McKell Institute’s 2025 International Program has concluded after a busy week engaging Labour figures, think tankers, communications strategists, diplomats, and Prime Ministerial advisors in Liverpool and London.
For the first time, the McKell Institute’s International Program travelled to the United Kingdom.
The timing could not have been more critical.
Arriving in Liverpool on Day 1 of Labour Conference, the McKell delegation spent 2.5 days interacting with progressives from the UK and around the world.
The delegation enjoyed dozens of fringe events, as well as keynote speeches from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves; Health Secretary, West Streeting; and the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.
McKell Institute CEO, Ed Cavanough, also participated in several panels, sharing political insights and experiences from Australia with UK Labour.
After Liverpool, the delegation returned to London.
On Day 3, the group met with Lord David Evans of Sealand, and John McTernan.
Lord Evans was formerly UK Labour General Secretary, overseeing Labour’s record landslide victory in the 2024 election. John McTernan was a senior communications strategist to multiple Labour prime ministers. Each shared their insights into the Labour Government’s progress, and the economic challenges the country is facing.
This was followed by a comprehensive tour of the House of Lords and House of Commons, led by Lord Evans.
That evening, the group were joined for dinner by Sydney Morning Herald’s Europe Correspondent, David Crowe, who discusses experiences working as a journalist in London from an Australian perspective.
Day 4 focused on engaging with the UK’s progressive think tank ecosystem. The group met with Labour Together, Fabians, and the Tony Blair Institute, each of whom offered their diagnosis of the falling Labour vote, and how the government can respond. The group were also briefed by Boldt BPI, a communications firm, about the various political trends shaping UK and European affairs.
That evening, the Delegation was joined at dinner by famous podcast host, political commentator and former Tony Blair communications advisor Alastair Campbell.
Alastair offered a rare private briefing to the Delegation, sharing his anecdotes about his time in office, and his thoughts on the major trends shaping UK and global politics.
The final day of the program began with a briefing by the Trades Union Council about the state of worker rights in the United Kingdom. The TUC shared their campaign approach, the state of the union movement, and the challenge to working people posed by a Reform agenda.
The Delegation then met with Australian High Commissioner Stephen Smith at Australia House. High Commissioner Smith provided a sweeping overview of the bilateral relationship, while his team offered insights into the political and economic trends shaping the United Kingdom.
The 2025 Delegation then concluded with a special visit and meeting to 10 Downing Street. Walking through the famous 10 Downing St front door, the delegation were offered a tour of the famous residence, visiting the Cabinet room and various meeting rooms in which history has been shaped.
The Delegation were then joined by Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s political team for a wide ranging discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing progressive governments around the world. This broad discussion in Downing Street’s State Dining Room, over tea and biscuits, served as a special capstone on McKell’s inaugural UK program.
The McKell Institute would like to thank all of those who provided such gracious hospitality to the delegation.
For those interested in participating in future programs, reach out to Annika Rees, Director of Events on annika@mckellinstitute.org.au
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