With a General Election expected later this year, and Labour riding high in the polls, the panel explored what challenges are currently facing the Labour Party, in the latest of our series of events with shadow ministers.

Our panel of expert speakers included Shadow Culture and Science Minister Lord Bassam, Keiran Pedley, Director of Politics from pollsters Ipsos, Andrew Harrop, General Secretary of the Fabian Society and Anna McShane, Founder of the New Britain Project.

Lord Bassam and the panel considered the upcoming General Election, and how the Labour Party may approach its policy development in the coming months. Questions also arose around Labour’s likely priorities should the Party find itself in Government at the end of the year.

The panel discussed what might be achieved during the first 100 days of a Starmer Administration, focusing on how the Party might navigate pressures to improve public services in the UK against the backdrop of the country’s current economic challenges.

Turning to the prospects of a landslide win, the general consensus was that although comparisons to 1997 may be tempting, significant shifts in the media landscape, the evolution of technology and more polarised views among the electorate mean Labour finds itself in a very different position in 2024.

There is a general lack of optimism in the public psyche, and trust in politicians is at an all-time low. Panellists debated whether Labour would therefore look to embrace an optimistic tone in their campaign – hinting at a brighter future – or whether they will be wary of promising too much, a characteristic some panellists said is the Party’s current approach to being in opposition. ‘No complacency’ has become the oft-repeated motto of Party insiders.

Some panellists argued that if Labour does win a majority, it will need a series of quick and strategic ‘wins’ to show, rather than tell, the public that they are bringing about change.

With significant volatility on the world stage, the panel discussed the increasing significance of international affairs in dictating the UK political agenda and what this might mean for an incoming Labour government. During the Q&A, the attendees considered the UK’s future relationship with the EU, and how any incoming government will face the challenge of balancing global politics and international conflict with domestic concerns.

For now, it was emphasised that Labour will retain a tight focus on its five missions – with all agreeing that policy actions in a first term will be aligned to these closely. The panel highlighted that for those looking to engage with the Party’s key decision makers, offering opportunities to help fulfil these missions will be of key.