Luther Pendragon

Hamish Venters reflects on the US presidential election and what it might mean for Keir Starmer.

‘Electrifying debates’, Luther Pendragon’s latest AI-powered analysis of sustainability thought leadership, finds that after an explosion of interest there is a need to reenergise the discussion around sustainability.   The Olympics and London Fashion Week both showed that set-piece events can help thought leaders cut through, so COP29 presents an opportunity to engage the media at a time when the eyes of the world will be focused on sustainability issues.   Read our full report for more opportunities to reengage with sustainability: https://lnkd.in/gHCf7Mv8   #Sustainability #COP29 #ThoughtLeadership

We are hosting a deep dive webinar into the results of the 2025 US Presidential Election, on Thursday 21 November at 1pm GMT, online and in-person. The session will be led by Erik Olson President of Luther’s Washington DC partner, Venn Strategies. For those who wish to attend in person, we will be hosting a watch party at Luther’s offices, complete with American snacks and drinks. Email events@luther.co.uk to secure your place.

As former players come forward with claims of sexual misconduct at Fulham Football Club, Senior Consultant Jonathan Girling looks at the wider implications for the sport and the need for robust safeguarding processes to be implemented and communicated effectively to create a lasting legacy. #safeguarding #sports

We’re delighted to announce three significant promotions at Luther. Tabitha Adams has been promoted to Associate Director and Callum Nimmo and Ben McCarthy have both been promoted to Senior Consultant. The promotions reflect their hard work and dedication to delivering exceptional services for Luther’s clients, across a broad range of sectors including health, charities, financial and professional services and regulation. Congratulations team! 

The first Labour Government in 14 years entered power 100 days ago. It feels like a lifetime ago, but we’re still in its infancy. Despite moving quickly on the legislative agenda and gaining plaudits for their handling of far-right riots over the summer, Labour’s poll ratings have plummeted. It’s perhaps been the shortest honeymoon period ever for a new Government. However, this was all foreseen. When we welcomed Sir John Curtice to Luther’s offices back in March, he pointed to Labour’s astronomical poll lead being fuelled by discontent with the Conservatives, rather than any great enthusiasm for Labour. This, he said, would lead to a short honeymoon. Just how short has been expedited by a series of blunders around donations and infighting within Number 10. While the Government has at least four years to recover its momentum, it’s been a shaky start to say the least. But what comes next? For starters, the Budget on 30 October will be one of the defining moments. Poised to make ‘tough decisions,’ the depth of public service cuts, or who tax rises fall upon, will set the tone for the remainder of the Parliament. Then, Labour’s series of reviews are set to conclude in early-to-mid 2025, including in the vital areas of health, defence, and the ‘landmark’ pensions review. Not to mention, the 3-year comprehensive spending review will conclude by Spring 2025, setting all-important departmental spending limits and the strategy going forward. This could be how the Government redefines itself out the ‘doom and gloom’ rhetoric it has become associated with since taking office. If this Government truly is embarking on a ‘decade of national renewal’ we’re about to enter a crucial window which will set the framework for policy for many years to come.

As delegates pour onto trains back to Westminster, the mood from #CPC24 is an interesting one. If you didn't know the outcome of the 2024 General Election, from walking the halls of the ICC you'd be surprised to know the Conservatives lost, and lost as significantly as they did. That is, of course, were you not to notice the lanyards, t-shirts and caps emblazoned with the names of leadership candidates.    It was as though the Conservatives have been freed from the straightjacket of government, with shadow secretaries of state, ministers and the few new intake MPs empowered to speak their minds about where the Party went wrong and being honest about what they couldn't achieve in their time in government. That being said, there was a sense of denial in some quarters about the defeat and how quickly the Party will be back in government, and little about how they will face up to the challenges ahead and navigate what could be a number of years in opposition.    Arriving at conference on Sunday, it appeared as though #Badenoch was in prime position to win the Tory leadership contest, a position that's been dented somewhat following the response to her comments on #MaternityPay. #Tugendhat's team appear to have the slickest operation, curating photo-ops throughout the venue complex. Fresh from the candidates speed dating the Lobby over the course of the week, all attentions will be on their speeches to the audience hall this afternoon, which will be the true judge of how they are faring with the party membership. Despite the 'yellow card' system imposed by the chairman of the 1922 Committee, it's clear the candidates are starting to tear into one another, so expect an increasingly nasty tone as the fight continues.    Adam Thomas and William Gray will be posting more readouts over the rest of the week, so keep your eyes peeled on their feeds. 

With #LabourPartyConference now over for another year, attentions have moved towards next week in Birmingham, where #ConservativePartyConference will take place. The first question on everyone’s lips will be whether the current storms, which blighted delegates this week in Liverpool, will continue into next week. Beyond that, here’s what we’ll be keeping a close eye on: 👀 All attentions are on the Conservative Leadership Election. Merch will be flying off the shelves as candidates are desperate to show MPs (many of which have not declared) who has the biggest membership backing and everyone (us included) will be counting the length of queues at fringe events to see certain candidates, as an indication of where support is going. 🗳️ On the candidates specifically, the way the votes are going, the pressure is really on Kemi Badenoch. If she’s going to make it to the final two, her speech on Wednesday has to be a barnstormer. She has the prime position of going last, so gets the final word and has to ensure that MPs simply do not dare to remove her from the contest. ❓ What policy themes the Conservatives will be staking their future success on. We know the #LiberalDemocrats are focusing on #health and #rural affairs, but will the Conservatives double down on their efforts over the summer and focus on #migration, or renew their messaging on #NetZero, its cost and impact on consumers? 🗣️ Interim Conservative Party Chair Richard Fuller is bringing back member debates for the first time in two decades. Will there be similarities between what the leadership candidates are speaking to and what the membership are thinking? 🆕 We’re particularly interested in getting a glimpse at both the new intake MPs, and those keen to position themselves as shadow cabinet material. How will they go about Conference? Will they keep a low profile and not upset the apple cart, or be front-footed in fringes? We’ll see. Adam Thomas and William Gray will be heading to the Midlands to support clients and provide updates for the team. Follow our LinkedIn channel for their latest insights. Heading to conference? Let’s have a chat! Email publicaffairs@luther.co.uk to arrange a coffee (or tea) with one of our team.

Mission control – the UK space sector could play an important role in helping the Government achieve its primary goals.   Despite being dwarfed by its US and Chinese equivalents, the burgeoning sector has a key part to play in economic growth, with the UK leading the charge in small satellites and, potentially, via in-orbit servicing and manufacturing. Perhaps less well-known is that the UK is at the forefront of efforts to support clean power through its space solar initiatives. The industry is also bringing about crucial innovations in speedy and secure data transfer which could help NHS renewal by enabling more remote medical treatment.   However, to ensure the UK space sector continues to grow, panelists at several fringe events urged the Government to simplify the space decision-making ecosystem.   Critically, this includes the MoD and DSIT working more closely together, ensuring both national security and increased commercial opportunities. This could be partly achieved by putting space at the heart of the Government’s new Industrial Strategy, expected soon after the Budget, and by simplifying procurement. MoD ministers have also confirmed this week that space will play an important role in the Strategic Defence Review, whose work is ongoing.    With 86 space faring nations, there is a growing need for the UK to work with other countries to police developments and ensure a ‘safe space’. There is a very real fear that, without active management and regulation, privateers, including eccentric billionaires, could soon colonise space putting many Government missions under threat.  

As pathetic fallacies go, you could read a lot into the sunshine finally making an appearance at Labour Conference today. After a sodden two days in Liverpool, today Keir Starmer delivered his first leader’s speech as Prime Minister and the first of a Labour Prime Minister in 15 years. But the jubilant conference hall atmosphere was somewhat tempered by Starmer’s speech, which was one of customary caution, sobriety, and humility at the scale of the challenge facing the Government.   Though notably more personal than previous speeches, with moving tributes to his brother and sister, this was classic Starmer: A focus on values, decency, renewal and, of course, the Five Missions. Set against a backdrop of plummeting polls and negative media coverage, there were attempts to pepper the speech with optimism, with a promise of “light at the end of the tunnel” – but still little indication of how we’ll get there.   Former Tony Blair speechwriter Phil Collins suggested in a fringe event this afternoon that Starmer’s naturally melancholic intonation sometimes betrays him. Collins said this makes his gloom and doom speeches sound even more foreboding. Starmer may see that as a good thing – he has built a brand as the no-nonsense pragmatist that will get stuff done. But a little more optimism, especially considering the scale of victory he has just overseen, might not go amiss. #LabourParty #LabourPartyConference #publicaffairs