Maritime as an engine of growth and trade

Highlights included the Maritime Reception, hosted by Maritime UK, where attendees heard from Shadow Transport Secretary, Richard Holden MP, and former Maritime Minister Robert Courts KC, both highlighting the critical importance of the maritime industry to the UK’s economic growth ambitions. These sentiments, alongside the vital role of the industry in supporting UK trade, were echoed further by Shadow Minister, Jerome Mayhew MP at the Great British Trade Reception hosted by the Port of Dover.

Net Zero – A Strategic Retreat

Following the party’s repositioning on climate policy, the Conference offered further opportunity to engage with parliamentarians and policy makers within the party on this issue.

Senior figures, including Kemi Badenoch and Andrew Bowie, criticised the 2050 net zero target, describing it as economically damaging and politically out of touch. The promised repeal of the Climate Change Act further signalling a broader move away from legally binding environmental commitments.

The Conservative Party’s emphasis now appears to be on affordability and energy independence, rather than decarbonisation.

Policy on the fringes

Across the fringes there were a wide range of debates around future party policy towards the environment and net zero – with a focus on energy policy, growth opportunities and skills transition, all of which will carry relevance to the maritime sector as further direction emerges.

Energy security dominated, particularly in relation to the future of the North Sea, with MPs and commentators making strident arguments against current government approaches to licensing, placing emphasis on the risk to jobs and investment in coastal communities and the offshore sector. The party reaffirmed its support for continued exploration and production, positioning itself as a defender of traditional energy sectors.

Rebuilding and Repositioning

If CCHQ is to be believed, then the conference marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Conservative Party. With Kemi Badenoch asserting – at least for now – her leadership.

While the atmosphere was understandably more subdued than in previous years, the Party are clearly working to define their post-election identity. Under the banner of “Stronger Economy, Stronger Borders”, headline policy announcements included border control, economic sovereignty, stamp duty, deregulation and the notable retreat from net zero commitments - all peppered positioning aimed at countering the rising popularity of Reform in core geographic and policy turf for the Party.

The Conservative Party is clearly in a period of ideological recalibration, and as it redefines its platform, the UK Chamber will continue to engage with the parliamentary party and its officials, particularly around infrastructure, trade, and coastal investment.
 

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