30 October 2026
Education and skills in party leader conference speeches
Policy Connect has published a round-up of the references to skills and education party leader speeches at this year’s conferences.
There was little related to education and skills in Reform’s speeches, though training for NHS staff and a view that too many people go to university were headlines. The party also included their plans for compulsory singing of the national anthem and raising the flag in schools, while they could look to a ‘record number of apprenticeships’.
For the Lib Dems, Ed Davey referred to the country having talent but not supporting people to make the most of it. He covered the challenges with the SEND system.
Andy Burnham’s speech had the most references to education and skills, which were part of his ten-year plan as a choice between investing in skills or paying for higher benefits. He referenced an overhaul of comprehensive education to achieve academic and technical parity from age 14, proposed a youth offer with a 45-day work placement for 16-to-18-year-olds, and promises of an apprenticeship at age 18.
Zach Polanski’s leadership speech for the Green Party didn’t directly address education and skills, referring to young people to support wider policy, such as reducing living costs.
The leadership speech for the Conservatives was stronger on education and skills, with headlines including plans to scrap interest on student loans and remove areas of the recent Employment Rights Act that she feels restrict employment growth. The welfare system would be reformed with a ‘tough love’ approach, with potential benefits cuts for those who haven’t contributed enough, and young people being put on a ‘get to work’ programme. In schools the curriculum would focus on academic standards and young people trusted to find their own pathways.
Read the full review of the party leader conference speeches by Policy Connect.
There was little related to education and skills in Reform’s speeches, though training for NHS staff and a view that too many people go to university were headlines. The party also included their plans for compulsory singing of the national anthem and raising the flag in schools, while they could look to a ‘record number of apprenticeships’.
For the Lib Dems, Ed Davey referred to the country having talent but not supporting people to make the most of it. He covered the challenges with the SEND system.
Andy Burnham’s speech had the most references to education and skills, which were part of his ten-year plan as a choice between investing in skills or paying for higher benefits. He referenced an overhaul of comprehensive education to achieve academic and technical parity from age 14, proposed a youth offer with a 45-day work placement for 16-to-18-year-olds, and promises of an apprenticeship at age 18.
Zach Polanski’s leadership speech for the Green Party didn’t directly address education and skills, referring to young people to support wider policy, such as reducing living costs.
The leadership speech for the Conservatives was stronger on education and skills, with headlines including plans to scrap interest on student loans and remove areas of the recent Employment Rights Act that she feels restrict employment growth. The welfare system would be reformed with a ‘tough love’ approach, with potential benefits cuts for those who haven’t contributed enough, and young people being put on a ‘get to work’ programme. In schools the curriculum would focus on academic standards and young people trusted to find their own pathways.
Read the full review of the party leader conference speeches by Policy Connect.
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