The Labour Party conference will return to Liverpool in 2027, marking a sixth consecutive year in the city, ahead of Andy Burnham's first gathering as leader later this month.
Thousands of party members, delegates and government officials are expected to arrive in the city from September 27 as the party holds its annual meeting at Liverpool Experience Campus, formerly known as ACC Liverpool. The waterfront venue will host speeches and events over four days, with Mr Burnham delivering his first conference address as leader on Tuesday.
Multi-Year Agreement Confirmed
It has been confirmed as part of a multi-year agreement that Labour will once again hold its conference in the city next year. The 2024 event is estimated to have generated around £30m for Liverpool's economy.
Labour sources have confirmed that a location has yet to be chosen for the yearly event beyond next year. Cllr Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool Labour and the city council, who gave the welcome address during the 2025 conference, confirmed during a local authority cabinet meeting on Tuesday that the city would play host again in 12 months' time.
Liverpool's History With Labour
Liverpool has hosted the Labour Party since the turn of the century, welcoming delegates in 2011, 2016, 2018, and continuously since 2022. The 2024 event was the first time the party had held a gathering in government for 14 years, while last year's conference was full of rumours about Keir Starmer's leadership.
According to LabourList, despite its recent popularity with the party, Liverpool has yet to match Brighton's tally of hosting rights, with Brighton having welcomed Labour officials on 20 occasions. Blackpool has also been a popular venue, having held the conference 14 times, but not since 2002. Manchester hasn't held a conference in more than a decade, having become a popular location for the Conservative Party. Security, accessibility and transport links are all considered by the party when deciding on where to host its annual gathering.
Turbulent Year for Labour
This year's event is being held toward the end of a turbulent year for the Labour Party. Mr Burnham became Prime Minister in July, replacing Sir Keir a matter of weeks after damaging local election results.
The 56-year-old returned to Parliament having comfortably won the Makerfield by-election in Greater Manchester, resulting in him giving up the city region mayoralty. This was also held by the party, with former leader of the city council, Bev Craig, taking over from the new Prime Minister.
He was in the city on Tuesday to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The two Evertonians also took in the Blues' Carabao Cup clash with Wolves at Hill Dickinson Stadium, just along the docklands from where Labour will gather in 10 days' time.
