SEC Newgate at the LGA Annual Conference 2026

Two years ago, SEC Newgate representatives were in the throng of parliamentary candidates at UKREiiF just at the moment they found out a general election would take place sooner than they’d expected.

Nothing beats being in the thick of political events when big news changes the scene completely.  

At last year’s LGA Annual Conference and Exhibition, Reform UK’s presence was a little undercooked.

The May 2025 elections handed the party control of councils (nine) for the first time, but perhaps because of the sudden nature of it we found many newly elected senior Reform councillors didn’t make it to Liverpool.

The LGA Annual Conference and Exhibition 2026 has found Reform in similarly high spirits after adding more councils, but with a far more organised and visible presence on the exhibition floor.

We’ve had many useful conversations with new Reform council leaders looking for new approaches to the challenges they’ve inherited.  

As the time of the Farage statement approached, there was ‘concern’ at the always-busy Reform stand.

They all went out to listen to it on phones in the beautiful Bournemouth sunshine.

Before they returned, the news was circulating in the hall that Farage was ‘doing a David Davis’, resigning from the Commons to fight the by-election that he was triggering.

Officially, Reform councillors were ‘cock-a-hoop’: Farage had stolen Andy Burnham’s summer, regained the narrative whilst skilfully avoiding any Standards investigation outcomes.

A few hours later it may have seemed less clever. The major parties decided not to stand candidates, leaving perennial satirical candidate Count Binface as the only declared opposition.

Last night he was running at 7/1 to win the seat, this morning it’s 5/1.

Will Farage risk a shock loss or a hollow victory, or will there be more news that changes things again?  

Comparing to last year at the LGA conference again, back then the Labour chat was differing views on the threat of the Greens.

I have to say that this year several of those I had those conversations with are not here, the electorate having settled the matter for them.

At least the Labour LGA group stand has a new slogan this year.

It’s gone from ‘change’ (not ideal when you’re in power nationally and locally) to ‘Pride in Britain’. and several councillors told me they were enjoying opposition or reminded me that Labour is still the largest Party in local government.

For Conservatives, the prevailing mood is a strong desire to see the back of Reform via finishing Farage off.

Then the vote will come home – as it usually does.

Opposition Group leader is still ranked as the most thankless task around, though.

So fair play to them, and all who serve!

• The team at SEC Newgate regularly attend events which can be helpful for making connections for the purposes of politics and planning. Email local@secnewgate.co.uk  if you’d like to know more.