Budget build-up: Why Labour is on a collision course with voters on tax
If you thought the first hundred days of this government were difficult, hang on to your hats. Because it looks like the political waters it is about to sail into might be even choppier than the storms they have faced so far. That is the message from polling carried out by the Portland research team […]
Triumph and teething troubles – a view from Labour Conference
The mood in a wet Liverpool is a mixture of excitement and anxiety, a bit like the first term at a new school. For staffers who have been plunged straight into government – and for those left out – it’s the first big reunion since the election. New ministers and special advisers are comparing notes […]
Triumph and teething troubles – a view from Labour Conference
The mood in a wet Liverpool is a mixture of excitement and anxiety, a bit like the first term at a new school. For staffers who have been plunged straight into government – and for those left out – it’s the first big reunion since the election. New ministers and special advisers are comparing notes […]
This conference, it’s all eyes on Rachel
When Labour gathered last year in Liverpool, the big question was ‘is he up to it?’. With an election due at some point in the following months, Sir Keir Starmer was riding high in the polls, but the sense of anticipation of delegates was dotted with nervousness – there were missteps in his response to […]
Election 2024 – Labour’s new cohort
The declarations are in and amongst Labour’s 412 confirmed MPs, 243 were not previously members of parliament when Rishi Sunak called the election. This 2024 cohort is likely to play a big role in the years to come – some have previous experience at the highest level of government, others are young and very new […]
The (non-existent) upcoming frontbenchers Fiona Wilson and Henry Thorpe
Research we have conducted over the last few months has convinced us of a couple things. Firstly, Labour is levelling out their share of vote around the mid-40s mark, the Tories are shedding votes, and Reform is slowly solidifying a strategically significant third-party position. Secondly, political apathy is most certainly real, and widespread in the […]
The National Policy Forum Report: A Labour of Love?
Following months of consultation and internal battles, the Labour Party will set out its most significant policy vision for Government in its National Policy Forum report at their party conference next week. Very few not directly involved with the Party understand the significance of the document and fewer know what its final report will mean […]
The importance of apathy – an analysis of the current political climate
LYDIA BUCKROYD & JUDE RYAN-GRAY You would be forgiven for thinking that the words ‘UK General Election’ and ‘Labour majority’ mean the same thing at the moment. The Labour Party is predicted to make huge seat gains, overcoming a Conservative party that the public have lost faith in after 13 years of power. But while […]
Labour and the Future of UK-China Relations
Just a few months ago, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly argued that it’s “impossible, impractical and unwise” to define the UK’s policy on China through punchy catchphrases. His Labour counterpart, Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy, unsurprisingly responded by promising to audit the UK-China relationship based on three Cs: “challenge, compete and cooperate”. In spite of all […]
Portland and Ketchum partner to launch Beyond the Ballot to support clients to navigate the impact of the historic triple elections in the UK, EU and US
We are very pleased to share that Portland and Ketchum are today announcing a new joint division in London to help our clients navigate the impact of the 2024 historic triple elections in the EU, US and in all likelihood, the UK. A market-leading, first-of-its-kind offering, Beyond the Ballot combines the on the ground political expertise […]