Councils shaping the national conversation
It‘s that time of year again.
As the political world heads to the UK’s cities and seaside towns for the party conference season, the LGA is preparing to take local government’s message to the heart of national political debate.
Party conferences are a well-established fixture in the political calendar.
They offer a unique opportunity for councillors, council officers, parliamentarians, ministers, shadow ministers, think tanks, businesses and partner organisations to come together and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing communities across the country.
For the LGA, they are also an important chance to connect directly with our members, whose insight, experience and leadership underpin everything we do.
This year’s conference season comes at a particularly significant moment.
Since taking office, Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s Government has set out an ambitious programme of reform, and the summer has been marked by a steady stream of announcements ranging from devolution and public service reform to housing and growth.
With further policy developments expected in the months ahead, including the Prime Minister’s 10-year plan for the country, party conferences provide an important opportunity to engage with decision-makers and ensure councils’ experience and expertise help shape the national conversation.
Representing local and strategic authorities, the LGA has a vital role to play in bringing the sector together and championing the contribution they make to improving the lives of residents every day.
From housing and planning to social care, climate action, community safety and economic growth, local government remains central to delivering many of the Government’s priorities.
Successfully delivering a strong presence throughout conference season is very much a team effort. The LGA ‘s public affairs team works closely with its political group offices, councillor leadership and colleagues from across the organisation to develop programmes of activity that reflect the priorities of both the sector and the wider political landscape.
Through receptions, fringe events, roundtables and meetings, these conferences create opportunities to engage with decision-makers, share local government expertise and build the relationships that help inform future policy development.
Conference season got under way in Birmingham at the Reform UK Conference (3-5 September). We were pleased to welcome Reform council leaders to the LGA’s local government reception.
As with all our conference activity, the event enabled meaningful engagement with members from across the country about the challenges and opportunities facing their communities.
The season then continues with the Liberal Democrat Conference in Brighton (19-22 September), followed by the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool (27-30 September), Green Party Conference in Brighton (2-4 October), and rounding off with the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham (4-7 October).
Each conference presents its own opportunities for engagement, reflecting the priorities and perspectives of the respective parties, while providing a valuable platform for local government voices.
This year also marks an important milestone for the Green Party within the LGA. Following the local elections and subsequent formal constitution of the LGA Green Group at the LGA’s General Assembly in Bournemouth, the 2026 conference season will be the first in which the Green Party participates as an established LGA political group.
This reflects the evolving political landscape in local government and reinforces the LGA’s role in working across the political spectrum on behalf of its members, of all parties and none: we will be supporting the LGA Independent Group’s annual conference in Reading from 30-31 January.
While conference headlines often focus on national policy announcements, some of the most valuable conversations take place away from the main stage.
Party conferences create opportunities for council leaders and elected members to share their experiences, showcase innovation and demonstrate how local solutions can help address national challenges.
At a time of significant political and policy change, ensuring local government is represented in these discussions has never been more important.
Through our presence at conferences, the LGA will continue to champion the role of councils, connect national decision-makers with local experience and make the case for the communities councils serve every day.
For the latest information about the LGA’s events at the national party conferences – and who is attending from our public affairs team – please see right and visit local.gov.uk/parliament
Liberal Democrat Conference
Brighton Centre, 19-22 September
‘Bridging the digital divide and reconnecting Britain’
Saturday 19 September, 1pm to 2.30pm, Meeting Room 1C, Brighton Centre
Hosted by the LGA Liberal Democrat Group, the Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors (ALDC) and the Digital Communities All-Party Parliamentary Group
Local government reception
Sunday 20 September, 6.15pm to 7.15pm, Balmoral Room, Brighton Hilton Metropole
Hosted by the LGA Liberal Democrat Group and ALDC
Labour Party Conference
ACC Liverpool, 27-30 September
‘Local government’s role in adult social care’
Sunday 27 September, 2pm to 3pm, Auditorium 1B, ACC Liverpool
Hosted by the LGA Labour Group
Green Party Conference
Brighton Centre, 2-4 October
Local government reception
Friday 1 October, 6pm to 8pm, the Skyline, Brighton Centre
Hosted by the LGA Green Group and the Association of Green Councillors (AGC)
‘Power to places: a Green vision for the next phase of devolution’
Saturday 2 October, 5.30pm to 6.30pm, the Skyline, Brighton Centre
Hosted by the LGA Green Group and the AGC
Leaders’ breakfast
Saturday 2 October, 7.30am to 9am, Room 8, the Brighton Centre
Conservative Party Conference
ICC Birmingham and Hyatt Regency, 4-7 October
‘Local Government Act 2029: the basis of the next Conservative Government’s vision for English local government post-LGR’
Tuesday 6 October, 4pm to 5.30pm, Disraeli Theatre, NEC Birmingham
Hosted by the LGA Conservative Group
Local government reception
Monday 5 October, 11pm to 12.30am, Justham Family Room, Symphony Hall, Centenary Square
Hosted by the LGA Conservative Group