Leadership contest dominates the agenda at Conservative Party Conference

Brain Tumour Research

3 min read

Our Policy and Public Affairs Manager Thomas Brayford shares a personal view after attending the Conservative Party Conference.

It is safe to say that the Tory leadership race has dominated the agenda at this year’s Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham.

The Conference felt like an audition for the four prospective Tory leaders – Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, Robert Jenrick, and Tom Tugendhat.

The candidates focused most of their attention on the broader issues, but did find time to speak about health. Ms Badenoch said that she would conduct a review of the state, to fully assess the NHS. Mr Cleverly highlighted that the NHS was a fantastic service but needed to be sustainable, and that money should be shifted to early screening and prevention. Mr Jenrick stated that the NHS needed to reform, and that he’d be prepared to work with the Government to achieve this. Mr Tugendhat talked about stripping back regulation from the NHS and creating a better trained workforce.

By October 10^th, the candidates will be whittled down to two by the Conservative Parliamentary Party, after which Conservative Party members will then decide. The result will be announced by November 2^nd.

Brain Tumour Research's Thomas Brayford with a Cancer Research UK representative.

Perhaps the most interesting fringe event I attended at Conference was hosted by The Health and Care Forum, on the life sciences sector. The event, titled 'Boosting UK health and wealth through Life Sciences research', boasted a stellar panel of experts.

There was a consensus amongst the panellists, that by growing the life sciences sector, the UK’s health, and in turn its wealth, would also be boosted. Dr Janet Valentine, Executive Director of Innovation and Research at the ABPI, said that health data was key to unlocking the real potential of the Life Sciences. Dr Alicia Greated, Executive Director Campaign for Science and Engineering, urged organisations, charities, and politicians to make the case for research. She said: “We cannot be complacent. We need to make a compelling argument why more research needs to be done.”

George Freeman MP, who I later met to discuss Brain Tumour Research’s campaigning work, called for a radical localisation of integrated care. He said trials needed to be democratised and digitalised, and that we must understand the real cost of disease and the treatment of it.

Georgina Carr, CEO of the Neurological Alliance, said we have to create the right conditions to enable better and more equitable research for neurological conditions, including brain tumours. This could be achieved by involving people in the decision-making process.

Speaking at a Conference fringe event titled 'How to save the NHS', Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Victoria Atkins, criticised the rhetoric currently employed by the Government. She argued that the NHS, whilst requiring some reform, was not “broken”. She stated that such an attitude could be harmful for both patients and healthcare staff.

Thomas Brayford with Georgina Carr (left) and George Freeman MP (right).

Ms Atkins spoke about the importance of updating the NHS app, and expressed pride about the previous Government’s expansion of the app. She added that there was “a lot to be optimistic about” and expressed excitement about developments in the life sciences and medtech sectors. We later met with the Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care at the Heath Charity Showcase, where she spoke about the power of science. You can read more about it here.

Anna Quigley, Head of Health and Social Care at Ipsos, said that the public wants both reform and increased funding of the NHS, adding that the public is willing to pay more tax to see the NHS improved.

Conference also gave me an opportunity to catch up with colleagues from CRUK, Parkinson’s UK and the Neurological Alliance. Moreover, it was a chance to reconnect with supportive politicians.

All in all, it’s been a busy few weeks of campaigning. Good conversations have been had but these conversations must continue, be reflected on and acted upon, to bring about better outcomes for brain tumour patients.