Ahead of this weekend’s Annual Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, Nathaneal Amos-Sansam speaks with Emma Burnell, Editor of the LabourList website which covers Labour Party news and commentary. Here she discusses the mood among Labour Party activists going into conference, what makes a great conference speech, and the joys of LabourList conference karaoke.
Nathaneal Amos-Sansam: What number Labour Party conference is this for you?
Emma Burnell: This will be my 27th Labour conference. I first went in 1994 when I was 19 and was in the hall when Tony Blair announced the change to Clause IV and everyone around me was really excited. I had no idea what was going on!
I’ve been working in politics now since 2002 and have been to almost every Labour Party conference since. I missed one in 2018 as I had just finished my Masters Degree and went off to celebrate my results in New York!
Nathaneal Amos-Sansam: Why should public affairs professionals and stakeholders attend the Labour conference this year?
Emma Burnell: Labour are the party of government. The polls might be bad right now, but they are here for the next four years at the very least. It will be the conversations they have at the start of the Parliamentary year that can set the tone for what happens next. And – as the musical Hamilton says – you need to be in the room where it happens.
Nathaneal Amos-Sansam: How would you characterise the mood among Labour activists going into this conference?
Emma Burnell: I won’t say it’s the most upbeat the party has ever been. Activists are feeling gloomy about some of the missteps and the polling. But political activists are an interesting group. Coming together in Liverpool will probably be better for the mood than many commentators expect as they will be able to support each other and lift each other.
It will also be a chance for Labour Cabinet Ministers to tell their activists a good story about what Labour is doing in government. Of which there is a reasonable amount to tell. That reminder of the good your party is doing in government is always a good corrective for gloomy activists.
Nathaneal Amos-Sansam: What makes a great conference speech?
Emma Burnell: A coherent story that binds each part of the speech together and is told clearly. An unexpected announcement (see above re: Clause IV) or argument (Kinnock’s 1985 conference speech is still absolutely breathtaking) can both grab the immediate headlines and also tell a story about who the speaker is and what they want to deliver.
A really good speaker also feeds of the energy in the room. It may look from the outside like a broadcast. One speaker – one audience. But, in fact, if the energy is flowing in both directions it’s almost like a dance – with each energising each other.
Nathaneal Amos-Sansam: What makes a great fringe event?
Emma Burnell: Have speakers that have different perspectives. Explore your topic from different angles – even platforming people who disagree with you. It demonstrates both that you are able to talk to those who disagree with you and try to find common ground, but it will also mean a better audience. Nothing is more dull than a panel full of speakers saying the same thing with no challenge. And it does nothing to change minds or even invigorate those who agree with you.
Nathaneal Amos-Sansam: Which part of this year’s conference are you most looking forward to?
Emma Burnell: This is my first year going to conference as Editor of LabourList. I am really looking forward to our LEGENDARY karaoke event and our rally (at which both candidates for Deputy Leader are speaking).
Previous interviews in the series
- ‘Why go to: Liberal Democrat Conference?’ Lord Mark Pack Interview
- ‘Why go to: Reform Conference?’ Gawain Towler Interview