Labour in Communications Newsletter – 4 September 2024
Good morning everyone,
We hope you've managed to enjoy some rest and relaxation during "silly season". As Westminster heads back to work after the summer recess, and with conference on the horizon (cue the lukewarm wine), the Labour in Comms team has been busy planning our autumn events programme and collating the best fringes and receptions taking place in Liverpool - so you don't have to.
This month's edition of the Labour in Comms newsletter includes:
Your guide to Labour Party Conference - a roundup of activities being delivered by the LiC network and our members.
An update on the LiC Policy Networks and how you can get involved.
Job opportunities within the Labour Party and beyond.
As always, if you have any questions, suggestions, or are interested in partnering with us, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
See you in Liverpool!
Best wishes,
Alice, Tara, Ben, Lily and Ed
Your guide to Labour Party Conference
Sunday 22 September
LiC x Labour Business Breakfast Briefing - Merseyside Suite @ Pullman Hotel. 10.00 - 11.30am
LiC are delighted to be partnering with Labour Business and other business groups to deliver a breakfast briefing for business delegates. LiC network members can sign-up here.
The Small Business Forum - ACC Hall 2F, 2.00-5.00pm
Join Labour Business and Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business and Trade for an afternoon of discussion focussed on how we support SME’s to drive growth and power up our economy. Register here.
How Can Labour Fix the Renting Crisis? - Arena Room 8 @ ACC, 3.30pm onwards
The Renters’ Reform Coalition are hosting a panel which includes Vicky Spratt, i newspaper’s Housing Correspondent, Tom Darling, Director of the Renters’ Reform Coalition, Tom Macinnes, Director of Policy at Citizens Advice, Anny Cullum, Political Officer at ACORN, Matthew Pennycook MP, Minister of State for Housing (invited). Open to all conference attendees.
Charging Ahead: Safety in Active Travel Summit - Meeting Room 9 @ Leonardo Hotel, 4.00- 5.30pm
Join Electrical Safety First’s event to discuss the necessary steps to ensure that e-bikes and e-scooters are equipped with safe and compliant batteries. Panellists include Lesley Rudd, Chief Executive of Electrical Safety First, Julian Scriven, Managing Director of Brompton Bicycle UK, Simon Lightwood MP, Local Transport Minister (invited), Matt Western MP (invited) and Lilli Matson, Chief Safety, Health and Environment Officer at Transport for London (invited). Open to all conference attendees, but you can email tara.joe@electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk to secure your space in advance.
Ocean Question Time - Arena Room 5 @ ACC Liverpool, 4.00-5.30pm
The National Oceanography Centre is hosting a panel to discuss the future of the ocean, its challenges, potential, and above all, how we can collectively safeguard future generations. They will be joined by Satvir Kaur MP, Dr John Siddorn, Chief Executive of National Oceanography Centre, Chris Shirling-Rooke MBE, Chief Executive of Maritime UK, Emma Hardy MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (invited), and Barry Gardiner MP (invited) Open to all conference attendees.
Charity Bingo Reception - Arena Room 4 @ ACC Liverpool, 7.00-9.00pm
Join the Bingo Association in celebrating the great game of bingo and the vital role clubs play in communities across Britain. For each game played, we’ll donate £250 to the winner’s charity of choice. You’ll be joined by Kirsty McNeill MP, Minister, Scotland Office and Lisa Nandy MP, Culture Secretary (invited) and . To secure your space in advance, please email bingo@plmr.co.uk.
Labour Business: Metro Mayors’ Reception, Room 12 @ ACC Liverpool, 7.00-9.00pm
Join our Metro Mayors to celebrate Labour in power and showcase devolution successes. Hosted by Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Sign up here.
LiC x Trainline Labour Conference Reception - The Botanist @ Liverpool Albert Docks, 7.30pm-late
LiC are pleased to be partnering with Trainline for a second year, bringing together members from across communications, public affairs and policy for an evening of networking, drinks and nibbles. Tickets will be released on our website at 9am on 10 September 2024.
Monday 23 September
How Do We Bring Care Out of Hospitals and Into the Community? A Panel of GPs and Primary Care Leaders Provide Solutions to One of Labour Health Team's Priority Policy Goals - Crowne Plaza @ Liverpool City Centre, 9.00 -11.00am
The Rebuild General Practice Campaign is hosting a panel discussion featuring Dr Samira Anane, Rebuild General Practice Campaign spokesperson and BMA GP Committee, Dr Victoria Tzortziou-Brown, Vice Chair, Royal College of GPs, Richard Sloggett, Founder and Programme Director of Future Health, Dr Simon Opher MP and Stephen Kinnock MP, Minister for Primary Care (invited). Open to all conference attendees.
Labour Together’s General Election Review - Arena Room 2 @ ACC Liverpool, 1.00pm onwards
Labour Together will be presenting findings from a new review of the General Election and study of why Labour won, alongside panellists including Christabel Cooper, Director of Research at Labour Together, Sam Freedman, Policy Expert and Political Commentator and Secretary of State for Justice, Shabana Mahmood MP. Please email info@labourtogether.co.uk for further information.
What does Labour’s Landslide Mean for Tech? - Arena Room 5 @ ACC Liverpool, 2.00-3.00pm
techUK are hosting a discussion with new MPs on how Parliament will approach the tech industry. They hope to bring industry and members of the Labour Party a chance to hear from new MPs with a background in the technology sector on how they and their colleagues are likely to approach digital issues in this new Parliament. Confirmed speakers include Allison Gardner MP, Andrew Pakes MP, Lucy Rigby MP, Kanishka Narayan MP and Samantha Niblett MP. Open to all conference attendees.
Northern Business Reception - Arena Room 4 @ ACC Liverpool, 5.00-6.30pm
Join Jet2, other businesses and policymakers to discuss the partnerships and investments that drive economic growth across the North. Panellists include Angela Rayner MP, Deputy Prime Minister (invited) and Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester (invited). To secure your space in advance, please email jet2@plmr.co.uk.
‘Your Next Mission: Fix Food, Fix the Planet’ with the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission, Suites 3, 4 and 5 @ Leonardo Hotel, 5.00 - 6.30pm
Join Labour leaders Carwyn Jones and Baroness Young to bring you some of the most innovative and influential voices in the debates about the future of food and farming in the UK – including Andy Cato, Sophie Gregory, and James Rebanks. Curated by the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission, this event challenges Labour leaders to seize the opportunities that fixing food offers. Open to all conference attendees.
Labour Together: YIMBY Drinks Reception - Arena Room 2 @ ACC Liverpool, 7.00-8.30pm
Attend Labour Together’s reception, featuring speakers from Labour Together, Labour Growth Group and Better Society Capital. This event is invitation only, please email info@labourtogether.co.uk for further information.
Tuesday 24 September
techUK x RELX: Improving AI Adoption to Support Labour’s Mission for Growth - Madre, Unit 6 @ Atlantic Pavilion L3 4AE, 10.00-11.00am
This session will consider what the current barriers are to AI adoption and what policy changes could be made to make the uptake of AI solutions simpler and more accessible. Open to all conference attendees.
techUK x Cisco: Digital Resilience and Risk: Building an Economy Able to Withstand the Threats of Tomorrow - Arena Room 5 @ ACC Liverpool, 10.30-11.30am
This event will focus on the need to consider resilience within the rollout and adoption of technological solutions, and what steps the government should consider when building on the UK’s current cybersecurity framework. It will also touch upon how technology can often be the solution to defending the UK’s public services, given examples of solutions specifically focussed on countering such threats, and how it can support wider economic growth. Open to all conference attendees.
The Flagship Labour Business Reception - Grace Suite 3 @ Liverpool Hilton Hotel, 6.00-8.00pm
Join Labour Business and Labour networks for their Flagship Conference Reception with Deputy Leader of the Party, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and other speakers and guests. Sign up here.
Join LiC’s Policy Network
This month we are relaunching the LiC Policy Network, a hub for like-minded individuals to network, collaborate and share insights and opportunities within their respective fields.
Within the Policy Network are 15 distinct groups covering a range of areas, including:
Science, Innovation & Technology - Chaired by Samiah Anderson, Head of Digital Economy, 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 and Richard Arnold, Policy Director, UK Marine Energy Council
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
Education and Skills - *VACANCY*
Devolution and Local Government - *VACANCY*
Justice and Legal Services -*VACANCY*
Diversity, Equality and Inclusivity - *VACANCY*
Defence and Aerospace - *VACANCY*
International Development and Aid - *VACANCY*
Trade and Industrial Strategy - *VACANCY*
If you would like to join the Policy Network, please get in touch with the relevant lead. We usually ask for demonstrable interest or experience working in the relevant field.
If the lead position is vacant and you are interested in joining the network or filling the role, get in touch with Community Lead, Tara Joe via LinkedIn or at hello@labourincomms.org.uk
Labour in Communication’s members’ employers are not affiliated in any way with The Labour in Communications Network or The UK Labour Party. Members carry out their COMMUNITY duties on a voluntary basis, in their own time and at their own expense.
WORK FOR A LABOUR MP
A number of Labour MPs are looking to fill roles in their Westminster or constituency offices, live opportunities include:
Yuan Yang MP
Caseworker / Constituency Support Assistant
Apply before 9 September by sharing your CV, cover letter and details of two references with the subject line ‘Caseworker Application’ to jacqueline.steele@parliament.uk
Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP
Caseworker (Part time)
Apply before 10 September with your CV, cover letter, details of two references and subject ‘(JOB APPLICATION)’ to boxj@parliament.uk by 10 September.
Lola McEvoy MP
Caseworker (Part time) / Marketing and Administration Officer
Submit your CV and cover letter (approx. 500 words) to Lola.McEvoy.MP@parliament.uk with the subject line “Caseworker Application” before 5pm on 12 September.
Patricia Ferguson MP
Caseworker (Part Time)
Email a CV and one page cover letter, with the subject line Caseworker - Your First and Last Name’ before 13 September to patricia.ferguson.mp@parliament.uk.
Luke Charters MP
Executive Officer (Fixed Term)
Please send a CV to anna.baxter@parliament.uk by 12 September. The role holder can be based in either York or London. Part-time working is considered.
Chris Kane MP
Personal Assistant
Send your CV and cover letter to chris.kane.mp@parliament.uk by 16 September. Make sure to include ‘Application - Personal Assistant’ as the subject.
Liz Kendall MP
Caseworker
The deadline to apply is 11 September. Email your CV to Liz.Kendall.MP@parliament.uk’ with ‘Caseworker Application - YOUR NAME’ to apply.
Alan Strickland MP
Caseworker
Apply for this constituency role by 11 September by emailing your CV and cover letter to liam.fellows@parliament.uk with the subject line ‘Caseworker Application’.
Rachel Taylor MP
Office & Casework Manager
The deadline to apply for this role in North Warwickshire and Bedworth role is 12 September. Email your CV and cover letter to James.Trollope@parliament.uk with the subject header ‘Application - Office Manager - Applicant’s name’.
Paul Waugh MP
Senior Caseworker
Apply to this Rochdale role by sending your CV and one page cover letter to paul.waugh.mp@parliament.uk by 16 September.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
A PR and Communications Consultancy is hiring for a General Account Executive and Housing and Regeneration Account Executive. Apply by 5 October by sending your CV and Cover Letter to frances.ingram@collegegreengroup.com
Are you hiring? Send it to hello@labourincomms.org.uk to get it in next month’s edition.
LiC MEMBER SPOTLIGHT - SEPTEMBER 2024
This month’s spotlight is on Joe Holden, Senior Policy Consultant at Rud Pedersen Public Affairs (RPPA). Joe joined RPPA earlier this year, where he is supporting UK and international organisations to understand what a Labour Government means for them.
Borne out of the Nordic region, RPPA is part of the Rud Pedersen Group, which was named EMEA Public Affairs Consultancy of the Year 2023 and is now Europe's fastest-growing Public Affairs and Strategic Communications group, with 19 offices across 18 European countries.
Joe is a long-time Labour member. One of the key causes he cares about is electoral reform and in the past, with support from Make Votes Matter and the Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform, he has worked to pass CLP policy motions in support of a more proportionally representative way of electing our Parliament.
He has been involved with Labour in Communications since its inception and currently leads the organisation’s Food and Environment Policy Network. He will also be heading to Liverpool for Conference later this month and would be happy to meet for a chat to discuss any of the above and more!
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.
Labour in Communications Newsletter – 7 August 2024
Good morning,
Before we introduce our new monthly newsletter, we wanted to take the opportunity to express our solidarity with all those impacted by the violence and racism we have witnessed this past week. We understand that many in our LiC community will be feeling anxious at the scenes on display, and we hope that all our members and partners are keeping safe.
Today we launch the new Labour in Comms Newsletter, bringing you the latest updates and opportunities from across the network each month. Whether you’re interested in attending one of our upcoming events, thinking about getting involved in our mentoring scheme, or simply want to connect with other Labour supporters working in your industry, there’s something for everyone.
This month’s edition includes:
Meet your new LiC executive team.
“Save the Date” for our Party Conference reception.
Job opportunities within the Labour Party and beyond.
We’re so excited to start this new chapter for the LiC network, building on the incredible work of the previous executive team and of course welcoming a new Labour Government in Westminster.
As always, if you have any questions, suggestions, or are interested in partnering with us, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
Best wishes,
The LiC Team
MEET YOUR NEW TEAM
The LiC Leadership Team oversees and coordinates the network's work to ensure we are delivering on our mission - to grow support for the Labour Party and build a community for our members to network and share ideas
Alice Grimes | Network Lead
Alice Grimes is Head of Public Affairs at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), leading the organisation’s overarching political engagement strategy and campaigning activity across Whitehall. Before joining the CBI, she worked in social policy at the National Lottery Community Fund and was a graduate on the Charityworks scheme. She holds a master’s in Public Policy and Management from Birkbeck College, London.
Ed Lavelle | Engagement Lead
Originally from Preston, Lancashire, Ed studied politics at Durham University before joining Grayling Communications in 2019. After nearly five years at Grayling, Ed recently joined DGA Group, formerly Dentons Global Advisors. - as a Director in their public affairs team earlier this year.
Ben Pang | Events and Sponsorship Lead
Ben Pang is an Account Director at Lowick, with a focus on public affairs and communications. Prior to joining Lowick, Ben worked at Hanbury Strategy and spent nearly three years in the Civil Service advising ministers and SpAds on media relations.
Lily Lofty | Campaign Lead
Lily is a Consultant in Hanover Communications' London Advocacy Team and works for clients across the technology, energy and sports sectors. Prior to working in public affairs, Lily worked for two Labour MPs, including a Shadow Minister, in their Parliamentary offices. She has a MSc in International History from the London School of Economics (LSE).
Tara Joe | Community Lead
Tara is a public affairs professional with five years of experience in politics, and a deep commitment to impactful community engagement. She is the Public Affairs Manager at Electrical Safety First, where she leads the charity's activity in Westminster.
GET THIS IN YOUR DIARY
LiC x Trainline Labour Conference Reception - The Botanist @ Liverpool Albert Dock, Sunday 22nd September, 7.30pm to late.
LiC are delighted to be partnering with Trainline for a second year, bringing together members from across communications, public affairs and policy for an evening of networking, drinks and nibbles. Registration for this event will be going live in the next couple of weeks and details of guest speakers will be shared in due course.
More events to be announced next month.
PS. We’re always on the lookout for sponsors and exciting venues to host our events, particularly in Central London. If you’ve got the perfect space for a networking reception or function rooms for panel events and “fireside chats”, we’d love to hear from you.
ICYMI
LiC: Sky News Leaders Special - The Battle for Number 10 Watch Party
In June, Labour in Comms held our first-ever watch party, with the network coming together to watch Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak go head to head during the General Election campaign and discuss the party leaders’ performances.
The event, kindly hosted by Milltown Partners, saw members share election predictions, campaigning stories and make new connections over pizza and drinks.
WORK FOR A LABOUR MP
A number of Labour MPs are looking to fill roles in their Westminster or constituency offices, live opportunities include:
James Asser MP
Campaigns and Communications Officer
Apply before 9 August by sharing your CV and cover letter with the subject line ‘APPLICATION - CAMPAIGNS AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER’ to tim.hammersley@parliament.uk.
Wes Streeting MP
Caseworker (Part time)
Send your CV and cover letter to his Chief of Staff, Matt Goddin on caseworker@redbridgelabour.org.uk before 12 August.
Emily Thornberry MP
Constituency Intern
To complete the application form and send it to ryan.smith@parliament.uk before 12 August.
Daniel Francis MP
Constituency Communications Manager, Parliamentary Assistant/Researcher or Office Manager
Email a CV and cover letter, with the subject line ‘Parliamentary Assistant/Researcher - Your First Name and Last Name’, before 14 August to daniel.francis.mp@parliament.uk to apply.
Jim Dickson MP
Caseworker or Senior Caseworker
Please send a CV and one-page cover letter to jim.dickson.mp@parliament.uk by 10pm on 14 August, specifying which role you are applying for.
David Williams MP
Parliamentary Assistant
Send your CV and cover letter to david.williams.mp@parliament.uk by 5pm, 16 August. Make sure to include ‘Parliamentary Assistant - Your First Name and Last Name’ as the subject.
Dan Aldridge MP
Constituency Support Officer
The deadline to apply is 9 August. Email your CV to daniel.aldridge.mp@parliament.uk to apply.
Chi Onwurah MP
Admin Assistant Trainee
Apply for this constituency role by 16 August by emailing your CV and cover letter to annemarie.burke@parliament.uk. Make sure to address the subject title of the email as APPLICATION, Admin Assistant Trainee.
Alison Hume MP
Caseworker
The deadline to apply for this role in Scarborough and Whitby is 5pm, 14 August. Email your CV and cover letterto alison.hume.mp@parliament.uk with the subject ‘Caseworker Application - Alison Hume MP’ to apply.
Chris Hinchliff MP
Senior Communications Officer
Apply to this North-Hertfordshire role by sending your CV and cover letter to chris.hinchliff.mp@parliament.uk by 23 August. Use ‘Senior Communications Officer - Your First and Last Name’ in the subject lane.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
An award-winning agency is currently recruiting for several roles to join its rapidly growing team. Applications are considered on a rolling basis. You can apply here.
techUK, the trade association which brings together people, companies and organisations to realise the positive outcomes of what digital technology can achieve is hiring for a number of roles, including Head of Programme - Financial Services, Programme Manager - Health & Social Care, Policy Manager - EU and Programme Manager for Small Business Engagement and Nations & Regions. The deadline is asap. You can apply using the links attached.
Are you hiring? Send it to hello@labourincomms.org.uk to get it in next month’s edition.
BECOME A MENTOR
I Have a Voice is a not-for-profit that works with young people from backgrounds that are underrepresented in democratic processes, including careers related to advocacy and influencing. Their aim is to equip them with the tools and confidence to get involved, speak up, and potentially embark on a rewarding career.
Every September to May, they run a mentoring scheme pairing over 100 professionals in our sector with over 100 young people so that you can explain the roles available to them and help them gain the experience needed to compete for roles and thrive. They’re looking for new mentors to join from September 2024. If you're interested in developing your mentoring skills and supporting young people to improve their career prospects then either check out the information pack on their website or contact rebecca@ihaveavoice.org.uk.
LiC MEMBER SPOTLIGHT - AUGUST 2024
This month, we’re delighted to spotlight public affairs pro, Samiah Anderson, who recently joined techUK as Head of Digital Economy, where she leads the strategic thinking behind how the tech sector is positioned to deliver the growth mission in the context of the Labour Government.
Samiah has been a Labour Party member for several years, inspired by her campaigning experiences in Rethinking Economics and during the Grenfell Tower Disaster. Today, she is the Labour in Communications DSIT Policy Lead and the Treasurer for her local party branch within Queens Park and Maida Vale (QPMV). She campaigned during the General Election, working to see Georgia Gould MP, Dawn Butler MP, and Rachel Blake MP elected. She also supported Sadiq Khan’s third mayoral campaign.
In addition, she is an active member of the Black Comms Network and is involved in a host of other DE&I initiatives within the industry, including Black Politicos and the Taylor Bennett Foundation as a Mentor.
She’ll be attending this year’s Labour National Women’s Conference as a QPMV delegate and Labour Conference—please reach out to her if you’d like to talk about her experience or if you're interested in promoting how the UK digital economy and innovation can drive sustained economic growth.
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.