadership’s choice as the potential next party leader. Currently serving as justice spokesperson, the Eastbourne MP is tipped to win the election for the party’s presidency this November. Supporters believe his background closely mirrors the party’s own priorities. Babarinde grew up in the southwest of England and was awarded an OBE for his work founding social enterprise Cracked It, a smartphone repair service staffed by young ex-offenders.
Charlotte is an Account Manager at Arden Strategies. She was formerly Chief of Staff for a Liberal Democrat MP.
