Labour’s frontbench, leading think-tankers and the polling industry gathered at a recent DRD Partnership breakfast to discuss how the Party should address the challenge of being considered a ‘shoe-in’ as the next Government. Michael Rose and Gina Watson report.

When Catherine West MP, Shadow Asia Minister, travelled to Beijing last week, she told senior Chinese government figures and businesses that “The next Labour government will take a strong, clear-eyed and consistent approach to China”. However, the detail of that approach still remains to be seen. In this report, DRD’s Jon McLeod and Charlie McAllister examine why a Labour government might be more hawkish on China.

As part of a series of engagements with Labour’s Shadow Frontbench team, DRD Partnership was delighted to host Thangam Debbonaire MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport at a breakfast event held at the London Transport Museum.

Jon McLeod looks at what the Labour reshuffle tells us about next year’s campaign and how Labour will govern if successful.

The 2023 local election results are unanimous about three things, uncertain about one, and have led commentators to ask a familiar, but misguided, question. DRD Partner, Pete Bowyer, attempts to answer the right one.

Ministers have raised the stakes for the gambling industry in their new White Paper, writes DRD Senior Adviser, Steve Myers.

DRD Partnership and global talent advisory, Green Park, were pleased to host Labour Peer, Baroness Thornton, Shadow Spokesperson for Women and Equalities at a breakfast roundtable.

DRD Partnership was pleased to host Labour Frontbench Peer, Lord Bassam of Brighton, Shadow Spokesperson for Culture, Media and Sport, Energy and Net Zero and Science Innovation and Technology at a roundtable policy dialogue.

DRD was delighted to host Bill Esterson MP, Labour’s shadow minister for business and industry, at a roundtable with leading businesses and organisations this morning.

The Labour Party is taking measured and deliberate steps to warm business to its economic thinking, says DRD Senior Analyst Toby Chapman.

In today’s Autumn Statement the Chancellor of the Exchequer struck a serious, sobering tone, announcing tax rises for millions and aiming to undo the reputational damage done by last month’s ‘mini-Budget’. DRD Senior Analyst and former Treasury official Toby Chapman examines the political implications of the statement for both the Government and the Opposition.

DRD Partnership was pleased to host Labour MP Seema Malhotra, Shadow Minister for Business and Consumers, at a private roundtable this morning in London.

The Private Members’ Bills for the 2022-23 Parliamentary session have now been tabled. DRD Senior Analyst, Toby Chapman, examines how they work, and what the ballot winners might hope to achieve.

Detailed policy with real regulatory impact will continue to progress without regard for political drama. In this blog, Ed Bowie looks at the need for business to stay focused despite the political noise.

On the 10th May, Prince Charles announced a super-sized 'Queen's' Speech containing 38 Bills. In this blog, DRD Partner, Pete Bowyer, looks at what this will mean for Government this year.

DRD Partnership’s Rhys Barnes takes a look at the local elections and what the results might mean for both major parties.

DRD Partnership has published an exclusive briefing note on the key Bills expected to be in the Queen’s Speech and offering political analysis on each of the main department’s proposed legislative plans.

With political and economic constraints closing in, DRD looks at how potential announcements in the Spring Statement could see the Chancellor navigate the crises of the coming months, or show him beginning to lose his balance...

At last, the Government have delivered the Levelling Up White Paper – 400 pages of plans and promises with much of the substance still to come. But what does the White Paper contain and what does it mean for the Government going forward?

With Parliament entering recess yesterday, DRD Partner Jon McLeod looks to the year ahead and asks - will 2022 see the fracturing of the United Kingdom?

Clemency Huggins and Ed Bowie take a look at how the Government and Opposition are approaching Levelling Up

Harry Barber takes a look at the steps which the U.K. government can take following the explosion at Liverpool Women’s Hospital on Remembrance Sunday.

After last week’s preview of the Labour Party Conference, DRD takes a look at what might be in store for the Conservatives next week.

DRD Partner, Jon Mcleod assesses Labour's problem with distinguishing between words and effectively communicating with the electorate.

DRD looks at how the fortunes of the Tories have changed over the Summer and considers how the Afghan crisis impacts domestic politics.

The Government has published its Subsidy Control Bill, outlining the UK’s new State Aid regime. DRD take a look at the details.

DRD assesses the state of play as Parliament goes into recess & explains how, after years of disruption, one Party looks like it’s settling..

DRD takes an in-depth look at this year’s forgotten, but critical, election for the new General Secretary which declares on 26 August.

DRD Partnership's Tamlin Vickers and Anna Bailey reflect on the lessons and key takeaways from the recent G7 summit.

Tamlin Vickers looks at the EU Covid Recovery Fund as they try to rebuild some of the credibility lost by a sluggish response to the pandemic.

Five years after the British public voted to leave the EU, Pete Bowyer explores how Brexit has changed the political map.

Ed Bowie explores what the Government needs to do to deliver results for local communities and how Levelling Up can be more than a slogan.

Ahead of the Queen’s speech next week, and in the aftermath of “Super Thursday”, Jon McLeod, joining DRD as a Partner in July 2021, makes the case that Labour needs a response that finally sets pulses racing.

As the 2021 local elections draw closer, Sam takes a look at what they might have in store for the main parties...

Tensions over vaccines, specifically AstraZeneca, in Europe remains high but is it really all political? DRD Partner in Brussels, Tamlin Vickers, shares his views.

Local elections are coming up. They will be a testbed of national sentiment for all politicians, but particularly Sir Keir Starmer...

Toby Chapman takes a look at what might be in store in the upcoming Budget, the challenges for Rishi Sunak and the economy.

A former Congressional fellow, looks at some of his challenges ahead and what Biden ’s US Presidency may herald for UK - US relations.

DRD Partner and former Labour adviser, Pete Bowyer takes a look at the key challenges and opportunities for Sir Keir Starmer through 2021.

We're looking at the issues the main parties will face in 2021 and outline challenges for the UK Prime Minister and the Conservative Party.

Tamlin Vickers, Partner in Brussels, provides an update into what’s really going on in the ongoing Brexit negotiations.

DRD Partner, Duncan Fulton, takes a look at the presidential candidates in the week running up to the 2020 US election - “You’re fired”, probably…

Samantha Beggs takes a look at the Government’s handling of the free school meals debate and considers how No.10 could have handled their comms better

As Brexit rumbles on, Johnson insists that a deal must be struck by mid-October, while the EU insists that a deal must be struck by the end of October.

There's another deep current of change in British politics that shouldn’t escape our attention. Read about the Civil Service reform from Duncan Fulton here.

With every scientist becoming an armchair politician, and every politician becoming an armchair scientist, how do we know who to believe?

Ross Ewing takes a look at Sir Ed Davey’s first few weeks as leader of the Lib Dems and considers how he will place the party ahead of the next GE.

Part two of our series on how the party leaders are faring as Parliament returns from recess.

As the Government returns from Recess – and schools across England and Wales return - DRD Partner Paul Barnes discusses their performance so far and what improvements are needed…

DRD Partners take a 360° look at the view on the EU-UK negotiations on a future trade deal from Brussels and London ahead of next week's discussions.

Stormbreaker? DRD Analyst Bella Soames looks at the Chancellor’s announcements this week, the response to them, and what comes next.

Steven Myers has written on the potential implications of the recent House of Lords report on gambling and what this could mean for legislative change.

Pete Bowyer explores why this weekend is a critical juncture for the Government, and how the Prime Minister will try to use this as an opportunity. Is it a position of maximum opportunity or maximum danger?

Fflur Sheppard looks at the impact of the Downing Street Covid-19 press conferences, which ended this week – and ponders what news might come next.

Snapshot was given unique access* to this week’s No10 ‘Grid’ meeting, the gathering of spinners who pretend to come to Boris's aid.

Ross Ewing looks at the pressing issues facing the government over the next few months and what choices will need to be made on the road to recovery. 

DRD Analyst Bella Soames asks what the long-term consequences of Dominic Cummings’ ill-advised trip to Barnard Castle will be for the Government.

Read DRD Partners, Duncan Fulton and David Landsman, asess how we can wereboot international relations after the end of the global lockdown.

DRD's Partner in Brussels, Tamlin Vickers takes a look at the state and future of Brexit negotiations in light of the current healthcare situation. 

Will Covid-19 provide an impetus for the Government to tackle domestic abuse? Read more on this by DRD Analyst, Bella Soames, by clicking here.

The government has provided an unprecedented raft of support packages to support business at this time. Many individual sectors need to go beyond these.

Our court system, with all its antiquated charm, has been at the forefront of this push, fast-tracked into embracing the new normal. 

Starming to victory: how Sir Keir needs to make the most of his moment.

We won’t be offering our ‘hot-take’ on the Government’s Covid-19 strategy but we will share some thoughts on how the Government is communicating the crisis.

John Casey, a former press secretary for a Democratic Member of Congress, takes a look at what a potential Joe Biden Presidency may mean for the UK

Is it time to bring back the feel-good factor? Read our latest public affairs blog post written by DRD Partner, Pete Bowyer.

DRD's Partner in Brussels, Tamlin Vickers, shares his views on the EU and UK trade negotiations, with a special focus on 'the French problem'. 

DRD Partner Duncan Fulton's piece about the integrated Defence and Security Review.The review is the most ambitious since the end of the Cold War.

DRD shares his views on the fast approaching Labour leadership election. Read more about the one member, one vote, and one mission here.

Restructure or reshuffle? Many expected to wake up on Valentine’s Day to a new Cabinet, an overhauled Civil Service and a conglomerate of departments.

Mr Johnson will stamp his authority on his government and provide a glimpse into the future of his premiership when he reshuffle s his ministers this week.

DRD Partner Duncan Fulton writes in the February edition of DIPLOMAT magazine. 2020 was supposed to be the year when everything was changed, wasn’t it?

A decision on HS2 ’s future is imminent.Transport Secretary confirmed that the Gov could make an announcement as early as this week.

End of an era/error? “We are inextricably part of Europe. Neither Mr Foot nor Mr Benn nor anyone else will ever be able to take us out of Europe.”

Moving slowly through the gears: the Labour leadership election reaches its next stage.

After one of the most turbulent years in modern British politics, it’s a safe bet that 2020 will not be such a political drama.

Welcoming the DUDE! Our consulting partner, Duncan Fulton, has prepared the following six thoughts about Boris Johnson and his future Premiership.

Triumph and disaster - Pete Bowyer, Partner at DRD Partnership and a member Labour for over 30 years, shares his insights about the Labour Party Conference. 

DRD Partner, Pete Bowyer's view in the final week running up to the general election. Expect a comfortable Conservative victory, possibly even a landslide.

DRD Associate Samantha Beggs investigates whether nationalism is on the rise and what impact it might have in the General Election.

Will the 2019 General Election be the death of the two-party system?

DRD partner Duncan Fulton assesses the foreign policy offerings of the three main parties, and the ramifications of these for the UK’s global standing.

DRD Partner Paul Barnes assesses just how “right-wing” this Conservative party has become and will be if elected in the 2019 General Election.

DRD's Pete Bowyer investigates the six reasons why Labour could still win and the six reasons why they won’t, in the upcoming General Election.

Samantha Beggs is an Associate at DRD Partnership in London, looks at the Conservative Party Conference, or at a conference of two halves.

Tamlin Vickers, Partner at DRD Partnership in Brussels, looks at the current mood in Brussels where optimism is evaporating.

Tamlin Vickers, Partner at DRD Partnership, shares the view from Brussels on the outlook of Brexit in the European Union capital.

Pete Bowyer, Partner at DRD Partnership in London, assesses the intertwined relationship between public affairs and the law.

Samantha Beggs, Associate at DRD Partnership in London, looks at the Awesome Foursome, or what will become of the Union after Brexit.

Damn and blaster - DRD Consulting Partners, Duncan Fulton and Tamlin Vickers, share thoughts from either end of the Euro Tunnel.

Samantha Beggs, Associate at DRD Partnership, looks at the race to be Prime Minister in the Conservative leadership contest.

As MPs return to Parliament after the Spring recess for Mrs May’s last week as Leader, the ramifications of the European Elections results loom large.

With the imminent collapse of the Withdrawal Agreement, the clamour for a second EU referendum, a so-called People’s Vote grows unabated. It may be popular, it may even be preferable, but is it practicable? Pete Bowyer of DRD Partnership investigates…

DRD's reflections on the Conservative Party Conference in 2018. It was the best of conferences, it was the worst of conferences.