British Property Federation’s Post

This year the BPF is going to all three main party conferences, kicking off with the LibDems this week. Some reflections on the party from the past few days. 1. They’re certainly chipper, with every right to be after winning 72 seats. They’re not used to having such a presence. More than once I heard stories of people not realising they were talking to MPs as they don’t recognise them - with one MP telling me they don’t even yet all recognise each other! 2. The 2024 intake come from a diverse range of backgrounds - business, professional services, the army, as well as many having had council cabinet roles. They’re also socially and ethnically diverse - not something that could always have been said of the party. This bodes well for the quality of contribution they should be able to make. 3. Being the 3rd party (again) comes with extra funding and they will make use of that to bolster their research and policy support - also meaning scope for stakeholders to link in with specialised researchers and not just overworked parliamentary assistants. 4. This may well apply to the new intake across all parties but the MPs I spoke to all seemed very nice, normal and humble - willing to admit what they didn’t know and keen to learn. These haven’t always been notable characteristics of every politician. 5. There was interest in the BPF and particularly in what our members could offer in terms of housing and town centre regeneration. There’s appetite to direct investment locally but perhaps also some scepticism about the behaviour of some developers in the past in trying to bamboozle planners with dubious viability assessments. All in all the BPF made a couple of new parliamentary friends, and started building what I hope will be productive relationships with a few more MPs. A positive start - now time to catch up with the day job while planning for the biggie next week - Labour in Liverpool!

🌟 The BB Team is Conference-Ready! 🌟 This year, the BB team will be attending the three major party conferences. First stop: Liberal Democrats in Brighton this weekend, followed by Labour in Liverpool, and concluding with the Conservative Party in Birmingham. What can we expect from this year's political calendar? Here are our key takeaways: 1️⃣ Lib Dems in Brighton – This will be the largest Lib Dem conference in recent history, with the highest number of Lib Dems MPs attending. They’re in a strong position, having secured spots on several high-profile select committees, including Health and Social Care—a pivotal area for influencing Labour’s agenda. 2️⃣ Labour in Liverpool – After a few tough weeks, Labour will be seeking a communications win. Expect bold and (hopefully) inspirational announcements as they aim to reset the tone and inject some hope, especially ahead of what will be a gloomy Autumn fiscal event. 3️⃣ Conservatives in Birmingham – All eyes are on the the leadership contest, so expect this conference to be internally-facing, as the party focuses on defining its future direction. Are you attending? Let us know in the comments or drop us an email on hello@bbpartners.co.uk 👋

✍️Our Chief Executive, Meadhbha, is the guest writer for Pivotal Public Policy Forum NI this week. Click the link below to read her blog titled: 'Embracing the public as assets – the need for a strategic approach to public participation.' 👇 Pivotal Public Policy Forum

🚨 🌹 The BB team has arrived in Liverpool for the Labour party’s first conference as the party of government in 15 years, with over 20,000 attendees—policymakers, ministers, and campaigners—eager to shape the agenda. After a tough few weeks in the headlines, Labour is determined to shift the conversation. Expect to hear the message: “More achieved in 11 weeks than the Conservatives managed in 11 years.” Here are five key themes shaping the conference: 🔑 **Change Begins Now** The main theme of this year’s conference is change in action. Through Labour’s 5 national missions, ministers will highlight progress already underway—stabilizing the economy, launching a new border command, setting up GB Energy, and delivering decent homes. 🔨 **Fixing the Foundations** Labour’s message is that although Britain isn’t working, it can be fixed. The party argues the previous government drained hope from the country, but Labour will restore it by addressing core issues—from revitalizing the NHS to making Britain’s streets safer. 💼 **Tough Choices** Labour’s first months in government have been shaped by difficult decisions ahead of the upcoming Budget. With taxes at a 70-year high and national debt soaring, the conference will focus on making the tough choices needed to rebuild the economy after inheriting a £22bn deficit from the Conservatives. 🎯 **Mission-Driven Government** The core thesis of Labour’s approach to government is the creation of Five Missions, but what does it mean to govern with missions at the heart? Expect clarity on how new Mission Delivery Boards will prioritize key policy areas and streamline government for real impact. 📢 **Cutting Through the Noise** For campaigners, the challenge is clear: How do you stand out in such a dynamic environment? This conference is a prime opportunity to connect, engage, and make your voice heard. See you on the docks! 🌹

🎉 Happy 84th birthday to John W. Kingdon 🎂, a pioneer who transformed how we understand public policy making.   Kingdon’s groundbreaking book, Agendas, Alternatives, and Public Policies, laid the foundation for the Multiple Streams Framework (MSF)—a tool to decode complex policy processes by examining the convergence of problems, policies, and politics that drive change.   Why is this so impactful for today’s policy professionals? Here are three ways (of many):   🍰 Simplifies Complexity: MSF breaks down intricate policy environments into three actionable streams, making it easier to identify windows of opportunity.   🍰 Fosters Strategic Thinking: By mapping issues within these streams, we can better anticipate roadblocks and align policy solutions effectively.   🍰 Bridges Theory and Practice: Kingdon’s framework offers actionable insights that make the “theoretical” directly applicable to real-world policy challenges.    📢 Join us to celebrate Kingdon’s legacy! On Nov. 1, 2024, the MSFMSA Virtual Research Community is hosting a free webinar on the latest MSF developments. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with the MSF's leading scholars and practitioners! 👉 For times and registration, see: https://lnkd.in/e6xr6jus

A good summary from Owen and a really good discussion to listen into. One of the key points is the difference between long-term reforms and 'quick wins' for the next Parliament. It will take 5-10 years at least to really shift the diversity of housebuilders, get new towns off the ground (or is it 'on ground'?), and get local authorities and development corporations into the kind of proactive mode Tom Archer discusses. I think these are key components of an effective long-term strategy, but they aren't quick. What can happen more quickly, using existing policies and legislation? One idea from me... Amend the 'community led exception site' to remove the size cap and permit them within as well as adjacent to settlements; really promote them to LPAs; and invest a relatively small sum (circa £100m over the Parliament) in our long-term growth strategy to develop the market infrastructure to bring forward many more such schemes. Within 5 years this could result in a significant uptick in provably-popular supply from diversified sources. Another would be to follow the GLA's programme to boost council housebuilding and acquisition of existing homes. It will take more than 5 years to get anywhere near the capacity of the 1970s, but many councils can mobilise to increase activity given the kind of support the GLA has given London boroughs.

Less than a month to go Huge shout out to AACBT(Ltd) for inviting me. Come and hear me and some of the incredible keynotes bring you right up to date with the latest research. I’ll be presenting on why CPD is pointless and non-evidence based. But more importanly the talk will be on deliberate practice and will align with the new training standards for psychologists. I’ll also be working at the booth representing our three linked ventures. -Find a Supervisor -STAP Supervisor Training -PREP registrar training Hoping to catch up with old friends as well as make some new ones. Final note for students and early career folk - we have all been there going to your first conference and not knowing anyone. It can be super intimidating saying hello to someone whose work you have read or know through reputation. But the keynotes are all thrrr to connect as well, and are just as passionate about psychology as you are. Say hi, introduce yourself and have a chat.

WAIMH is open for bids for the 20th World Congress in 2028. It has been our experience that the hosting of a World Congress can have a stimulating, boosting effect for the local Affiliate, the benefits of which are felt for a long time thereafter. Read more about what the Board of Directors expects from a bid: https://lnkd.in/eiYr74uD #WAIMH #IMH #WorldInWAIMH

Have any public engagement plans this semester? Check out how Scholars Strategy Network can support you!