Business West at Party Conferences

Andrea Dell
18 September 2025

We are attending the Labour and the Liberal Democrat party conferences this month, making the case to invest in our region.  

We will be there on behalf of our Chamber, Initiative and Futures West members. We will be discussing the emerging Local Growth Plan with national decision-makers. 

The Local Growth Plan, under development by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, is a locally owned, 10-year strategy showing how our region will use its devolved powers and funding to drive growth. It will build on our unique strengths, set priorities for growth-driving sectors, and create a framework to unlock investment and improve the business environment. 

Our members are central to this vision – creating jobs, investing in skills, and driving innovation across the region. The party conference season is our chance to put our region’s priorities on the national stage. 

Are you heading to conference? Join us at one of our events, or a partner session, to help turn the Local Growth Plan into action – and make sure our region gets the investment it needs:

Liberal Democrat Conference – Bournemouth 

Sunday 21st September 2025 

Monday 22 September 2025 

  • Futures West Liberal Democrat Conference Breakfast with Vikki Slade MP and the Brunel Centre – Morning, 8 am – 10am Business West, (Outside Secure Zone) 
  • ‘What Can Our Cities Do For The national economy?’ – with Vicki Slade MP and Cllr Millie Earl – Morning, 11:30 am – 12:30, Centre for Cities, (Within Secure Zone) 
  • Unlocking Community-Led Housing and SMEs to Solve the Housing Crisis – Evening, 18:15 pm - 19:15 pm, Nationwide Foundation, (Within Secure Zone) 

Tuesday 23rd September 2025

  • 'Energising Economies: The Role of Electricity Networks In Boosting Local Economic Growth' with Claire Young MP, IPPR & National Grid, Afternoon, 13.00 - 14.00, (Within Secure Zone)

Labour Conference – Liverpool 

Sunday 28 September 2025 

  • A Case for Cities and Growth in LGR and Devolution with Cllr Jim Robbins – Afternoon, 12:00 am to 14:30 pm, Hilton Hotel, Grace Suite 2, 3 Thomas Steers Way, Liverpool, L1 8LW, (Within Secure Zone) 
  • South West Reception – Evening, 18:00–19:30 PM, South West Labour (Sponsored by Hargreaves Lansdown), (Within Secure Zone)

Monday 29 September 2025 

  • Powering Places: How the Industrial Strategy Can Deliver Nationwide Renewal – 8:30–9:30 AM, Future Governance Forum & Growth and Reform Network, (Within Secure Zone) 
  • How Can The Government Turn The Tide On Skills To Achieve Its Mission Of A High-Productivity, High-Growth Economy? with Helen Godwin – New Statesman – 9:00–9:50 AM, (Within Secure Zone) 
  • ‘In Conversation’ Between Andrew Carter and Helen Godwin – 3:00–3:45 PM, (Outside Secure Zone) 
  • Regional Growth Reception (Growing Together Alliance) – 10:00 PM–Midnight, (Within Secure Zone) 

Tuesday 30 September 2025 

Click the links in the programme above to book on to our events. We’ll be sharing insights live from the conference floor on LinkedIn – follow along to see how we’re making the case for the West of England.