It was fascinating attending the Labour conference in Liverpool this week. We need to acknowledge the significance of this conference; this was Labour’s first gathering in power after 14 years. Despite the torrential rain, there was a strong sense of (cautious) optimism emanating from all the events.
I have long stated that this could be the most consequential government of my lifetime, given the resounding size of the majority.
Since the 4th of July General Election, the political landscape has completely changed. The new Labour government has made major in-roads, especially in the East of England.
Previously a Conservative heartland, Labour now hold 27 seats compared to 22 Conservative seats.
This sets the backdrop for our Eastern Powerhouse event at Labour Party Conference in which we had an incredibly insightful line up of speakers:
- Ben Goldsborough MP – South Norfolk
- Cllr Jeremy Newmark – Leader, Hertsmere Borough Council
- Dr Peter Prinsley MP – Bury St Edmunds & Stowmarket
- Amanda Washbrook – Deputy Principal, West Herts College
The focus of the session was Labour’s growth agenda, and how this can positively impact the East. The region presents massive opportunities for long-term and short-term economic growth, but we need to make sure the Government is paying attention to a previously overlooked part of the country.
Our event had tangible energy in the room, to which I would like to share my main reflections:
Growth
The importance of a growth agenda was emphasised constantly during the conference, but particularly in the context of kickstarting confidence in the economy. Infrastructure development is crucial for sustainable growth, with planning and housing being central topics.
We have long argued that investing in growth in the East could provide necessary quick wins for a new government, and a sizeable return for UK PLC. This will need a clear strategy, at the local, regional, and national level.
As Ben Goldsborough, the MP for South Norfolk, said: “Infrastructure; water, power stations; railways and major roads; reservoirs; airports; offshore wind farms and sewage-treatment works; these are the things that we need to be looking at when we’re unlocking the potential of growth, especially in the east of England.”
Transport challenges
Dr Peter Prinsley, the new Labour MP for Bury St. Edmunds and Stowmarket, stressed the interconnected nature of policy in the East and the key role of transport in healthy and prosperous communities.
“Connectivity can unlock the East. We have an incredibly poor transportation system; we don’t have any motorways in a whole bit of England.”
Data suggests we are one of the most productive economies in the United Kingdom, but it we have one of the poorest transport networks. It is time to be ambitious for the region. The East deserves a high quality, modern transport network.
The region is recognised as a leader in science, technology and green energy leader and its transport system should reflect that. Our airports and railway stations should be modern gateways into the region.
The entire room offered full support for enhancements to the East’s railway network, being urgently required to improve rail travel and boost productivity.
Collaboration across regions & local growth Initiatives
We have long advocated for a polycentric approach to growth, as we believe this will provide the spatial framework for the development of housing, transport, and employment sites. The panel discussed how this approach can help accelerate and distribute the benefits of growth more equitably across the entire region.
A regional perspective is required to realise this, but this cannot be achieved without the support of national government. The challenge will be to provide development that can work with the particular spatial and institutional geography of the East, to maximise the region’s economic footprint. Unlike most other English regions, the East is without a large urban centre.
Rather, the pattern of urban development is characterised by a number of small and mid-sized cities and towns. Many of these are growing faster than larger cities elsewhere in England. Improving connectivity and proximity between Norwich, Peterborough, Cambridge, and Ipswich, as well as outlying coastal towns and villages, will provide a multi-polar model for growth that works for our region.
Cambridge is a centre of light for the region and often takes centre stage economically.
However, other areas in the region are substantial economic contributors and worth to be recognised as such. We all agreed on fostering collaboration among different regions within East Anglia rather than competing against each other or relying solely on one city’s success.
Cllr Jeremy Newmark, Leader, Hertsmere Borough Council, addressed barriers to growth within local authorities and emphasised collaboration between districts and counties.
He pointed out that regions need tailored approaches rather than one-size-fits-all solutions from Westminster.
“Regions, in my view, and particularly the east, are the places where the big picture issues get joined up and solved.”
Skills Development & Career Pathways
Skill levels vary across the East, and this has become a big challenge for most employers in the region. For decades, the East of England has suffered from chronic underinvestment in compulsory education.
The region has had the lowest spending per pupil in England, much less than inner London, and way behind regions in the North of England.
The fragmented transport system is also a problem, with students often having to make long and difficult journeys to get to school or college, or for apprentices to travel to work.
Reversing the cycle of educational underperformance will address inequalities and improve life outcomes for the East, helping to drive a new economy and allowing for greater access to the opportunities arising from future growth
Amanda Washbrook, Deputy Principal, West Herts College, emphasised the need for creating partnerships between educational institutions and businesses to ensure skills training meets market demands.
Amanda spoke about the importance of training to be aligned with local industry needs, and to apply innovative ways of collaborations to be successful.
‘A work renaissance’
Finally, if anyone was in the room, it was a real pleasure hearing from Dr Peter Prinsley MP, ENT surgeon from Norfolk, reframing the conversation about getting the recently retired back into the workforce. ‘A work Renaissance’, as he coined it, is such a positive way of rephrasing and addressing a critical challenge for the government
In general, I left Liverpool with optimism, as there was a clear call-to-action from Regional MP’s: we must work collectively across all sectors – public, private, educational – to realize our vision for economic growth in the East of England.
This is exactly what the EPH has called for – Generational thinking, not short-term political thinking.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Steven Lynch is executive director of The Eastern Powerhouse (EPH), an independent, business-led, membership body that represents the entire East of England.
Its goal is to drive economic growth, investment in skills, innovation, and transport to enhance productivity across the region.
By collaborating with the private sector, universities, colleges, local authorities, and political parties, the EPH aims to serve as the unified voice of business leadership in the East of England.
Its core mission is to maximise the region’s assets and unlock growth opportunities for investment, achieving local, national, and global impact.
