Four lessons from party conferences

08/10/2024

Georgina Carr, CEO

Every autumn, UK political parties hold their annual conferences – gatherings of politicians, party members and affiliated groups. I attended the Labour and Conservative Party conferences, and spoke to policymakers about the importance of involving people affected by neurological conditions in decisions around health, and the need to build a health system that was fit for success in research.

So, what did I take away from this conference season?

1. Now is the moment to speak up

Party conferences attract a wide array of people connected to and interested in the party. This includes organisations like the Neurological Alliance and our members, as we try and gain much needed policy and Parliamentary support for neuro.

The next six months will be critical for policy that has the potential to directly impact the lives of people affected by neurological conditions. The NHS and Department of Health and Social Care are working on a new ten-year plan for the health service in England. Labour have committed to a new ‘national care service’ in social care, wish to deepen support for life sciences, and reform to disability benefits is likely. The Budget in October will set out spending intentions of the new Government, with a Comprehensive Spending Review expected in Spring.

2. Significant reform is on the cards

During Labour party conference, the Secretary of State for Health and Care, Wes Streeting, reiterated Labour’s previous message that the NHS needed to “Reform or die”. The Secretary of State has made it clear that the Government’s focus now is to bring care closer to homes, move to a more digital health service, and to prevent disease. The recent Independent Review of the NHS, conducted by Lord Darzi, argues the NHS is facing rising demand for care as people live longer in ill health, coupled with low productivity in hospitals and poor staff morale. Importantly, he said: “Nothing that I have found draws into question the principles of a health service that is taxpayer-funded, free at the point of use, and based on need not ability to pay.”

What isn’t clear, despite quizzing Ministers during fringe events at Labour conference, are the next steps for key strategies developed (but not finalised) under the previous Conservative Government. The Major Conditions Strategy, which was to set out plans to tackle conditions such as dementia and stroke, has not yet seen the light of day and is currently paused. The Acquired Brain Injury Strategy, campaigned for extensively by the brain injury community is at a critical stage – we, together with the brain injury community, want to ensure this strategy brings about positive change.

3. The Conservative party leadership contest dominated

Like many, we’re watching the leadership contest with interest. Whoever wins, we’ll be looking to meet them and their cabinet team to discuss how they can use their position as the opposition party to help make this Parliament focus on neurological conditions.

We also had the opportunity to hear from Shadow Minister for Care, Dr Caroline Johnson. During her speech, she emphasised that the party will do their part to influence the direction of the forthcoming 10-year plan for the NHS.

More broadly, discussions on health and care at the conference were limited, but did broadly agree with the policy shifts required as set out by Labour (i.e. that policy should support care closer to home, greater use of technology and prevent ill health). Conservative representatives voiced a need for more decisions about health and care to be made locally, bolstered by national standards in key condition areas.

4. We’re stronger together

Now is the time for us to try and campaign even louder and more effectively – with a new Government in post and health, care and research policy at a crossroads, now is the right time to be vying for support.

Party conferences were, to be blunt, chaotic. They normally are, as there many voices and organisations trying to secure awareness and attention for issues that matter to them. There are however many opportunities in the coming year to secure positive change to public policy. Our focus will be on securing changes that will make the most difference for people affected by neurological conditions.

At the same time, difficult economic and financial circumstances continue to dominate. So, scrutinising and speaking out about policies that have the potential to have a disproportionately negative impact on the health and care for people with neurological conditions is critical. We will only be able to address these shared challenges, and capitalise on the opportunities ahead if we work collaboratively.