Labour in Communications Newsletter – 24 July 2025

Hi everyone,

And just like that - summer recess is here. Whether you're escaping to Tuscany or enjoying a well-earned break closer to home, we hope you find time to relax and recharge before the whirlwind of Party Conference season begins.

Ahead of the September onslaught, we’re putting together a special edition of this newsletter: the Labour Party Conference Survival Guide—and we’d love your input.

Where’s your go-to spot for a decent coffee (and a seat) in the secure zone? Got a favourite dinner place down by the Docks? Which think tank throws the best drinks reception? And what are your must-know tips for first-timers heading to Liverpool?

Please send your suggestions to hello@labourincomms.org.uk and we’ll include the best in our guide.

See you on the other side,

Alice, Tara, Lily, Ed & Jake

UPCOMING EVENTS

Save the Date: The LPC Official Wrap-Up Party

We’re delighted to announce that this year we’ll be hosting the official (we’re calling it that anyway…) Labour Conference “wrap-up” party on Tuesday 30 September from 19.00 at The Long Shot, Albert Dock.

Kindly sponsored by Electrical Safety First, we’ll be bringing together Labour professionals from across the industry as we reflect on another year of Labour in power over drinks and food. You won’t want to miss it!

Special guest speaker to be announced.

📍 Save the date now - full details and registration coming soon!

THANKS FOR COMING - SUMMER RECEPTION 

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for the Labour in Communications Summer Reception earlier this month, kindly hosted by iNHouse Communications in their sparkling event space.

As one of our flagship events of the year, it was fantastic to see so many Labour professionals from across the industry come together to connect, share ideas, and strengthen our growing network. Your energy and engagement made the evening a real success.

A particular thank you to our keynote speaker Gregor Poynton MP who hot-footed from votes in Westminster to address our audience.

If you’re interested in partnering with us for a future event, please do get in touch.

Calling All Campaign Pros: Join I Have A Voice’s Campaigns Subcommittee and Mentor Scheme

Are you a seasoned campaigner, public affairs expert, or policy professional looking to volunteer and use your skills to support young people to get involved in politics?

I Have A Voice (IHAV) is seeking volunteers to join their Campaigns Subcommittee and / or become a Mentor:

• Their brand-new Campaigns Subcommittee will support their youth-led campaign 'Politics 4 All'. This group of young people are campaigning for everyone to have good quality political education and the chance to both meet their elected representatives and take part in changemaking before they become old enough to vote. We’re looking for volunteers who can help them to develop their tactics, messaging and ultimately get in front of decision-makers. You can find out more here.

• IHAV will soon be kicking off the next round of their annual mentoring scheme, which pairs people working in the world of politics with young people looking to get into the sector. IHAV provides training and resources, and runs events through the scheme, to help you maintain momentum. Many of their alumni are now working in the sector and more actively engaged in politics. You can find out more here.

If you’d like to chat with Rebecca about these volunteering opportunities, then you can reach her on rebecca@ihaveavoice.org.uk.

LIC Policy Network

The LIC Policy Network is a dynamic space for like-minded professionals to connect, collaborate, and exchange insights within their fields.

Not a member yet? If you have a Labour membership or demonstrable interest in the party, and a passion for a specific policy area -whether through experience or enthusiasm - we’d love to have you on board.

To join, simply reach out to the relevant group lead or email Tara at hello@labourincomms.org.uk.

Join our Network

·    Science, Innovation & Technology - Chaired by Samiah Anderson, Head of Digital Regulation, techUK

·    Economy and the Future of Work - Chaired by Sam Cunningham, CEO, Polimonitor

·    Food and Environment - Chaired by Joe Holden, Senior Consultant, Rud Pedersen

·    Financial Services and Pensions - Chaired by Chris Rumsey, Head of Public Affairs, Association of British Insurers

·    Net Zero, Energy and Infrastructure - Chaired by Jamie Horton, Senior Consultant, Cast From Clay 

·    Health and Social Care - Chaired by Nick Lansman, President, Clarity

·    Transport - Chaired by Liberty Hibberd, Public Affairs Manager, Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation

·    Housing and Planning - Chaired by Matthew Detzler, Account Director, CalComms

·    Creative Industries - Chaired by Kate Roche, Press and Public Affairs Manager, Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre

·    Justice and Legal Services - Chaired by Nathan Ashley, Senior Associate, DRD Partnership

·    Education and Skills - Co-chaired by Nimmi Patel, Head of Skills, Talent and Diversity, techUK and James Gordon, Public Affairs Advisor, EngineeringUK

·    Devolution and Local Government - Co-chaired by Louis O’Halloran, Senior Account Manager, Inflect and Simon Henig, Head of Government Relations, Stephenson-Mohl Group

·    Diversity, Equality and Inclusivity - Chaired by Daniel Noruwa, Senior Policy & Public Affairs Consultant, Freelance

·    Defence and Aerospace - Co-chaired by Georgia Pickering, Managing Director, CMS Strategic Defence and Security and Ollie Welch, Managing Director, FTI Consulting

·    International Development and Aid - Chaired by Lydia Paynter, UK Advocacy Campaigns Manager, Malaria No More

·    Trade and Industrial Strategy - Chaired by Callan Tree, Government Affairs Director, Phillips 66

SPEAKERS CORNER 🗣️ - A NOTE FROM JOE HOLDEN, FOOD & ENVIRONMENT CHAIR

Last week we finally saw the publication of the Government’s new food strategy for England. You’d be forgiven for missing it – it was put out just before recess and in between some more ‘headline-worthy’ developments (Afghanistan data breach, water sector reform, French migration deal). 

However, it’s important not to mistake its lack of coverage for lack of importance to the food sector. The strategy is ambitious and looks at confronting the complex web that is our food system on the back of previous interventions, which have tended to treat it more in isolation. 

It sets out to achieve 10 outcomes under four broad themes: heathier and more affordable food, good growth, sustainable and resilient supply, and vibrant food cultures. In achieving these, the Government hopes to create a ‘good food cycle’, where investment in food is more directly connected to improving people’s health, the environment, and the economy. 

Whilst we await the detail on exactly how the outcomes will be delivered, it is welcome to receive a framework which has been well-consulted on and sets a clear overarching direction. 

If there’s one thing the wider sector has not had in recent years, it is certainty. Aside from the residual disruption inflicted by Brexit, previous Conservative Governments have been prone to making policy which at times felt rather ad hoc, not backed by clear strategy, and not rolled out effectively.

I’m thinking particularly of the messy rollout of regulation on products high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) under Johnson and Sunak for example. Whatever your opinion on the merits of banning ‘buy one get one free’, restricting advertising, and regulating in-store placement, those in the sector must be involved from an early stage, with clarity on what is coming down the track and confidence in its implementation.

This strategy does not have all the answers, nor does it pretend to, but I would argue it is better to get a long-term framework right rather than prematurely pick policies off the shelf. The food system is too interlinked for us not to take a measured, holistic approach to it.

Now that we have a strategy in place from central government which acknowledges the benefits of a cross-departmental and system-wide approach, we can hope for more effective policy to stem from it so long as the Government takes all relevant stakeholders along with it (not just those sitting on the Food Strategy Advisory Board).

 As a next step, Defra will be publishing further detail in 2026 on delivering the 10 priority outcomes. The difficult part will be ensuring that the ambition is not let down by the implementation. No easy task – no one said it would be a piece of cake.

Looking for a new role?

A number of Labour MPs are looking to fill roles in their Westminster or Constituency offices, live opportunities include:

Andrew Ranger MP

Senior Caseworker (4 days a week)

• Salary: £25,600 - £26,600

• Location: Wrexham/Westminster

• Closing date: 28 July

• Job description and person specification: here

Chris Ward MP

Parliamentary Assistant

• Salary: Within IPSA Salary

• Location: London

• Closing date: 1 August

• Job description and person specification: here

Paul Waugh MP

Parliamentary Assistant

• Salary: £37,000 pro rata 0.8 FTE

• Location: London

• Closing date: 3 August

• Job description and person specification: here

Kate Dearden MP

Digital Communications Constituency Assistant

• Salary: 2 Days per week at RLW

• Location: Halifax

• Closing date: 8 August

• Job description and person specification: here

Joe Powell MP

Policy/Communications Officer

• Salary: £35,000

• Location: London

• Closing date: 30 July

• Job description and person specification: here

Dan Tomlinson MP

Caseworker

• Salary: £32,000 per annum

• Location: London

• Closing date: 27 July

• Job description and person specification: here

Emma Reynolds MP

Policy Caseworker

• Salary: From £28,000 - £34,000

• Location: Wycombe

• Closing date: 1 August

• Job description and person specification: here

Other roles

Apply here for a public appointment to help guide strategy for some of the most important institutions in the United Kingdom at GOV.UK. 

The Fabian Society has two job openings; a Researcher or Senior Researcher, and a Research Assistant. More details here.

The Company Chemists’ Association, the trade association for large pharmacy operators, is looking for a new Communications Officer.

Prisoners’ Education Trust is searching for a new Policy Manager. More details here.

Are you hiring? Send it to hello@labourincomms.org.uk to get it in next month’s edition.

WOMEN IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS PAY & PROGRESSION TOOLKIT

Those that are hiring might be interested in reading Women in Public Affairs’ (WiPA) second guide in their Pay and Progression Toolkit 'Pay & Progression Guide for Employers' - created with employers, for employers to help build more inclusive, transparent workplaces that better support women’s pay, progression, and retention.

Their 2024 Opinium survey revealed a key challenge: only 29% of women say their company publishes salary bands and 60% of firms include salary in job ads. Many employers told them they want to do more to support women in public affairs but aren’t sure where to begin. This guide is designed to help close that gap.

🛠️ Key recommendations include:
- Using inclusive language and structured interviews
- Publishing job adverts with salary bands and clear roles
- Building consistent competency frameworks
- Supporting mid-level women aspiring to leadership
- Being transparent about family leave and flexible working
- Promoting inclusive cultures through allyship and ‘loud parenting’

The guide also features case studies and insights from senior leaders and WiPA’s Senior Advisory Committee - with something for every organisation, whether you're making small changes or bold moves.

📥 You can download the guide here: https://lnkd.in/eZsWZgzD

GOOD NEWS CORNER

Recent announcements from the Labour Party you might have missed 🌹 

1️⃣ New Childcare Options 👶

- Nearly 4,000 school-based nursery places will be available this September. This could help families save up to £7,500 a year.

2️⃣ NHS Care Closer to Home 🏥

- Labour’s new Neighbourhood Health Centres means millions of people will be treated and cared for closer to their home.

3️⃣ Boosted Customer Compensation for Water Service Failures 💧

- Customers facing ongoing water supply issues such as low water pressure or cancelled appointments will automatically receive up to £2,000 in compensation.

4️⃣ Making High Streets Safer This Summer 🚓

- Increased police patrols and local action in over 500 areas to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

5️⃣ Support to Prevent Evictions and Homelessness ⚖

- Vulnerable people at risk of losing their homes will get more help thanks to increased funding for legal aid.

LIC MEMBER SPOTLIGHT - SARAH RONAN

This month, we’re featuring Sarah Ronan, Director of the Early Education and Childcare Coalition (EECC), a policy and advocacy partnership between national organisations working to reform childcare.

Consequently she's worked with Labour in opposition and Government to shape their approach to early years and the Government's new Best Start in Life Strategy. She is a member of the Fabian's Women's Network.

Sarah trained as a journalist before moving into campaign and comms roles including at Pregnant Then Screwed where she led its award-winning pandemic response, and later at the Women's Budget Group, where she developed and founded the EECC.

We asked Sarah what advice she would give fellow members about communications, and what she hopes the Labour Government will prioritise.

💬 Comms advice

"Too many research and policy organisations treat comms as an afterthought, something to retrofit around a piece of research. I've seen too many reports that have no strong narrative, and no press angle, so end up languishing on a website never seeing the light of day. “

Sarah stresses that communications must be embedded from the start - not bolted on at the end.

“Your comms team need to be involved in shaping research, they know what your audience wants, they have their finger on the political pulse and will know how to make research land and have influence. Comms isn't an add-on, it should be woven throughout an organisation's strategy and built into every function. It's the responsibility of everyone in the organisation not just the comms team."

🗳️What should Labour’s next big move be? Redefining family policy

"I'm really excited that we have a Government that has included early years in its Plan for Change. Sure Start was the jewel in the crown of New Labour, and this Labour Government could achieve similar success.”

But she also sees a critical gap: the need for a more inclusive, nuanced vision of family life.

“The left relies too heavily on 'working family' as a unit of electoral currency. I speak to parents all the time from different demographics - they universally do not think of themselves as a 'working family'. In fact, lots of people we speak to think that successive governments only care about their ability to work, and not their ability to parent their children, while other families can't work if they have disabilities or caring responsibilities.”

Sarah warns that without a broader, more human narrative, Labour risks ceding ground in the growing ideological battle.

“It's a very narrow view of family life and, in my opinion, it doesn't resonate.  We've seen in recent international elections how family life, including the role of mothers, has become an ideological battleground. We could end up in the same place here and the party needs to get out ahead of that now."

Please get in touch with the LiC team if you’re interested in being spotlighted in future newsletters, or know someone in the network you’d like to nominate.