Conference season 2025: what’s happening, and how to make the most of it

It’s that time once again when the generic blue suits are worn, the chins are wagging and bellies are filled with stale egg sandwiches.  

Yes, it’s party conference season, where the political parties welcome members, politicians, activists, and every public affairs professional under the sun, to come and join them for a long weekend of policy, politics, and networking, with just a hint of tribalism, and very little sleep. 

As always, we’ll be there with a host of members, advocating for the issues we and our organisations care about. Here, we provide information on the best events at Reform, Liberal Democrats, Labour, Conservatives and SNP events. 

But if you’re new to party conference, it can be a daunting prospect, so here are some tips to get you through it.  

• Conference is full of varied and interesting events. Make sure you scour that agenda and get to as many fringes as possible. 

• There are parliamentarians EVERYWHERE. If you don’t manage to chat to them at a fringe, it’s more than likely you will run into them in the hotel lobby, or the bar, or the coffee shop. Be prepared to give your spiel at a moment’s notice. 

• Haven’t been able to badger that minister or shadow secretary of state for a meeting? Head to a fringe where they are talking and ask your questions. You can also try speaking to them after their fringe speech, but it’s a bit like the Hunger Games, so make sure you get to the front early before the inevitable swarm. 

• Don’t forget the old adage “You’ve gotta network to get work.” Chat to others in fringes – you never know what useful connections you will make. 

• In previous years, I’ve met more MPs at the bars than official meetings. Whether to drink or not is your prerogative, but it’s definitely worth staying up late to visit the main conference bars – you’ll absolutely run into politicians there. 

• Go visit the stalls in the conference hall. Not only will you get to see the incredible work of some amazing charities in the UK, the guide dogs are always there if you need to chill out for a second. You can even pat them, just don’t stand on them like Suella Braverman once did. 

• It’s a marathon not a sprint. More often than not it’s an early start and late finish – make sure you look after yourself. Most fringes have free food and drinks – make the most of it. 

• Attend the Bond drinks receptions at the Labour and Conservative Conferences. For Labour, we have Minister Chapman giving the keynote speech, and for the Conservatives, we hope to be joined by the Shadow Foreign Minister, Priti Patel. Both events will be on the Sundays of their respective conference, Labour on the 28 Sept at 8:30pm, and the Conservatives on the 5 October at 6pm. 

• Make sure you also attend the fringe events hosted by other Bond members and allies. 

• Loads of vitamin C – oranges help! 

It all sounds quite daunting, and sometimes it can be overwhelming. Please do look after yourself and keep an eye on the Policy and Lobbying groups over the next week for a link to a WhatsApp group that I’ll be setting up. That way we can all stay in touch and support one another.  

That said, party conferences can be transformational for you and your work, so please do take every opportunity possible to make the most of it. As for what’s on at conferences this year, please check out these interesting events below, in chronological order. Please note that more events will be added as the agendas are released. 

Reform Party Conference 

Full agenda can be found here 

Friday 5 September 

Inside the secure zone – pass needed 

11:00 – 12:30 – More In Common: Electoral Coalition Event – Britania Theatre 

13:00 – 14:30 – Popular Conservatism: Restoration and Repeal: Saving British democracy – Endeavour Theatre 

17:00 – 18:00 – The Spectator: Michael Gove in conversation with Zia Yusuf – Liberty Theatre 

Saturday 6 September 

Inside the secure zone – pass needed 

11:00 – 12:30 – Heartland Institute – Is climate realism inevitable? – Britania Theatre 

13:00 – 14:00 – The Prosperity Institute: How can Reform succeed in office? Saving British democracy and learning lessons from Trump – Nelson Theatre 

Lib Dem Party Conference 

Full agenda can be found here. 

Saturday 20 September 

Inside the secure zone – pass needed 

13:00 – 14:00 – Humanist and Secularist Liberal Democrats: Reason, Rights, Renewal: Liberal and Humanist Internationalist Values in Times of Uncertainty – Bournemouth International Centre, Durley Suite 

20:15 – 21:30 – Cllr Zuffar Haq MBE in partnership with Lib Dem Friends of Palestine: Crisis in the Middle East – Bournemouth International Centre, Avon Room 

Sunday 21 September 

Outside of the secure zone – no pass needed 

Lib Dems in International Development Day – Franklyn Suite, The Connaught Hotel 

14.30 – 15.30 Panel discussion on Human Rights and Development sponsored by the Coalition for Global Prosperity  

15.45 – 16.45 Panel discussion on Humanitarian Needs, Nutrition and Conflict sponsored by United Against Malnutrition and Hunger and WFP 

17.00 – 18.00 Power, Purpose, and Perception: How the UK aid cuts could shape global influence, sponsored by Bond – with Lord Purvis; Brian Mathew MP; Sophie Powell, Christian Aid; Paul Abernethy, Bond (Chair) 

18.30 – 21.30 Drinks and networking reception  

Inside the secure zone 

11:30 – 12:30 – More in Common and WWF: Green Foundations: Where next for the Liberal Democrats on climate and nature? – Highcliff Marriott, Sandbanks Room 

19:45 – 21:00 – The Green Groups Climate and Nature Drinks Reception! – Bournemouth International Centre, Bourne Lounge 

19:45 – 21:00 – Liberal Democrat Friends of Palestine: Rebuilding a Pathway to Peace – Bournemouth International Centre, Meyrick Suite 

Monday 22 September 

Inside the secure zone  

11:30 – 12:30 – Tony Blair Institute for Global Change: Reimagining International Development – Bournemouth International Centre, Bayview Suite 1 

11:30 – 12:30 – Liberty, Greenpeace, Axe Drax: Standing Up for the Planet: Protecting the Right to Environmental Protest – Bournemouth International Centre, Westbourne Suite 

13:00 – 14:00 – Best for Britain: Defending International Liberal Democracy – Bournemouth International Centre, Bayview Suite 1 

13:00 – 14:00 – Safe Routes Coalition: Safe routes at risk: defending compassion for refugees – Bournemouth International Centre, Meyrick Suite 

18:15 – 19:15 – National Oceanography Centre and Marine Conservation Society: How can the UK be a global leader in marine policy & protection? – Highcliff Marriott, Blandford Room 

Labour Party Conference 

Sunday 28 September 

Outside the secure zone – no pass needed 

15:00 – 16:15 – The Fabians, Corporate Justice Coalition, ActionAid UK, Friends of the Earth, The Fairtrade Foundation: Planet, Profits, and People: Who Pays the Price for Corporate Harms. 

Inside the secure zone – pass needed 

15:00 – 16:30 – Christians on the Left, Tearfund, CAFOD, Christian Aid, WorldVision, Islamic Relief UK: Keeping the Faith: getting Britian to believe in international development again – Arena Room Tees 

18:00 – 19:30 – MAG (Mines Advisory Group), HALO Trust, Labour Foreign Policy Group: Tackling Global Conflict: what will it take? – Hilton Hotel, Albert 4 

19:30 – 21:00 – Save the Children Reception – Rooms 3/4/5, Leonardo Hotel 

20:30 – 22:00 – Bond and Labour Campaign for International Development: International Development Rally, with Minister of State Baroness Chapman – ACC Room 12 

Monday 29 September 

Outside the secure zone – no pass needed 

8:30 – 9:30 – Action for Global Health: From Grassroots to Global: Advancing Health Equity Together – The Botanist (Albert Dock) 

10:00 – 11:30 – Malaria No More UK: Malaria & Global Health Science Roundtable – The Botanist (Albert Dock) 

12:00 – 13:00 – Bond and Labour Foreign Policy Group: Power, Purpose, and Perception: How the UK aid cuts could shape global influence panel discussion – The Botanist (Albert Dock) 

13:30 – 15:00 – Malaria No More UK and partners: Global Fund Replenishment – The Botanist (Albert Dock) 

15:30 – 17:00 – Malaria No More, Bond, Labour Campaign for International Development, & Action for Global Health: Global Health Security Drinks Reception – The Botanist (Albert Dock) 

Inside the secure zone – pass needed 

9:00 – 10:15 – UNICEF UK and IPPR: Mobilising Climate Finance – Arena Room D, ACC 

11:30 – 12:30 – MAG (Mines Advisory Group) and Coalition for Global Prosperity: Defence Beyond the Military: How Development Builds Lasting Security – Room tbc, secure zone 

13:00 – 14:00 – Action for Humanity and Caabu: Middle East Question Time – The Hilton, Albert 4 

14:00 – 15:00 – UNICEF UK and Progressive Britain: Future-proofing UK Aid: A Child First Approach to International Development panel discussion – Progressive Britain Hub, secure zone 

17:00 – 18:00 – WaterAid, Labour Campaign for International Development, and SERA: ‘The Oncoming Storm’: Why the Climate Crisis is a Water Crisis panel discussion – SERA Tent inside Secure Zone 

Tuesday 30 September 

Inside the secure zone – pass needed 

9:00 – 10:00 – Save the Children and More in Common: What the Public Thinks: What’s next for UK Aid? panel discussion – MIC Pod Secure Zone 

10:30 – 12:00 – Islamic Relief UK & The Runnymede Trust: Beyond Prejudice: The impacts of structural Islamophobia on Muslim communities panel discussion – Grace Suite 2, Hilton Hotel 

12:00 – 13:30 – Faith in Labour, Tearfund & Islamic Relief: Labour Party’s Faith Reception – Sodexo Space 

Conservative Party Conference 

Sunday 5 October 

Inside the secure zone – pass needed 

18:00 – 19:30 – Bond and Conservative Friends of International Development: International Development Drinks Reception with Shadow Foreign Minister Priti Patel (invited) – Chester Suite, Midland Hotel 

Monday 6 October 

Inside the secure zone – pass needed 

13:00 – 14:00 – Islamic Relief and Coalition for Global Prosperity: Life Under The Taliban: Is Britain Failing Afghanistan’s Women? – Exchange 2-3 at Manchester Central Convention Complex 

Outside the secure zone – pass not needed 

14:30 – 16:00 – Global Health Partnerships (formerly THET) & United Against Malnutrition and Hunger: “From Hunger to Hypertension: Why Tackling Malnutrition is Key to Preventing Non-Communicable Diseases” – Friends’ Meeting House 

Tuesday 7 October 

Inside the secure zone – pass needed 

10:00 – 11:00 – Malaria No More UK, Coalition for Global Prosperity: Beyond charity: A Conservative aid budget for the 2030s – Exchange 2-3 at Manchester Central Convention Complex 

SNP Party Conference 

Saturday 11 October 

17:00 – 18:00 – Oxfam, Scotland’s International Development Alliance, SCIAF: Is Scotland a good global citizen? What should Scotland’s role in an uncertain world be? – Meeting Room 6, Level 1, TECA 

Sunday 12 October 

17:00 – 18:00 – Oxfam, Scottish Environment LINK, Stop Climate Chaos Scotland: Public support for climate action, with Climate Outreach – room tbc