As Prime Minister Andy Burnham hosts his first Labour Party Conference, Bacta President Joseph Cullis and Director of Communications Allaster Gair are heading to Liverpool as part of the trade association’s extensive political engagement programme. Bacta will be meeting with multiple MPs, Ministers, Special Advisers and Civil Servants presenting a raft of evidence-led economic, social impact and lived experience business arguments to demonstrate how an increase in MGD will result in a decrease in tax revenues and wipe-out businesses in every constituency.

Bacta President Joseph Cullis and Director of Communications Allaster Gair will be part of the anticipated 15,000+ attendees at the 2026 Labour Party Annual Conference taking place at the ACC Liverpool Conference Venue (27-30 September). 

The Conference, which is the first under the leadership of Prime Minister Andy Burnham, continues Bacta’s political engagement programme which saw the organisation attend the Reform UK Conference during the first week of September and will include the Conservative Party Conference taking place across 4th -7th October.

Previewing what will be the last major event to engage with politicians ahead of the Autumn Budget which will be delivered by Chancellor John Healey on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, Joseph Cullis said: “Bacta will be at the Labour Party Conference armed with a raft of evidence-led economic, social impact and lived experience business arguments to demonstrate how an increase in MGD will result in a decrease in tax revenues, will wipe-out businesses on the high street and at the coast as well as jeopardising the future of many thousands of pubs, members clubs and bingo halls.

“We will be meeting with multiple MPs, Ministers, Special Advisers and Civil Servants as well as trade and strategic bodies representing the broadly based leisure business economy. The focus for Bacta will be the Business Day taking place Monday 28 September when the Chancellor’s Speech will outline the government’s macroeconomic strategy. The Leader’s Speech, taking place the following day will outline the government’s broader political, societal, and industrial policies. Both days will sign-post the direction of travel. 

Bacta will also be participating in the Labour Party’s Fringe Programme which includes sessions dedicated to local regeneration, tackling rogue traders, high street revitalisation, retail crime, and gambling reform.