What to watch as UK party conference season begins

THE UK’s annual party conference season is always a major part of the political year, akin to the US presidential conventions. This year’s events are even more important than usual, as Labour’s landslide victory in July has resulted in huge business interest in the party.

Given that Labour might now be in power for a decade, many more senior executives of big UK and international companies are attending this year’s conference, which begins in Liverpool this coming Sunday (Sep 22). Private sector sponsorship of the event will probably be the highest ever, too.

Unsurprisingly, Labour activists will be in a jubilant mood at the party conference, the first since 2010 that sees the party in power. However, beneath the joy, political storm clouds are gathering – only two full months into government.