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Reposted by Rebecca Montacute

Social Market Foundation @smfthinktank.bsky.social · 18h

We had a great time at Labour conference earlier this week. It was a jam-packed few days in Liverpool, with 11 events bringing together politicians, researchers and organisations to discuss some of the biggest policy questions facing Britain. A huge thank you to all of our speakers and partners.

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 23h

Off to Birmingham this weekend for my third (the SMF's 5th) conference of the season ⬇️

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

What a great few days at Labour conference in Liverpool - I've got so much to take away/think through, particularly when it comes to tackling the NEET crisis, which really felt like the theme of this year (I heard the upcoming Milburn review termed the "hottest drop of the season")

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

That was overall very good vs any leaders speech I've ever watched live tbh - so much emotion

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Two big pain points (although both in varying ways delayed) - social care reform and abolishing the triple lock (sort of) - also electoral reform but really depends what on earth is meant there/a commission could kick down the road for a long time.

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Immigration was the only place I didn't feel his emotion/it's the same general Labour vibe of - we get some (other) people have concerns about this and are trying to understand them, but don't have them personally (& in some ways more noticeable given how well the emotion was done elsewhere)

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I will say I appreciate a man crying in big moments/emotion is important and positive!

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

That sounds like nothing new on education/skills (pre Milburn response anyway)

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

My major thought watching this so far is wow - you can really feel that Burnham cares about this stuff. I'm not at all saying other recent PMs haven't, but it's so strongly communicated here.

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

"I'm going to give you a real speech/patriot in me tell me a tubthumping speech isn't what's needed" - interested to see where this goes

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Great session by the @coalitionedcare.bsky.social earlier on reforming childcare to tackle child poverty - optimistic for change in this space re the entitlements in the long term (fingers crossed)

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Really enjoyed the discussion this morning on two of the biggest policy questions facing politicians - how to reform the council tax and social care systems - looking forward to seeing what ends up being said re social care this afternoon 👀 @jimdickson.bsky.social @smfthinktank.bsky.social

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Reposted by Rebecca Montacute

Social Market Foundation @smfthinktank.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Social care has been one of the hottest topics of this year's Labour conference, join us tomorrow morning for a discussion on options for both social care and council tax reform ⬇️

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

If you ever wondered what a day at party conference looks like on a Garmin watch 😭 only 20,400 steps which could have been worse...?

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Don't threaten me with a good time (god can you imagine please let this happen*)

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Packed room for our event on NEETs and young people's mental health this morning - main takeaway, we need to do so much more to make sure the wider preventative support (e.g. access to extracurriculars/youth clubs etc) is there for young people to build confidence before they enter the workplace.

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Come join us in an hour for this important discussion on the NEETs crisis and how we can better support young people's MH (the room is in the big exhibition/stall area in the secure zone/quite easy to spot!)

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Good morning from Liverpool and a beautiful early morning run

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

First @smfthinktank.bsky.social event of Labour party conference, an in conversation with Chief Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds MP.

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Our first conference event at Labour kicks off at 2pm today, just across the road from the conference centre ☺️

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Reposted by Rebecca Montacute

Social Market Foundation @smfthinktank.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

🚨SMF at Labour Party Conference🚨 How can Labour deliver growth while maintaining sound public finances and improving living standards? Join SMF for a conversation with Chief Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds, to discuss the choices that will shape Britain’s future.

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Join us on Monday for an important conversation on the NEET crisis and young people's mental health (an event we're hosting across multiple party conferences this conference season) ⬇️

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Reposted by Rebecca Montacute

Social Market Foundation @smfthinktank.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Wes Streeting has been at the heart of Labour's defining moments this year. Next Tuesday, the Defence Secretary joins SMF Director @theobertram.bsky.social for a frank conversation on reaching 3.5%, beating Reform, and the big questions on health and defence. See you at #Lab26!

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

🫠🫠🫠 (whisper it, maybe net zero is important)

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Really excited for this discussion on options for both council tax and social care reform (two of the trickiest issues in policy, so a light start to a Tuesday morning!)

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

It's so important we protect the BBC as an asset for all of us. We have new research out today (with work by @jamiegollings.bsky.social and @gideonsalutin.bsky.social) looking at what we would lose if the BBC lost public funding, as well as options to secure its funding into the long-term ⬇️

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Taylor Swift has got to stop releasing things during party conference season.

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Reposted by Rebecca Montacute

Social Market Foundation @smfthinktank.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

🚨 NEW EVENT🚨 On Sunday, we're delighted to kick off our packed Labour Party Conference events programme with a conversation with Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Emma Reynolds MP See our full conference programme 👇️ buff.ly/DIHP6pe

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I need to inform everyone that Sky has made a "war game" show with ex-politicians (with Gove as the PM) about a simulated attack from Russia - is this about to be the best or worst TV I've ever seen??

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Reposted by Rebecca Montacute

Social Market Foundation @smfthinktank.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Another packed event earlier today for our discussion on the NEET crisis and mental health support at Liberal Democrat party conference. In partnership with Policy@Manchester

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Reposted by Rebecca Montacute

Tristan Cork @tristancorkpost.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Bristol teenagers in mental health crisis have to be sent to Cornwall, Plymouth or Bournemouth. Here👇🏼 the mum of one of those kids raises worrying concerns about the standard of care Bristol teens receive, as well as the challenges that distance creates www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...

bristolpost.co.uk

Bristol mum's hell as teen placed 150 miles away for mental health care

Her son was sectioned but had to be sent to Bournemouth

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Going to attempt to run at all 3 party conferences I go to in the next 3 weeks - first up a beautiful morning run by the sea in Brighton.

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

A sunny kick off to my conference season, Brighton for Lib Dem conference ☀️

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Reposted by Rebecca Montacute

Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Do join if you're at Liberal Democrat party conference next week (and we'll be hosting the same event at Labour and Conservative conferences as well) -

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

The double glazing has blown on two of my windows after the heat of this summer (both south facing) - another to add to the list of climate change costs....

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Reposted by Rebecca Montacute

Social Market Foundation @smfthinktank.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

We'll be at Liberal Democrat party conference on Monday next week, with events on fraud, the UK's AI skills gap, tackling the NEET crisis and building energy and climate resilience. You can find full details of our programme here ⬇️

smf.co.uk

Liberal Democrat Conference | Social Market Foundation

See the Social Market Foundation's full programme of fringe events for Liberal Democrat Party Conference 2026.

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Reposted by Rebecca Montacute

Social Market Foundation @smfthinktank.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

🚨NEW BRIEFING🚨 Cracking down on crime will be key to whether Andy Burnham meets his ‘Makerfield test’. New analysis shows England & Wales spends less than France, Germany and Italy on policing – spending which could have helped 113k more crimes result in a charge or summons.

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Do join if you're at Liberal Democrat party conference next week (and we'll be hosting the same event at Labour and Conservative conferences as well) -

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Reposted by Rebecca Montacute

Erik Angner @erikangner.com · 14/09/2026

Good morning from Sweden 🇸🇪 where people have suffered the biggest electoral nail biter that I can remember 🧵

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Exit poll in the Swedish election has the opposition (Social Democrats/Greens etc) as the largest block with the Tidö block fairly far behind - if that's right then we won't be seeing Swedish Democrat (far right party) ministers for the first time.

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Amazes me that for less than £20 you can get tickets on the day to great seats to watch some of the best female footballers in the world e.g. Russo, Kelly, Williamson etc (it won't last but I'm enjoying it while it does!)

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

I quite enjoy this (because I'm a running nerd) - it is depressing though that my first thought was god what must the security operation be on this (the answer from the TV coverage seems to be several large men with backpacks running around him)

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

I've been watching Swedish political party TikToks all through the election campaign and the Swedish political parties are just better at short form video vs the UK's atm (although lots of parties here are getting better)

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

It's Sweden's general election tomorrow - which looks like it will be close between the red-green block (currently in opposition) and the governing "Tidö" block (centre right moderates, far right Sweden Democrats and the liberal party)

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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

I'll be at Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative party conferences this year (starting the marathon from next weekend) - very happy to meet for coffees etc across the three 😊

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Reposted by Rebecca Montacute

Social Market Foundation @smfthinktank.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

We welcome the government's announcement today to establish a class unit within the Office for Equality and Opportunity -

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