Labour Conference 2025 - Policy Pledges and Protests Define Liverpool Gathering

THE Labour Party's Annual Conference in Liverpool, held from:- Sunday, 28 September, to:- Wednesday, 1 October 2025, delivered a mix of key policy announcements, high level political strategy, and significant controversy. The 4 day event, which took over the entire waterfront campus including:- the ACC Liverpool, Exhibition Centre Liverpool, and the M&S Bank Arena, was 1 of the largest to date, hosting over 20,000 delegates and more than 600 fringe events.

Serving as a crucial platform for the governing party, the conference agenda focused heavily on economic growth (framed by the Prime Minister as the Government's:- "defining mission") and public service reform. Key announcements included:-

• NHS and Social Care Reform.- The Prime Minister announced the creation of:- 'NHS Online' an initiative intended to act as the 1st online NHS hospital to deliver digital access to clinicians and an ambition for 8.5 million extra appointments. Health Secretary Wes Streeting also committed to practical reforms like expanded GP access and digital services, while a new £500 million fund was announced to underpin a:- 'Fair Pay Agreement' for social care workers, set for implementation by 2028.
  

• Green Energy and Workers' Rights' - Echoing the initial focus on:- 'green energy,' the party announced plans to speed up a:- 'total ban' on fracking and committed to extending employment rights to those working on offshore renewables. A new requirement was also introduced:- firms seeking to benefit from the Government's clean industry bonus awards must agree to recognise unions and ensure fair wages.

This year's policy announcements also touched on immigration, the future of UK-EU relations, and the introduction of Digital IDs, a proposal whose public support reportedly collapsed immediately following the announcement.

The conference also saw the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, shift the Government's core narrative, elevating economic growth to its central mission and aiming to counter the rise of the Reform UK party. The presence of groups like ExcludedUK at fringe events highlighted the ongoing pressure on the Government to address the welfare of self employed and public sector.

It wouldn't be a political conference without some controversy... Despite the policy focus, the conference was overshadowed by 2 major incidents. The 1st being the mass arrests at a pro-Palestinian protest. The other being around questions over media freedom...

Outside the secure zone, a major protest supporting the recently proscribed group Palestine Action led to:- 66 arrests on the 1st day of the Conference. The arrests are reported to have been in connection to a demonstration, organised by the group Defend Our Juries, saw approximately 100 people holding signs reading:- "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action."

Merseyside Police have since confirmed the arrests were made on suspicion of a terrorism offence related to supporting a proscribed organisation, though 2 of the people were later de-arrested, and all were eventually released on bail. The incident drew sharp criticism from human rights groups, with Amnesty International UK calling the arrests:- "ridiculous and seriously disproportionate" for a silent, peaceful protest.

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) raised serious concerns, following the Conference, after it was revealed that the Labour Party had revoked the passes of at least 2 left wing journalists, including:- Owen Jones and Rivkah Brown of Novara Media. It us reported that the party cited a:- "breach of the event code of conduct" and "safeguarding obligations" for the cancellations. However, the journalists involved claimed the action was in retaliation for asking difficult questions to Ministers regarding the Government's stance on the war in Gaza.

In a strong statement, NUJ General Secretary Laura Davison said:- "It is very concerning that bona fide journalists attending the Labour Party Conference had their event passes revoked... Labour is the party in Government and has repeatedly stated its commitment to media freedom. Yet its actions yesterday risk the impression of a party that is trying to evade press scrutiny." The NUJ urged the Labour Party to:- "clarify the specific reasons" for the decision, calling on all political parties to uphold media freedom and the public's right to be informed.

Other demonstrations that took place, including those by farmers, and some against the Digital ID, all appeared to have been held without issues.

On a local level, the Conference had a significant economic impact for Liverpool as the host City. With its high delegate count, the event is estimated to have generated a significant economic boost of £30 million for the Liverpool area. This figure reflects substantial spending across hospitality, accommodation, transport, local services, and supply chains.

It appears to this year's conference was a resounding success, but what are your thoughts and views about this conference? Please let us know by emailing our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com or send us a message on:- Mastodon, Facebook, or Twitter. Please do let us know as we love to hear your views...