Frankly speaking: A tale of two cities

By Frank McKenna

21 Nov 2023

frank-mckenna-1000x500.jpg

There is little doubt who won ‘the battle of the conferences’ this year.

Following the annual gatherings of the Tories in Manchester and Labour in Liverpool last month, the polls have seen Keir Starmer’s party extending its lead.

Whilst he was able to focus on delivering his best speech yet as leader of the opposition at an event that attracted more than 18,000 delegates, many from the business community, the Prime Minister was overshadowed by Liz Truss, Suella Braverman and HS2 at a get together that was low on numbers, excitement, and ideas.

Labour looked like a party of government. Rishi Sunak looked like he was still having to talk to his party, rather than the country, trying to convince a membership that never endorsed him that he is the right man for the job.

It is incredible to think that just two years ago, at the same conferences, Starmer was being heckled, whilst the then PM Boris Johnson was being cheered from the rafters by his party faithful.

It is a reminder of how quickly things can turn around in politics. And it is for this reason that Labour’s leadership is, rightly, cautious about its prospects of victory at next year’s General Election.

An economic upturn, culture wars, or other unforeseen events could still derail Labour quicker than Rishi derailed HS2 and, lest we forget, the mountain Starmer has to climb following his party’s pummelling in 2019 is huge.

Nonetheless, there is little doubt that delegates who headed back to Westminster from Merseyside were far happier than those who trudged back from Manchester.

The election campaign is underway. And it is fair to say, it is now Labour’s to lose.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Frank McKenna

Latest news

1

Innovate Lancashire increases business engagement capacity to accelerate county’s innovation growth Natalie Wilson Hannah Churchman Trudi Waldram

Innovate Lancashire increases business engagement capacity to accelerate county’s innovation growth

18 Feb 2025

2

MP says the Lancashire and Cumbria Institute of Technology will be vital in meeting county’s housing needs Maya Ellis MP With Mark Taylor In The Engineering Department CREDIT Callum Pilkington

MP says the Lancashire and Cumbria Institute of Technology will be vital in meeting county’s housing needs

18 Feb 2025

3

Blackburn College lights up CyberFest with a focus on next-generation cybersecurity Umayr Mir talks a visitor through The BLIS Suite

Blackburn College lights up CyberFest with a focus on next-generation cybersecurity

17 Feb 2025

4

Delivering the Wright kind of care Eric Wright care

Delivering the Wright kind of care

17 Feb 2025

5

Historic hotel to get ‘significant investment’ Shard Riverside

Historic hotel to get ‘significant investment’

17 Feb 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3
Blue-Modern-Land-Travel-Youtube-Thumbnail-2-1024x576.png.png
LBV Hub Awards
14 Jan 2025 - 18 Mar 2025

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3

Community & Business Partners CIC, Blackburn, BB2 3UA

09:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Understanding & Preventing Sexual Harassment - Creating Safe & Respectful Workplaces
Supporting Women's Health in Your Teams A Path to Success-3.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2025

Understanding & Preventing Sexual Harassment - Creating Safe & Respectful Workplaces

*, Online, *

12:30 - 13:30

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Women's Health champion training
Supporting Women's Health in Your Teams A Path to Success-6.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
26 Feb 2025 - 26 Feb 2025

Women's Health champion training

*, Online, *

10:00 - 16:00

Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work Course - In Person
RKMS ACADEMY LOGO - BLACK AND ORANGE.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
26 Feb 2025 - 26 Feb 2025

Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work Course - In Person

RKMS Group , Blackpool, FY42DP

09:30 - 17:00

Employment Law, Tax and Payroll Update - East Lancashire
PM and M event
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Feb 2025 - 26 Feb 2025

Employment Law, Tax and Payroll Update - East Lancashire

Accrington Stanley Football Club, Accrington, BB5 5BX

08:00 - 10:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: February
Freelancer Meet-Up Feb.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
26 Feb 2025 - 26 Feb 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: February

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Better People Management Workshop
Business Breakfast.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Feb 2025 - 26 Feb 2025

Better People Management Workshop

The Jimmy Arnfield Suite Lancashire Football Association, The County Ground, Thurston Road, Leyland, PR25 2LF

10:00 - 15:30

StackedX with PM+M and CFO Techstack
LBV Hub Seminars
27 Feb 2025 - 27 Feb 2025

StackedX with PM+M and CFO Techstack

Red Hall Hotel, Bury, BL9 5NA

08:00 - 10:00

Better People Management Workshop
LBV Hub Seminars
27 Feb 2025 - 27 Feb 2025

Better People Management Workshop

Pendle Town Hall, Market Street, Nelson, BB9 7LJ

10:00 - 15:30

Kickstart Networking - Crazy Golf at Level, Preston
Kickstart Crazy Golf.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
27 Feb 2025 - 27 Feb 2025

Kickstart Networking - Crazy Golf at Level, Preston

Level, Preston, PR1 1HT

16:00 - 18:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV120 Online Graphic 1
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin