DirectorsUKatLabourConference2026

Directors UK Director of Communications and Public Affairs Victoria Morris and Public Affairs Manager Dougie Brown (pictured above) arrived at the Labour Party Conference looking to understand the priorities of a Government with a new Prime Minister and a refreshed cabinet. The week offered an opportunity to both listen and make our case on the issues that matter most to directors, including freelancer protections, artificial intelligence, and the future of public service media. Through meetings, events and other discussions, we pushed to ensure the interests of directors remained part of the conversation. 

What We Heard from the Government 

The Prime Minister’s maiden conference speech provided an early indication of the Government’s priorities. While the Creative Industries did not feature in his speech, measures aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures will be welcomed by many directors, who often work freelance and are particularly exposed to economic uncertainty 

Artificial Intelligence, by contrast, was impossible to ignore at conference; AI Minister Kanishka Narayan claimed to have participated in 67 engagements across the week. Yet despite AI’s visibility, copyright rarely featured in the discussion, except when raised by representatives from the creative industries. We have recently written to the Minister highlighting the importance of transparency around AI training and requested a meeting.   

A similar theme emerged from Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy’s speech, which was heavily focussed on technology, online safety and opportunities for young people. While she highlighted investment in arts and culture, as well as the importance of Britain's film and television sector, the speech reflected a broader conference trend in which digital policy and technological change often took centre stage.

Making the Case for Directors 

Against this backdrop, we continued to make the case for directors throughout conference. At a Public Service Media reception, we spoke with representatives from the BBC and government about the Charter Review and Media Green Paper, highlighting the importance of well-funded public service media and ensuring UK-made content is prominent and discoverable. During the event, Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, made a plea for public service broadcasters to do more to improve representation in commissioning, both in terms of where they work and who they work with. 

We also engaged with one of the new Freelancer Champions, Lizzie Crump. While she was not attending the conference in her official capacity, our conversations gave us an opportunity to highlight the needs of directors, who overwhelmingly work on a freelance basis. Over the coming weeks we will be meeting the Freelance Champions in their formal capacity to discuss the reforms needed to better support freelancers  

At a session hosted by the Motion Picture Association (MPA), we raised concerns that the shift towards “fewer, bigger” productions is reducing opportunities for directors to hone their craft in the early and mid-stages of their careers. This was raised with Culture, Media and Sport Committee members Rupa Huq MP, Natasha Irons MP. We also met Simon Opher MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Creative Health; Lord Brennan; Baroness Dinah Caine and others.  

These were just a few of the many conversations we held with MPs and Peers throughout the week. Over the coming months, we will build on these relationships, briefing parliamentarians on the issues affecting directors and encouraging them to champion those concerns in Parliament and across Government 

We also met with Social Market Foundation – a Cross-Party think-tank – to discuss their new report about the consequences of removing the BBC licence fee. The meeting provided an opportunity to brief the organisation ahead of its discussions with the BBC and DCMS, highlighting the vital role directors play in the screen sector, the importance of a well-funded BBC, and our concerns about maintaining opportunities for freelancers 

Conference also provided an opportunity to connect with partners across the wider creative industries. We discussed with the Campaign for the Arts about how they could do more to promote filmmaking as an artform, and regularly engaged with colleagues from DACS, ALCS and other creative organisations. 

A fresh face in Downing Street brings new opportunities for engagement. The conversations started in Liverpool will continue in the months ahead as the Government’s agenda takes shape. Directors are at the heart of the screen sector, and we will continue to make sure policymakers are in no doubt of that.