My first Party Conference- Labour Conference 2022
By Khalil Talib
Khalil Talib discussing Labour's chances at the next general election. Watch here.
My first ever Party Conference was a blur! The days were so chaotic, so fast-paced and saturated that I felt like I didn’t have a moment to breathe… but I loved every minute of it.
We trundled into Liverpool on Monday afternoon after a hot, sweaty, and delayed train journey. Ironically, the manic pace hit us like a train (this one also hot and sweaty) once we had arrived in Liverpool, realising we had meetings booked in and very little time to settle into our accommodation. Without further ado we sped to the conference and I was surprised with what I saw.
A convivial atmosphere with people across the political spectrum exchanging ideas and talking on the latest political machinations - particularly the current government’s kamikaze mini-budget. I had conversations with people from all over the country, labour members, journalists, public affairs professionals, and politicians. The atmosphere was friendly and everyone was affable- far from what I had expected with the Labour party always depicted as divided, blighted by internal disputes and factionalism. Everyone I met despite differences in political opinions seemed open to discussion and very much united in their steadfast belief that change was necessary.
I wouldn't be able to pinpoint exactly what my expectations were prior to the conference, I suppose I assumed that the conference was largely for party activists, the grassroot supporters deliberating with NEC on the Party’s strategic direction. While I knew MPs would have some significant roles I didn’t expect the mixing and mingling with the Parliamentary Labour Party that I saw. It was a pleasant surprise to rub shoulders with MPs I watched on TV or followed on social media and sometimes it's that distance and the narratives of the media that can make you apathetic towards politicians.
It's easy I suppose to not view Politicians as your everyday human beings. But this conference experience helped me see them in a different light. I had a wonderful conversation with Alex Davies-Jones, the Shadow Minister for Tech, Gambling and Digital Economy, who may I add is a fantastic human-being with a genuine passion for bettering the lives of her constituents and the country on a whole. I was blown away by her authenticity and pride at representing her hometown in Parliament. A real eye opener for a young man taking his first steps in the Political world. She and my experience on a whole augmented my passion for politics!
To summarise my first ever party conference in a few words is a difficult task but I’ll give it my best shot; frantic, pedagogical and… worthwhile!