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)

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

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.