With the party adjusting to life in opposition, the emphasis shifted from rhetoric to policy. The themes on show were restoring fiscal discipline, stimulating growth and supporting devolution.
Business Rates Relief and Public Spending Control
Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride set out a headline policy to abolish business rates for pubs, shops and leisure venues, replacing them with a full 100 per cent relief. The measure, expected to cost around £4 billion, would be funded through £47 billion in public spending reductions.
Stride said the change would remove an unfair burden on high street businesses competing with online retailers. The British Chambers of Commerce and the CBI both welcomed the proposal, describing it as a long-awaited reform that could revitalise town centres and create a fairer commercial environment.
Funding for the reform would come primarily from welfare, civil service and overseas aid reductions, with Stride presenting the package as part of a broader effort to “get public spending under control”. He argued that credible, costed plans were essential if the Conservatives were to rebuild economic confidence and restore business trust.
Support for Young Workers and Home Ownership
Stride also unveiled a “First Job Bonus” aimed at supporting young people entering full-time work. Under the proposal, workers could divert part of their National Insurance contributions into personal savings accounts, building up to £5,000 to put towards a first home or long-term investment.
The plan is designed to reward work, promote financial responsibility and help younger generations build assets. The Conservatives describe the measure as a modern equivalent of traditional savings schemes, linking contribution with opportunity.
Housing Policy: Removing Obstacles to Supply
Housing policy remains a core focus for the party. Shadow Housing Secretary Sir James Cleverly pledged to streamline planning processes and reduce regulatory burdens that he said were holding back delivery. He argued that owning a home “should not be a luxury” and said the party would focus on freeing up land, accelerating approvals and removing barriers to smaller builders.
Cleverly also called for new incentives to encourage older homeowners to downsize, freeing up family homes and increasing market fluidity. He contrasted the Conservatives’ record of 2.5 million homes delivered since 2010 with London’s underperformance, noting that only 5,000 homes are expected to be built this year against an 85,000 target.
Kemi Badenoch also unveiled the party’s commitment to abolish stamp duty should they return to government, saving this as a flagship policy announcement during her final speech of the conference.
Energy and Infrastructure Policy
The party’s proposal to repeal the 2008 Climate Change Act and replace it with an “energy sovereignty” strategy drew mixed reactions across industry. Supporters welcomed the emphasis on affordable and reliable power, while critics warned that removing the current legal framework without a clear replacement could undermine investor confidence.
Industry groups have urged the Conservatives to provide clarity on what would replace the Climate Change Committee’s role in setting carbon budgets. Many stressed the importance of regulatory consistency for long-term infrastructure and clean energy investment.
Despite the controversy, there was consensus that energy affordability and supply security will remain central to future economic growth. Business leaders called for policy continuity to support low-carbon infrastructure while keeping costs manageable for consumers and industry.
Devolution and Transport Reform
Devolution and transport featured heavily throughout the conference. Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden criticised Labour’s rail nationalisation policy, arguing that it risks damaging effective concession models already operating in Liverpool and London. He and Shadow Rail Minister Jerome Mayhew both stressed the need to protect the independence of the Office of Rail and Road as an economic regulator, particularly on open-access operations.
At a joint ACE and AECOM event, Paul Bristow, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, joined members to discuss how industry can work with Mayoral Combined Authorities to accelerate devolved transport projects. The discussion focused on how the consultancy and infrastructure sectors can help turn policy commitments into delivery through innovation, local expertise and partnership.
The themes of fiscal restraint, business reform and regional partnership dominated the agenda.
For the infrastructure and business community, the key message was collaboration. The party signalled support for public–private partnership, a stronger role for Combined Authorities and a regulatory environment that rewards delivery.
As the Conservatives seek to redefine themselves in opposition, the emphasis is shifting toward a developed policy platform rather than political slogans. Growth, investment and devolution are being recast as shared priorities between government and industry. The challenge for any future administration will be to turn these ambitions into action.
