Comment: Industry gears up for new political era

Keir Starmer’s speech in the Rose Garden of Downing Street this week will have been a de facto starting pistol for industry lobbyists keen to establish positive relationships with the Labour government.

With the core summer holiday season drawing to a close and Whitehall and Westminster returning in force, spokespeople for every industry will be fighting in earnest for recognition. The tough task facing our own representatives will be getting cut?through for a sector which is clearly not going to be a major priority for the new administration.

One of the first areas of focus will be October’s Budget, and the potential direct and indirect impact of the tax hikes and spending cuts expected within it.

But lobbyists will also be keeping a close eye on the political party conferences over the coming month to get a handle on the prevailing mood and opportunities to engage. These party conferences coincide with the start of travel’s own autumn conference season, with Abta’s Travel Convention taking place just three weeks before that crucial first Budget, and industry associations representing the corporate and inbound sectors also hosting forums in the coming months.

At Travel Weekly, we are busy preparing for our own flagship Future of Travel Conference, which takes place at the culmination of the Labour Party Conference on September 25.

We have an array of incredible speakers lined up, including The Sunday Times’ chief political commentator Tim Shipman, and it will be fascinating to get his and others’ takes on the industry’s standing as we enter a new era in politics.