Join Demos at the Labour party conference 2024

At this year’s Labour party conference we’ll once again be holding a range of panel events with expert speakers, including politicians, businesses, civil society leaders, journalists and other experts that bring fresh ideas and perspectives.

We’ll be discussing the future of business, reforming public services, tackling homelessness and the potential of Generative AI.

The core of what makes a party conference special is the participation and engagement of attendees, the questions and contributions from the floor and the conversations that start in response to the discussions at events. So do make sure you come along and give your views on the big issues facing the country.

September 22nd, 18:00 – 19:30

The road to 2029: A conversation with Sir John Curtice

• Sir John Curtice, Professor of Politics, Strathclyde University
• Polly Curtis, Chief Executive, Demos (Chair)

September 23rd, 09:30 – 10:30

Places to be proud of: How can philanthropy and government support communities and tackle regional inequality?

• Emily Darlington MP, Member of Parliament for Milton Keynes Central
• Sunder Katwala, Director, British Future
• Neil Heslop OBE, Chief Executive, Charities Aid Foundation
• Dan Corry, Chief Executive, New Philanthropy Capital
• Andrew O’Brien, Director of Policy and Impact, Demos (Chair)

September 23rd, 11:00 – 12:00

Mission-ready government: How could missions help government fix public services?

• Josh Simons MP, Member of Parliament for Makerfield
• Ravi Gurumurthy, Chief Executive, Nesta
• Sarah Elliott, Chief Executive Officer, NCVO
• Anthony Kirby, Chief Executive, Serco UK & Europe
• Ben Glover, Head of Social Policy, Demos (Chair)

September 23rd, 12:30 – 13:30

How can we unlock local growth through science, research and innovation?

• Chi Onwurah MP, Chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee
• Torsten Bell MP, Member of Parliament for Swansea West
• Dr Alicia Greated, Executive Director, Campaign for Science and Engineering
• John Foster, Chief Campaigns and Policy Officer, CBI
• Nigel Hugill, CEO, Urban&Civic and Chair, Centre for Cities
• Polly Curtis, Chief Executive Officer, Demos (Chair)

September 23rd, 15:00 – 15:30

In conversation with Lisa Nandy MP

• Lisa Nandy MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
• Polly Curtis, Chief Executive, Demos (Chair)

September 23rd, 15:00 – 16:00

Public services: The next frontier of English devolution?

• Jim McMahon OBE MP, Minister for Local Government and English Devolution
• Councillor Bev Craig, Leader, Manchester City Council
• Councillor Carole Pattison, Leader, Kirklees Council
• Iain Murray, Director of Financial Management, CIPFA
• Ben Glover, Head of Social Policy, Demos (Chair)

September 24th, 09:00 – 10:00

The opportunity effect: How can businesses harness social mobility to drive growth?

• Rt Hon Alan Milburn, Former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
• Stephen Bediako OBE, Social entrepreneur, innovator, impact investor and design expert
• Emma Hoddinott, Deputy General Secretary, Co-operative Party
• Paul Gerrard, Campaigns, Public Affairs & Board Secretariat Director, The Co-operative Group
• Miriam Levin, Director of Participatory Programmes, Demos (Chair)

September 24th, 11:00 – 12:00

Mission risk: Treating severe mental illness to deliver a better health service

• Paulette Hamilton MP, Former Member of the Health and Social Care Select Committee
• Luciana Berger, Senior Adviser, iNHouse Communications
• Lord Victor Adebowale, Chair, NHS Confederation
• Brian Dow, Chief Executive, Mental Health UK & Deputy Chief Executive, Rethink Mental Illness
• Polly Curtis, CEO, Demos (chair)

September 24th, 12:00 – 13:30

In the age of AI, what should be prioritised in a Labour digital inclusion strategy?

• Samantha Niblett MP, Member of Parliament for South Derbyshire
• Helen Milner OBE, CEO, Good Things Foundation
• Nicola Wallace Dean, Co-founder and COO, Starting Point Community Learning Partnership
• Tamara Dewhirst, Head of Public Affairs, Virgin Money UK PLC
• Dr Elizabeth Seger, Director of Digital Policy, Demos (Chair)

September 24th, 16:00 – 17:00

The £300bn Opportunity: How can we maximise the social and environmental impact of public spending?

• Dame Meg Hillier MP, Chair, Treasury Select Committee
• Alistair Strathern MP, Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Chancellor of the Exchequer & Chair of the APPG for the Environment
• Laura Shoaf CBE, Chief Executive, West Midlands Combined Authority
• Hana Kapetanovic, Lead Researcher, Demos
• Sarah Atkins, CMO and Membership Director, GS1 UK
• Andrew O’Brien, Director of Policy and Impact, Demos (Chair)