The Labour Party's Annual Conference wrapped up this week, producing headlines in the world of international trade and beyond.
The Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade's public affairs experts give their opinions on the conference, including on how prime minister Andy Burnham's speech is likely to change the picture for the UK's importers and exporters.
Chris Martin, corporate affairs director
"The UK-EU relationship was high on the agenda at the Labour Conference, with the prime minister calling for a 'clear path' on the long term relationship.
"For business, the priority is clear: reducing barriers, improving customs and regulatory cooperation, and creating greater certainty for those trading with our closest and largest trading partner.
"The UK-EU relationship is entering an important new phase. The opportunity now is to turn political momentum into practical progress for businesses, exporters and the wider UK economy."
Debbie Scott, media and communications lead
"'Hope Again' was the theme of Labour Party Conference 2026, and the mood in Liverpool largely reflected it with a sense that the party had regained its mojo. Yet beneath the optimism, there was broad recognition that the economic and geopolitical challenges facing the government remain largely unchanged.
"As one minister observed, the 'vibes' were good, but the 'fundamentals' were bad, a tension made more apparent by the fact that the Budget is only weeks away whilst persistent inflationary pressures, high interest rates and instability in the Middle East.
"'Business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds sought to reinforce Labour's pro-growth credentials, pointing to Burnham's success in Greater Manchester, while strong applause for re-industrialisation underlined the conference's focus on growth, investment and economic renewal.
"Business leaders, however, remained firmly focused on the upcoming Budget and the prospect of further tax rises."
Grace Thompson, UK public affairs lead
"When Reynolds stood up to deliver his conference speech in his ‘new-old’ role of Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, it was a no-brainer that he would hark back to one of the trade deals he was most personally invested in, India. Alongside this, he also praised the relationship with ‘our largest trading partner, the EU’ but without stealing any of his boss’ thunder on where the EU relationship might go in the future.
"His speech was optimistic, as was the mood across the conference in general. Discussions with industry leaders were still practical and detail-oriented, as reflected during our own private dinner, but there was an air of grace for the new administration to set out their stall.
"All eyes will now turn towards decisions to be made in the Autumn Budget, the 10 year plan for Britain and our long-term relationship with the EU."
Oliver Greensmith, senior public affairs executive
"We learned from our panel on revitalising UK-EU trade at the Labour Party conference fringe that it is importance to understand that a closer relationship with Europe requires significant trade-offs.
"Dynamic regulatory alignment would reduce some border frictions in the short term, especially implementation of an agreement on sanitary and phyto sanitary (SPS), which could help alleviate food cost pressures.
"However, such alignment will also restrict trade with the rest of the world, with a clear shift of preference by UK businesses towards trading with other partners like India, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the US."
