IfG at the Labour Party Conference 2026
The IfG are in Liverpool for the Labour Party Conference 2026.
The IfG is hosting a wide-ranging, thought-provoking and influential programme of fringe events at the party conferences.
All events took place at Arena Room Sherwood, Convention Centre, Liverpool Experience Campus unless otherwise stated.
Leaders of tomorrow: How can the UK develop politicians fit for the future?
Monday 28 September | 09:00–10:00
Listen to the event
Speakers:
- Sam Carling MP, Member of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
- Chris Murray MP, Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
- Dr Sofia Ropek-Hewson, Senior Research Fellow and Interim Head of Decade of National Renewal Programme at IPPR
- Joel Spreadborough, Head of Policy and Impact at the Chartered Management Institute
This event was chaired by Vicky Elliott, Director of the IfG Academy at the Institute for Government
This event was in partnership with IPPR.
Photos from this event are available on our Flickr.
Getting things done: How can government deliver policy priorities?
Monday 28 September | 10:30–11:30
Listen to the event
Speakers:
- Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State (Home Office)
- David Pinto-Duschinsky MP, Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Department for Work and Pensions, and former Special Adviser in the Home Office and Treasury
- James Reeve, Partner at PA Consulting
- Felicity Slater, former special adviser in No.10, Cabinet Office, and HM Treasury
- Jack Worlidge, Associate Director at the Institute for Government
This event was chaired by Hannah Keenan, Associate Director at the Institute for Government.
This event was in partnership with PA Consulting.
Photos from this event are available on our Flickr.
How can Labour build an affordable welfare system that supports sick and disabled people?
Monday 28 September | 12:00–13:00
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Speakers:
- Dame Meg Hillier MP, Chair of the Treasury Select Committee
- Rt Hon Alan Milburn, Chair of the Young People and Work Review
- Ben Paxton, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government
- Dr Kate Summers, British Academy Post Doctoral Fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science
This event was chaired by Thomas Pope, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government.
This event was in partnership with the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Photos from this event are available on our Flickr.
How can digital public services be made a reality?
Monday 28 September | 13:30–14:30
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Speakers:
- Mallory Durran, Chief Technology Officer at Nesta
- Cllr Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council and Cabinet Member for Innovation at the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
- Cassia Rowland, Associate Director at the Institute for Government
- Rachel Taylor, UK Government & Health Industries Leader and Global Government & Public Sector Leader at PwC
This event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.
This event was in partnership with PwC.
Photos from this event are available on our Flickr.
Where next for English devolution under Andy Burnham?
Monday 28 September | 15:00–16:00
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Speakers:
- Mayor Kim McGuinness, Mayor of North East England
- Cllr Fran Belbin, Leader of Sheffield City Council
- Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor at The University of Manchester
- Mark Rogers, Interim Chief Executive, Sussex & Brighton Strategic Authority
This event was chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.
This event was in partnership with The University of Manchester.
Photos from this event are available on our Flickr.
How can Labour’s early years agenda better support boys from low-income families?
Monday 28 September | 16:30–17:30
Listen to the event
Speakers:
- Paul Waugh MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Early Education)
- Lynn Perry MBE, Chief Executive Officer at Barnardo's
- Sarah Ronan, Executive Director at the Early Education and Childcare Coalition
- Matt Towner, Director of Programmes at Impact on Urban Health
- Alistair Strathern MP, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Labour Group for Men and Boys
This event was chaired by Nehal Davison, former Programme Director at the Institute for Government.
This event was in partnership with Barnardo’s and Impact on Urban Health.
Photos from this event are available on our Flickr.
What do the public really think about government? | Reception
Monday 28 September | 19:00–20:00
Speakers:
- Claire Ainsley, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government
- Cameron Garrett, Deputy Director of Research at More in Common
- Mayor David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire
- Dr Hannah White, CEO of the Institute for Government
Photos from this event are available on our Flickr.
The Institute for Government is grateful to the following organisations for their support of these Labour Party Conference 2026 events:
Visit our other 2026 party conference event pages:
Contact Pritesh Mistry, Head of Partnerships, at [email protected] if you would like to partner with us at conference.
Contact the IfG Events Team at [email protected] if you have any general questions or queries about our conference activity.
All audio from our events will be added to our IfG Events podcast feed. Follow and listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Please note that only those with a security pass can attend party conference. If you would like to catch up on our events, the audio and photos will be available on this webpage shortly after the events.
IfG 2025 party conference event pages: Conservative | Labour | Liberal Democrat | Reform UK