Change begins
Labour Party Conference 2024
Change begins. That was the message we delivered in Liverpool at the Labour Party Conference 2024.
As MPs return to Westminster following a busy couple of weeks of recess, I’m reflecting on the learnings from conference.
There was a tangible buzz in the air at this year’s conference - not only did more than 20,000 people from our movement come together - it was our first conference in 14 years addressing our nation as the party of Government.
After an intense summer campaign and little over three months into government the work of change and fixing the foundations is in full swing. In Liverpool we showed our members and the people what that change looks after 14 years of Tory carnage.
It was only once we entered Downing Street on July 5th did the full nature of Tory fiscal negligence become clear. They overspent and poorly spent leaving a £22bn blackhole in the public finances pouring petrol over our economy and then lighting the match as they left office. Partygate, criminality, Covid-19 corruption and managed decline of our public services is their legacy and our call to action.
Our message at conference was clear: we are rebuilding Britain. We will stabilise the economy and fix the broken foundations over a decade of national renewal.
So what is the difference Labour makes you ask.
Three months into government we have begun the work, giving workers’ rights the biggest overhaul in 100 years, introduced planning reform to get house building moving so young people finally realise their dream of owning their own home, started a Covid corruption inquiry, scrapped the wasteful Rwanda plan, committed to removing the VAT exemption on private school fees, created a child poverty task force, set up Great British Energy, allowed new onshore wind farms, started a nation wealth fund, brought in the renter’s reform bill and nationalised the railways. And this is just domestically. On the international front we have reorientated our country back towards the rule of international law by allowing the international criminal court to do its vital work in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.
For me, conference this year was a singularly special experience. It was my first conference as the MP for Glasgow South West and I was in addition honoured to be appointed as the Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) the Department of Health and Social Care.
Conference was a whirlwind of 16 hour days. I had the absolute pleasure of meeting with colleagues, party members, charities, innovative organisations and businesses - speaking on panels, discussing Labour’s plans for government, catching up with Scottish Labour and hosting events. In this special edition newsletter, I want to share my insights of #LabourConference2024.
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TEAM HEALTH
As Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Department of Health and Social Care, I work closely with the Secretary of State, Wes Streeting and departmental ministers, Karin Smyth, Stephen Kinnock, Andrew Gwynne and Baroness Merron.
LABOUR FRIENDS OF PALESTINE & THE MIDDLE EAST AND MEDICAL AID FOR PALESTINIANS
LFPME and MAP hosted a huge event to reiterate our stance on Gaza.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner emphasised the clear demand for an immediate ceasefire, to allow for unfettered aid into Gaza, and the release of all hostages - to end the senseless suffering.
We were also joined by my friend and the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to the UK, Husman Zomlot who reminded us to be oriented by the goal – we need a ceasefire between both sides now.
TACKLING ECONOMIC INACTIVITY
The New Statesmen and Zurich Insurance hosted a roundtable to discuss how we get Britain back to work.
This Government is committed to tackling the root causes of economic activity. We need to get employers working with government - helping people with long term illness return to work. We also discussed new work, health and skills plans for the economically inactive, led by Mayors and local areas. This Labour Government understands that to get out country back to growth we must get our people back to health.
THE BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOSICATION
The BMA hosted a roundtable discussing how we tackle the record NHS waiting lists for patients. We talked about the need to invest in data submission software that can be used across the NHS and the importance of investing in digital advancement that can triage, supporting the shift from analogue to digital.
Of course with the political will, this learning can be taken to the NHS in Scotland to help end the digital desert that patients experience here.
SCOTLAND AND UK LABOUR TOGETHER IN PARTNERSHIP
Scottish and UK Labour health teams met together in a spirit of mutual learning and cooperation. To end the digital inequity and unlock our NHS’ potential - utilising talent in Scotland - we need a Labour Government in Westminster and Holyrood in 2026 with Jackie Baillie MSP advocating for a better health system.
SME4LABOUR
SME4Labour provide a forum whereby SMEs (Small Medium-Sized Enterprises) can work in partnership with the Labour Party and continue to inform their economic policies.
In partnership with Stand With Crypto, SME4Labour held a panel on block chain and start-ups, focusing how they can create jobs, generate inclusive growth and drive innovation across the UK.
PREVENTION FIRST
On the panel hosted by Total Politics, I spoke on the importance of prevention to support the NHS. I explained that we need to recognise pharmacy for the really important cog it is in the health system, and the role it will play in moving the NHS to a prevention-led service.
REFORMING EMERGENCY CARE
Hosted by Prospect in partnership with The Royal College of Emergency Medicine, the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the British Geriatrics Society, we discussed the crisis and opportunities for the NHS currently, emphasising A&E - both as a problem in itself and as the place where the issues in the wider health service are dumped.
I talked about the big three points proposed by the Department of Health and Social Care - shifting from hospital to community care, from analogue to digital, from treating sickness to preventing it.
SCOTLAND’S QUIZ NIGHT
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) put delegates to the test with questions like “How many people in the UK begin to lose their sight every day?”. I had a lot of fun being quizmaster for the evening.
LABOUR TO WIN
In the 2019 General Election Labour was non-existent in Glasgow. Just five years later, we have completely ousted the SNP and won every seat in the city. I spoke at the Labour to Win rally about our 2024 General Election success - bringing Scotland back to the heart of a Labour Government.
HOW TO FIX THE NHS
On the Reform Think Tank panel I explained that the system we have to support to sick people is inadequate and needs to change, but I also expressed my optimism. There are individual organisation with some great strategies and outcomes - and these practices need to become more ubiquitous.
CHANGING THE FOOD SYSTEM
Bite Back - a youth activist movement challenging the food system and highlighting the dangers of ultra-processed foods - hosted a panel about how unhealthy food negatively impact young people. I spoke about how difficult it is to eat healthily and how important it is to listen to young people about their lives.
Until 2025, conference!