Join Demos at Party Conferences 2026
As the UK’s leading cross-party think tank, we’ve long exercised our unique convening power to drive some of the most vibrant and highly attended events at party conferences.
For over 30 years, we’ve brought together high-profile speakers in constructive conversations that have influenced the course of governments.
In 2026, we are leading the debate on the defining challenge of our time – a crisis of trust in politics, government and public institutions. Our mission couldn’t be more relevant or urgent: how do we upgrade democracy and forge a new deal between citizens and the state?
Sponsor a Demos Party
Conference Event
Within our mission to upgrade democracy and make the case for a New Deal, our work spans a wide range of policy areas.
Our four focus areas offer a broad scope to collaborate with partners to shape engaging, impactful and relevant events:
- Improving Everyday Democracy – by designing, trialling and advocating for new practices and institutions to upgrade democracy and rebuild trust between state and citizen, and between citizens.
- Building the Citizen Economy – by supporting a new economic deal between citizens, government and markets, in which work, tax, investment and markets deliver good growth.
- Powering Public Service Reform – by making the case for person-centred and preventative services that deliver for people and restore faith in government.
- Cultivating Resilient Information Ecosystems – By strengthening information supply chains to break the cycles of misinformation and mistrust that fuel democratic decline.
Speakers at our events in recent years include Lisa Nandy, Bridget Phillipson, David Lammy, Jonathan Reynolds, Michael Gove, Ed Davey, Alex Davies-Jones, Bim Afolami, Jim McMahon, Rory Stewart, Lucy Frazer, Kirsty McNeill, Andy Burnham, Damian Green and many more.
Interested in curating a standalone event with us? Download the Demos Party Conference Sponsorship brochure for full details.
Sponsor Sir John Curtice x Demos: The State of the Nation
Our State of the Nation events delivered by renowned pollster, Sir John Curtice are the standout fringe events of the party conference season.
The great and the good from politics, media, industry and civil society gather every year to witness the unveiling of our new, exclusive public polling, with incisive commentary from Sir John and unique takeaways for each political party.
These events drive intense media interest and are always standing room only.
Interested in sponsoring this flagship event? Download the Demos X Sir John Curtice Sponsorship brochure for full details.
Full John Curtice event schedule:
Labour Party
Event: State of the Nation with Sir John Curtice
Date & Time: 27 September 2026 | 17:30–19:00
Location: Auditorium 1B
Labour enters a new political era under Andy Burnham. Sir John Curtice unveils bespoke polling on how the electoral landscape has shifted since 2024, where the party’s coalition stands today, and the choices that will shape its path to 2029.
Liberal Democrats
Event: State of the Nation with Sir John Curtice
Date & Time: 20 September 2026 | 18:15–19:15
Location: Empress-Charlotte, Grand Hotel
With 72 MPs the Liberal Democrats hold their strongest position in a century. Sir John Curtice unveils bespoke polling on where their support now stands, the case they can make for the centre, and the choices that shape their next chapter.
Conservative Party
Event: State of the Nation with Sir John Curtice
Date & Time: 04 October 2026 | 17:30–19:00
Location: DFS, Hyatt Regency
The Conservatives are navigating a changed political map, with Reform and the Liberal Democrats competing for parts of their traditional coalition. Sir John Curtice unveils bespoke polling on how the party’s support is evolving, what voters are looking for from the opposition, and how Kemi Badenoch’s approach is landing with the public.
Reform UK
Event: In Conversation with Professor Sir John Curtice
Date & Time: 04 September 2026 | 17:00–18:30
Location: NEC Birmingham
Demos hosts an exclusive ‘in conversation’ with Professor Sir John Curtice, the UK’s leading expert on public opinion and elections. Reform UK has done what many said was impossible: 14 councils, over 2,400 councillors, 270,000+ members, and topping the polls. But what does the data actually tell us about the durability of the movement? Sir John unveils bespoke polling conducted exclusively for this event to answer the question: what would it actually take for Reform to win a general election?
Green Party
Event: State of the Nation – In Conversation with Sir John Curtice
Date & Time: 02 October 2026 | 17:00–18:30
Location: Brighton Centre
The Greens arrive at Conference after a period of rapid growth under Zack Polanski, with rising membership, strong local election results and a first parliamentary by-election win in Gorton and Denton. What does this moment tell us about the party’s place in a fragmenting political landscape? Sir John Curtice unveils bespoke polling on who is turning to the Greens and why, how the party’s support is distributed across the country, and the questions it now faces as it looks to build on recent gains ahead of the next general election.
