Advertising heads to the Labour Party Conference

The Labour Party Conference heard how the advertising industry can play a vital role in growing a sustainable economic future for the UK’s communities, as part of the AA’s tour of party conferences this autumn.

We spoke at a packed reception at James Street Hotel in Liverpool on Sunday 25 September, attended by MPs, party members and industry guests. Hosted by Labour network Progressive Britain, themes people were discussing included the economy, the green agenda and building stronger communities.

Our Public Affairs Director Sue Eustace spoke of these values in her speech: setting out how the advertising industry is a global success story, with a healthy balance of exports, bringing jobs and opportunities to people throughout the UK.

She pointed to the industry’s Ad Net Zero Action Plan and its target to decarbonise the advertising industry’s operations by 2030 as world-leading. This comes as the Labour Party recently outlined its new ‘greener future’ plan, aiming to deliver clean power for the UK by 2030.

She talked about how our industry fuels jobs and economic growth while calling on political leaders to ensure the British population has the skills and opportunities to make progress, which is good for everyone in our society.

There were speeches from outgoing Progressive Britain (Progress) Chair Alison McGovern MP, Shadow Minister for Employment, who welcomed incoming chair Pat McFadden MP, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

Economic growth comes from all of us, McFadden told the room, as he praised the contributions of everyone who turns up to work every day to drive our nation.

A perspective from across the pond was also offered by co-sponsor Will Marshall, President of the Progressive Policy Institute, which supports policy innovation for America’s Democratic Party.

MPs present included Shadow Skills Minister, Toby Perkins, Shadow Equalities Minister, Taiwo Owatemi, and Kim Leadbeater MP.  We were pleased to see various AA members there, with colleagues from Channel 4, the NMA and ISBA.

We will next head to Birmingham to showcase the work of our UK Advertising Exports Group at the Conservative Party Conference on 4 October.

If you would like to know more about our policy work on behalf of the advertising industry, please get in touch with publicaffairs@adassoc.org.uk.