We recently hosted our annual The Year Ahead in Politics event, a webinar designed to help understand – and navigate – the UK political landscape facing us.
This year, our panel discussion brought together leading voices from across the public sector to analyse Labour’s first six months in government and explore the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for organisations seeking to engage with policymakers in 2025.
Our host, Janie Emmerson, Global Public Affairs Lead at Hanson Search, who was joined by Anita Boateng, Senior Partner at Portland; Luke Francis, Associate Partner at Pagefield; and Jim Bligh, Director of Corporate Affairs and Packaging at The Food and Drink Federation.
Explore the key talking points below:
The transition from opposition to government has proven more complex than many anticipated. As Anita Boateng observed, Labour has discovered just how easy it is for a government to appear incompetent, highlighting the steep learning curve facing any new administration. This transition period has revealed a fundamental truth: governing is about choices and limitations rather than possibilities.
The initial months have seen a marked evolution in Labour’s approach. Moving away from broad promises, the government has begun to focus on deliverable tasks and practical governance. This shift presents a crucial opportunity for public affairs professionals who can bring concrete, implementable solutions to the table.
The government’s relationship with business has entered a new phase. The pre-election charm offensive has given way to a more nuanced dialogue, particularly following the controversial National Insurance increases announced in the budget. However, this reset might actually benefit organisations ready to engage meaningfully with policy development.
As Jim Bligh noted, “The critical thing to improve that situation is getting economic growth.” This openness to input creates a unique opportunity for public affairs professionals who can:
Britain’s international stance remains in flux, with crucial decisions needed about relationships with the US, Europe, and China. Organisations need to consider how these evolving relationships might impact their sector and prepare accordingly. The bandwidth challenge is real – as noted during the discussion, we often underestimate how much the Prime Minister’s time is a precious commodity.
The government’s focus on regional development and innovation clusters presents significant opportunities for organisations across the country. The challenge lies in balancing support between established corporations and SMEs whilst ensuring benefits extend beyond major urban centres.
This focus on regional growth isn’t just about economic development – it’s intrinsically linked to Labour’s political future. With many seats won on slim majorities, delivering tangible economic benefits to these areas is crucial for the government’s long-term success.
For public affairs professionals and organisational leaders, several key principles emerge for effective engagement:
When approaching government stakeholders, bring fully developed solutions rather than just highlighting problems. As Luke Francis emphasised during the panel, successful engagement means “taking things off their plate, being positive, bringing solutions, not constantly knocking the door down saying, I found another problem over here that I need you to solve.”
Understand and align with the government’s core missions while demonstrating how your proposals contribute to broader policy objectives. This is particularly crucial given the limited bandwidth within departments.
Provide detailed, implementable proposals that consider both political and practical constraints. As our panellists agreed, taking the initiative to draft potential regulations and remove hurdles for policymakers can significantly increase the likelihood of successful engagement.
The UK political landscape in 2025
The upcoming local elections will provide the first major test of Labour’s governance approach. Organisations should watch these results carefully, as they may influence policy priorities and engagement strategies in the latter half of the year.
For public affairs professionals and organisational leaders, success in this environment requires a delicate balance between pragmatism and ambition. Understanding the government’s constraints while bringing forward bold, practical solutions will be key to effective engagement in this new political landscape.
The government’s focus on growth provides a clear framework for engagement, but organisations must be prepared to demonstrate how their proposals contribute to this agenda while addressing regional and social inequalities. Those who can navigate these requirements while bringing forward practical, implementable solutions will find themselves well-positioned to influence policy development in this crucial period.
To discuss any of the points raised during our panel, or to talk about your own Public Affairs strategy in the face of the UK political landscape, get in touch with Janie Emmerson directly.
If you’d like to contact us, please press the button to the right to reveal our contact form.
+44 207 632 1410