Leeds Policy Institute at the Labour Party Conference

The Leeds Policy Institute was pleased to attend Day 3 of the 2026 Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, an opportunity to engage with current policy debates and hear directly from political leaders and policymakers.

A key highlight was the keynote address by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who outlined his vision for the country, addressing issues including the cost of living, housing, energy, social care and the UK’s future relationship with Europe. The speech provided an opportunity to reflect on the policy choices, economic considerations and implementation challenges involved in addressing some of the UK’s most pressing issues.

The day also offered valuable opportunities to engage with people from across the political and policy landscape. At the evening gala, we had the pleasure of personally meeting Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and discussing the importance of culture and the creative industries in public life.

For LPI, attending events of this kind is an important part of our commitment to evidence-based research, informed policy discussion and constructive engagement with decision-makers. Engaging with different perspectives helps strengthen our understanding of the challenges facing the UK and the policy questions that merit further research.

We are grateful for the opportunity to attend and look forward to continuing our work examining the policies shaping our society and economy.