British Future at Party Conferences 2026
Event type: Conference fringe eventsDate:
Location: Brighton, Liverpool and Birmingham
British Future will be at the Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative party conferences this autumn, bringing our latest research and evidence on public attitudes into some of the biggest debates facing British politics.
Across our programme, we’ll be asking how Britain navigates its relationship with Europe a decade after the Brexit vote; what generational change means for a divided society; what ethnic minority voters want from Labour on race and fairness; and how the new government can build public confidence on immigration without fuelling division.
Our events bring together politicians, researchers, journalists and voices from civil society for constructive, evidence-led conversations about how we can bridge divides and build a more confident and welcoming Britain.
Coming to conference?
If you’re planning to attend one of our events, or would like to catch up with the British Future team over a coffee while you’re at conference, we’d be very happy to hear from you.
Please email priyesh@britishfuture.org to get in touch.
Liberal Democrat Party Conference | Brighton
A Decade After the Brexit Vote: How Close Should the UK Get to Europe Now?
Monday 21 September | 13:45–14:45
The Pavilion, The Grand Hotel, Brighton
Official Fringe Hotel (outside secure zone), adjacent to the Brighton Centre (2 minute walk from secure zone)
A decade after the Brexit vote, what future relationship with the EU would UK voters support now?
The event draws on new attitudes research by British Future, published in the September 2026 report Britain and Europe: How close should we get? It will explore how the public feels about different options for Britain’s future relationship with Europe – from rejoining the EU, the single market and free movement to closer cooperation on key issues.
It will also consider where public opinion is shifting, where doubts and divisions remain, and what this means for politicians seeking to engage voters on one of the key questions shaping Britain’s future.
Confirmed speakers:
- Max Wilkinson MP – Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson and MP for Cheltenham
- Manuela Perteghella MP – Liberal Democrat MP for Stratford-on-Avon
- Lord Mark Pack – Liberal Democrat peer and Chair of the Federal Elections and Communications Committee
- Sunder Katwala – Director, British Future
- Heather Rolfe – Director of Research and Relationships, British Future (Chair)
Labour Party Conference | Liverpool
British Future will be in Liverpool with four events across Monday and Tuesday, examining some of the key questions facing the new Labour government – from generational and racial divides to Europe and immigration.
Bridging Divides: Why Generations Matter
Monday 28 September | 09:15–11:00
Global City Theatre, Museum of Liverpool
Outside the conference secure zone – approximately a 3–4 minute walk from the main ACC Liverpool conference site
A British Future and Intergenerational England event
The new Prime Minister takes office in a society that feels more divided than anybody wants. What part do generational differences play in contested debates about social and political change – and where might generations have more in common than we think?
Bringing together voices from politics, policy and civil society, this discussion will explore how generational shifts are shaping Britain, where divisions between generations are real or overstated, and how greater intergenerational solidarity could help bring people together.
Confirmed speakers:
- Paul Davies MP for Colne Valley and Chair of APPG for Tackling Loneliness and Connected Communities
- Olivia Field – CEO of Jo Cox Foundation
- Sunder Katwala – Director, British Future
- Emily Abbott – Co-Founder of Intergenerational EnglandFinal speaker to be announced soon
What Do Ethnic Minorities Want from Labour on Race?
Monday 28 September | 11:30–12:30
Future Governance Forum (FGF) Pod, Arena Room, ACC Liverpool
Inside the main Labour Party Conference secure zone at ACC Liverpool
With Labour under new leadership, what do ethnic minorities want to hear from the government on race, representation and prejudice?
Drawing on new findings from British Future’s Voices for Equity research into ethnic minority and white British attitudes, this panel will explore what the Burnham government should retain, rethink or reset in its approach to racial inequity – and how it can pursue fairness while building common ground across Britain.
Confirmed speakers:
- Adam Jogee MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme
- Sunder Katwala – Director, British Future
Other speakers to be announced soon
A Decade After the Brexit Vote: How Close Should the UK Get to Europe Now?
Monday 28 September | 13:00–14:15
Global City Theatre, Museum of Liverpool
Outside the conference secure zone – approximately a 3–4 minute walk from the main ACC Liverpool conference site
A decade after the Brexit vote, what future relationship with the EU would UK voters support now?
The event draws on new attitudes research by British Future, published in the September 2026 report Britain and Europe: How close should we get? It will explore how the public feels about different options for Britain’s future relationship with Europe – from rejoining the EU, the single market and free movement to closer cooperation on key issues.
It will also consider where public opinion is shifting, where doubts and divisions remain, and what this means for politicians seeking to engage voters on one of the key questions shaping Britain’s future.
The panel will consider where public opinion is shifting, where doubts and divisions remain, and what this means for politicians seeking to engage voters on one of the key questions shaping Britain’s future.
Confirmed speakers:
- Anneliese Dodds MP for Oxford East
- Sunder Katwala – Director, British Future
Other speakers to be announced soon
Can Labour Get Immigration Right?
Tuesday 29 September | 10:00–11:00
Future Governance Forum (FGF) Pod, Arena Room, ACC Liverpool
Inside the main Labour Party Conference secure zone at ACC Liverpool
On immigration and asylum, the new government will need to navigate public concern without fuelling division – offering an approach that is workable and consistent with Labour values.
This discussion will explore what the public wants from the government on immigration, the political risks and opportunities ahead, and how Labour can develop an authentic approach that commands public confidence.
Confirmed speakers:
- Tony Vaughan MP for Folkestone and Hythe
- Emily Graham – Author, Future Governance Forum
- Sunder Katwala – Director, British FutureOther speakers to be announced soon
Conservative Party Conference | Birmingham
Sunday 4–Wednesday 7 October
ICC Birmingham
British Future Director Sunder Katwala will be attending Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham. Contact priyesh@britishfuture.org if you would like to arrange a meeting, or for speaking opportunities on fringe panels.
British Future’s latest activity on Twitter
'Burnham should scrap Labour’s red lines on Brexit and get closer to EU, voters say' - great write-up today from @_katedevlin @Independent of our new report 'Britain and Europe: How close should we get?'
Burnham should scrap Labour’s red lines on Brexit and get closer to EU, voters say
New research shows just one in five voters think Brexit has been a success, heaping pressure on the new prime ...
www.independent.co.uk
Ahead of autumn's UK-EU summit, new @BritishFuture research finds that people see Brexit as a failure and want closer EU ties. But voters are undecided about what comes next, with uncertainty about the idea of another referendum, or a return to free movement [1/3]
Published tomorrow (Weds) 'Britain and Europe: How close should we get?' a new @britishfuture report examining public attitudes to the future UK-EU relationship, incl on trade, free movement, asylum and youth mobility. Check https://www.britishfuture.org tomorrow for more details
More than half of Muslims experienced prejudice based on their religion in the last year, but three-quarters still feel the UK is a good place to be Muslim, finds a new report, ‘Understanding Anti-Muslim Hostility: Foundations for Action’ by
@britishfuture @BMuslimTrust [1/4]
‘X accused of giving racists impunity after failing to take down ‘n-word’ and ‘p-word’ abuse’ - @guardian
X accused of giving racists ‘impunity’ after refusing to bar N- and P-word posts
Site takes no action over hate posts against UK politicians including Kemi Badenoch, Shabana Mahmood and Zia Yusuf
www.theguardian.com
‘Windrush anniversary must focus on legacy and unfinished justice’ @ppvernon writes for the @JamaicaGleaner
Patrick Vernon | Windrush anniversary must focus on legacy and unfinished justice
As Britain gets ready to celebrate another Windrush Day on June 22, I use the opportunity to reflect on what I...
jamaica-gleaner.com
Published today: ‘After the fall: Why hasn’t falling immigration changed public attitudes?’ reporting the 2026 findings of British Future’s annual Immigration Attitudes Tracker. 🧵
What does the public really think about immigration? Coming soon: The 2026 Immigration Attitudes Tracker report from British Future. Published 00.01 Thurs 21 May, ahead of the new ONS net migration stats at 9.30am that day.
'Three weeks, three months, or three years? The uncertain future of Keir Starmer'' – new
@sundersays column for @easterneye :
https://www.easterneye.biz/keir-starmer-resignation-speculation
Most of the public does not like the way in which the England flag has been dragged into polarised debates about identity and race, according to new research published today by British Future, one month out from St George's Day. [Thread]
