flag-waving, fear of Reform and a fading green consensus – Inside track

This year’s party conference season had two unmistakable constants: the apparent need for some rather excessive flag waving, and a shared anxiety about Reform UK’s rising polling numbers, accompanied by largely unanswered questions about what on earth to do about it.

Labour, surprisingly, buzzed
For Labour, expectations going into the conference were low after a difficult first year in government. But, somewhat against the odds, the conference buzzed with energy, thanks in large part to Keir Starmer’s strong early attack on Reform’s immigration policies. This gave ministers permission to go hard on anti-Reform rhetoric, injecting much-needed fire into proceedings. As has often been the case in recent years, Ed Miliband emerged as a standout figure, using bold language not just to rally support for climate action, but denouncing trickle-down economics and challenging billionaire interference in politics.

While it did feel as though the idea of mission driven government has quietly faded and been replaced by a single mission that dominates every discussion – economic growth – it was positive to hear recommitment from various Labour spokespeople to the broader necessity to decarbonise our electricity grid, the need to move towards a more circular economy and even a possible change in rhetoric away from “builders vs blockers” towards the idea of a ‘win-win’ for both housing and nature. That being said, I know there will still be concerns from many about the ongoing desire from the government, centred in the Treasury, to overhaul the planning system, with significant implications for environmental protection.

Was Kemi Badenoch listening to Michael Heseltine?
The Conservative conference, by something of a contrast, felt flat and largely without political drama. Many in the party, as well as outsider attendees, seem to be watching and waiting to see where Kemi Badenoch’s leadership might go between now and the Scottish, Welsh and local elections next year, recognised as a real test for all major political parties. There was a noticeable sense of drift amongst attendees, if not the leadership, with outsiders feeling as though the party has increasingly lost its direction, unsure whether to double down on populism, return to traditional conservatism or reinvent entirely.

It is clear that, for now, the leadership of the party continues to follow in Reform’s footsteps, particularly in its use of a strong anti-net zero narrative. Kemi Badenoch kicked off the conference announcing plans to scrap the 2008 Climate Change Act altogether, while also attempting to create dividing lines between climate action and nature protection. To be clear, this is a false binary: the biggest threat to nature is climate change.

Any hope of a revival in the cross-party consensus on climate action seemed to be pinned entirely on Michael Hesseltine, who spoke at a fringe meeting of the “unforgivable irresponsibility to undo all that Conservatives have done to play a leading role in this world-threatening crisis”. I, for one, hope Kemi Badenoch was listening.

LibDem MPs were happy to chat
In contrast, it would be remiss not to touch on the Lib Dem conference. Granted, it was a much smaller and lower key affair, but the vibe could not have been more different to the two major parties’ conferences. MPs paraded around the conference centre happy to stop and chat to members, journalists and lobbyists, still seemingly riding high on the record number of MPs they have in Westminster.

A dedicated Climate and Nature Day brought good energy, lively discussion and genuine MP engagement, both in fringe meetings and on the conference floor, resulting in myriad new positions for the party on climate and nature, including calling for a new just transition commission for the North Sea, a national climate assembly and new rights of way on former railway lines.

Despite a note of caution from veteran pollster John Curtice, warning that the party faces a tough electoral path to the 2029 election, in terms of increasing the number of seats they have in the Commons, Ed Davey made it clear that their eyes are already firmly planted on the next election. He pinpointed Nigel Farage as his main opponent in 2029 and expressed willingness to take Reform on, organising in local communities across the country.

The Greens are cutting through
Similarly, the Green Party seem to be riding high with a sustained wave of enthusiasm. Under the new leadership of Zack Polanski, membership numbers are exponentially rising, the base is energised and the party offers a clear, values-driven message on both social justice and the environment that is increasingly cutting through with the media. The conference reflected this success and it begs the question whether we will see major challenges from less established parties on both the left and the right in elections over the next few years.

This year’s conferences made one thing clear: the political consensus on climate and nature has fractured and the space for environmental ambition is shrinking. In this context, the environment sector must offer a compelling, future-focused vision that cuts through the noise, grounded in hope, solutions and the realities communities face, not just a reaction to the latest political headwinds.