Labour’s Super Saturday: A Weekend of Regional Conferences

Last weekend saw a ‘Super Saturday’ for the Labour Party, as thousands of members, activists, and politicians gathered across four simultaneous regional conferences in Sheffield, Leicester, Coventry, and Portsmouth. Cavendish’s team was on the ground at all four events, and what was immediately clear was the scale, energy, and ambition on display.??

These are Labour’s biggest gatherings outside of the annual party conference, and following a stellar week for the Prime Minister on the world stage, for the first time since the election, the party appeared to be striding forward with real confidence and optimism.?

For those unfamiliar with Labour regional conferences, they are a far cry from the somewhat stress-inducing hustle and bustle of annual conference - which will yet again be in Liverpool this autumn. These events are more relaxed, with MPs and ministers freely mingling with members, local leaders, and business attendees, often spotted chatting over coffee and cake in refreshment areas.?

Fringe events and panel discussions take on a distinctly local flavour, allowing politicians to engage in deeper discussions about regional priorities. Media presence is minimal, except for major speeches, which are carefully managed, creating an atmosphere where discussions have more candour and camaraderie.?

Each conference also featured a Gala Dinner, where newly elected Labour MPs and their campaign teams celebrated alongside Cabinet ministers in a friendly and informal setting. The support from the top of the party was evident, with almost every Cabinet member attending at least one of the four events. Special mention should go to the Reeves sisters – Rachel Reeves and Ellie Reeves – who impressively made appearances at three conferences each, likely crossing paths multiple times on the M1 (a joke that, I think, featured in both their speeches).?

Chancellor Rachel Reeves used her multiple appearances this weekend to emphasise Labour’s focus on local investment – from funding for schools and pothole repairs to closer collaboration with regional mayors. Other Cabinet ministers took a similar approach, tailoring their messages to regional concerns. Transport was another dominant theme, with much discussion about how better regional connectivity and infrastructure improvements will be key to delivering the government’s main mission: growth.??

Rachel Reeves and Defence Secretary John Healey, in addition to metro Mayors Tracy Brabin, Oliver Coppard and David Skaith, both made an appearance at the increasingly popular Labour YIMBY (Yes In My Back Yard) reception, where housing and growth were key discussion points. It was mused in 2023 that ‘we’re all Blairites now’, but, given the attendance at Labour YIMBY’s events across all four conferences, it would appear that in 2025, we’re actually all YIMBY’s now.?

There was similar enthusiasm in both the West Midlands and Sheffield, where flipping seats like Lichfield and York Outer, which even the party didn’t win in the landslide of 1997, was celebrated.??

Having attended dozens of regional conferences over the years, the team at Cavendish can confidently say that this weekend was on a different level – polished, professional and strategic. The scale, organisation, and political messaging demonstrated a party fully focused on delivering results, and for businesses keen to collaborate, there were excellent opportunities to engage and connect.?

Labour’s regional conferences demonstrated a party energised by its recent electoral victories and ready to take the next steps in government. With a sharp focus on delivery, strong Cabinet-level support, and an engaged activist base, the message was clear: Labour is here to govern, and it means business.?

Written by,

Chris Lee | Head of Media Strategy