Ahead of this year’s Labour Party Conference, Dods Content Manager Nathaneal Amos-Sansam spoke with Emma Burnell to gauge the party’s mood and hear about what those attending the conference should look out for.
Emma is Editor of the online blog LabourList which covers news and activities within the Labour Party, she was previously a freelance journalist and served on Labour’s National Policy Forum as a Socialist Societies representative.
How would you sum up the past year for the Labour Party?
EB: “Turbulent! I started work [in September 2025] the week Angela Rayner had to resign, kicking off a deputy leadership contest and reshuffle. My second week, Peter Mandelson was sacked. On my one-year anniversary of being in post, Keir Starmer – so unassailable at the start of that time – resigned as an MP.
What would you say is the mood among party activists going into this year’s conference?
EB: “I think there’s a lot of optimism – even if nervous optimism. Andy has had a good start and seems to have injected a new sense of energy into the Party.”
What would be your general advice for any public affairs professionals and stakeholders attending the Labour Party Conference for the first time?
EB: “Try to act like a participant – not an anthropologist.
For example, I get a lot of requests to meet for coffee at conference which I have to turn down every time. For CEOs etc it might be the one time they are politically focused. But for people like me it’s our busiest time of the year.
Conference can be a great time to meet and network with politicians and journalists but it’s best to do it in a way that feels natural. Go to the debates and fringes that interest you or are relevant to your business and get involved in the discussions there. I am much more likely to remember you and respond well if this happens organically than if I am frantically trying to get to my next appointment.”
Aside from the leader’s speech, are there any other speeches are you looking forward to?
EB: “Not sure about speeches so much but the singing at LabourList karaoke will be a thing to behold!”
If you had to pick out a ‘name to watch’ at the Labour Party, who would that be and why?
EB: “This conference is going to be all about Andy, so this is a hard one to get beyond the leader. I would watch out for who wants to be seen talking about unexpected issues. If you have an MP who is known for Subject X suddenly doing four fringe events on subject Y – ask yourself why that might be.”
Are there any specific fringe events that you are planning to speak at or attend?
EB: “The LabourList rally will be a blast. As will the karaoke and the watch party we hold for the Leader’s speech in partnership with the Fabian Society.”
What would you say are the best reception events for public affairs professionals to attend to meet party figures and activists?
EB: “All of the above of course!
I would also say the regional receptions are great for meeting lots of delegates – and that is true for the politicians who like to thank local activists for their hard work too. Jamaica night is always a hoot. If you want to chill with people letting their hair down that’s the way to go. If you want to officially network, then I would engage with Labour Business.”
The Labour Party Conference takes place in Liverpool between Saturday 26 and Wednesday 30 September. Look out for Dods Group coverage of the conference, including of policy announcements, plenary speeches and fringe events, over the coming days. Emma Burnell’s 2025 interview with Dods can be read here.