The 2025 party conferences highlighted the starkly uneven state of UK politics. In Aberdeen, the SNP projected stability and competence, while in Liverpool, Labour sought to regain lost momentum and the Conservatives struggled to command attention. Reform UK, meanwhile, continue to loudly reshape the political environment siphoning support and forcing established parties to rethink their strategies. For businesses, the central takeaway is unambiguous: the environment is fluid, and agility is now a necessity.
In the Granite City, the SNP appeared calm, focused and optimistic. John Swinney has stabilised a party that cycled through Nicola Sturgeon, Humza Yousaf and a financial investigation in quick succession. Independence remains the headline, but Swinney is cautious – another referendum is contingent on winning a majority at Holyrood. Polls suggest they are well-placed, with Reform UK nibbling at the unionist vote. Confidence is high, but the path is narrow by design. Swinney’s strategy is clear – show the SNP as the only party that represents Scotland’s interests and hope the threat of Nigel Farage as Prime Minister is enough to increase support for independence.
Labour is clawing back momentum
In Liverpool, Starmer framed Reform UK as Labour’s main competitor, creating a clear rallying point. Momentum is fragile and the government’s early goodwill has been destroyed. The challenge now is turning this ‘us or them’ narrative into votes. The conference was about proving that just over a year on from a thumping election win, all is not already lost for their term in government. The Budget on 26 November will go a long way to proving whether that is the case.
Conservatives are fighting for relevance
The Tories’ conference highlighted the challenge of staying in the game. Empty halls underscored their diminished presence. High-profile speeches and policy announcements sought to regain attention, but Reform UK’s rise has forced the party to compete harder for every voter. Kemi Badenoch and others are battling both visibility and influence internally and externally.
Reform UK is the disruptor
Reform UK is the increasingly important wildcard. Farage’s party is taking support from both Labour and the Conservatives and forcing established parties to adapt. They have reshaped the political debate even without holding office. With strong showings expected across the UK at next year’s English local elections and Scottish and Welsh parliamentary polls, they are here to stay. How each party deals with that will be what decides not just upcoming votes, but the next Westminster election in 2029.
What this means for business
The 2025 conference season is a reminder, if we needed one, that businesses cannot take political stability for granted. Three key implications stand out:
Engagement with all parties is essential. The SNP, Labour, the Conservatives and Reform UK are all potential influencers of policy. A single-party or government engagement strategy is too narrow; businesses need relationships across the political spectrum now more than ever.
Time-sensitive strategy is critical. With Holyrood elections next year, policy windows can and will shift rapidly. Businesses must identify key moments now for engagement and advocacy before positions solidify ahead of next year’s elections.
Focus on impact, not just compliance. Success is not about passively reacting to government decisions; it is about shaping the environment. Early and sustained cross-party engagement now, including at local and regional levels, will pay dividends later.
The political environment is fluid. The SNP has regained stability, Labour is recalibrating, the Conservatives are struggling for relevance and Reform UK is forcing everyone to rethink assumptions. For businesses, the message is unambiguous – act proactively. Build relationships across all parties, anticipate shifts in policy and be prepared to adapt quickly. Success will go to those who move first, not those who wait.
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