This page will be updated regularly throughout the conference season with the latest information and confirmed speakers. 

Labour Conference, 27 – 30 September

Our programme of fringe events:

The civic high street: A symbol of a British renaissance

Sunday 27 September, 1- 2 pm, Arena Room Sherwood  

A thriving high street is more than a place to shop. It’s where people meet, live, access services they need, and use businesses they care about. If our high streets are to be the symbol of a British renaissance, we need to pull together to fundamentally change their offer to communities.  

This panel discussion asks what policies, partnerships, investment and support are needed to bring about a mixed-use, civic model where high streets are reimagined as places for local services, heritage and culture, community and housing.  

Panel:  

• Jess Craig, Policy Manager, Power to Change (Chair) 
• Chris Curtis, MP for Milton Keynes North
• Leigh Ingham, MP for Stafford
• Bev Craig, Mayor of Greater Manchester (invited) 
• Laura Onita, retail correspondent at the Financial Times
• Jo Cooper, CEO Back on the Map, Sunderland
•  

What’s next for communities policy?   

Sunday 27 September, 4-5 pm, Arena Room Aire  

The Community Right to Buy showed what is possible when community organisations, campaigners and policymakers pull in the same direction to give people more power over the places where they live. Join Power to Change and the Co-operative Party for a timely discussion on the next big policy ambition for the community power movement. 

Panel:  

• Jo Platt MP, Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Prime Minister (Chair) 
• Florence Eshalomi, Minister for Communities
• Nick Plumb, Director of Policy and Insight, Power to Change  
• Fin Irwin, Founder and Co-Director intoBodmin  
•  

Power & Place: Where now for community power 

Monday 28 September, 6pm, ACC, Arena Room Derwent

Refreshments provided  

Ros Wynne-Jones, the Mirror’s Real Britain columnist, hosts a conversation between:  

• Angela Rayner, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (invited) and;  
• Place leader Liam Kelly, CEO of Make CIC and Pride in Place Board Chair in nearby Central Birkenhead.   

Bridging perspectives from the centre of government and the heart of a community driving change on the ground, this event explores what the next chapter of devolution looks like and how the government can fulfil its commitment to restore pride in place.   

Liberal Democrat Conference 19-22 September 2026  

If you’re attending the Liberal Democrat Party conference in Brighton this year and want to connect, please contact lucy.symington@powertochange.org.uk. 

Green Party Conference 2–4 October 2026 

If you’re attending the Green Party conference in Brighton this year and want to connect, please contact ellie.radcliffe@powertochange.org.uk.