In early October, Cleantech for UK attended the Labour Party Conference, where the tone shifted from early uncertainty to renewed confidence following the Prime Minister’s well-received speech. Against a backdrop of economic strain and political volatility, the conference marked a turning point for Labour, focused on national renewal, opportunity and delivery.
A clear theme emerging from the discussions was the need to restore public trust while driving growth. Labour’s leadership framed this as a moment to rebuild Britain through security, opportunity and fairness. For the cleantech community, several policy strands carried direct relevance.
Infrastructure and energy reform – MPs at the Energy and Infrastructure Business Breakfast highlighted the need for clearer communication about the benefits of new energy infrastructure. Despite long-held assumptions, polling shows strong public support for pylons and grid upgrades, but local trust depends on visible community benefits. There was broad recognition that constraint payments and grid inefficiencies must be tackled, and that batteries and demand-side flexibility can play a larger role in lowering costs.
Investment and growth – Across sessions such as Investment for Growth and Financing Good Growth, Labour figures including Chris Curtis MP set out a pragmatic approach to unlocking private capital through planning reform and public-private partnerships. There was widespread acknowledgement that the National Wealth Fund must now deepen its engagement with pension funds and that Britain needs a healthier relationship with risk if it is to scale innovation domestically. GB Energy was frequently cited as a key partner in accelerating investment in clean power generation and supporting national infrastructure delivery alongside the National Wealth Fund.
Energy affordability and social equity – MPs discussed the need for fairer energy pricing, with some calling for a social tariff to protect vulnerable households. Others argued that structural reform, rather than subsidies, is the long-term answer. Lowering energy costs was consistently framed as essential to economic credibility and international climate leadership.
Climate and international leadership – At the Climate Leadership in an Uncertain World session, Emily Thornberry MP reaffirmed the UK’s climate leadership while warning that credibility depends on delivery. The conversation linked diplomacy, conservation and trade, highlighting opportunities for the UK to project influence even amid shifting global alliances.
The wider conference mood was pragmatic and disciplined. Labour emerged more unified and focused on delivery, with a renewed emphasis on skills, apprenticeships and pride in Britain. The leadership’s stronger stance against Reform UK reflected a party now more confident in confronting populism through practical results rather than rhetoric.
For Cleantech for UK, the conference reinforced that Labour’s path to growth runs through infrastructure, investment and partnership. With GB Energy and the National Wealth Fund now entering a crucial phase of delivery, there is clear scope for engagement to ensure the clean technology sector is positioned at the heart of the UK’s economic renewal.
