Arden Strategies

18/07/2025

On Monday, we co-hosted our Summer Reception with the Fabian Society - an evening that brought together leaders from across politics, business, unions, and civil society to reflect on a transformative year and look ahead to the future of progressive policymaking.

From the stunning setting of the Corinthia Hotel, our founder and Executive Chair Jim Murphy opened the evening with reflections on a year of political and economic transformation, and the opportunities ahead.

We were honoured to welcome Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, whose keynote set the tone for a night of thoughtful discussion and shared ambition.

Thank you to everyone who joined us - and to our brilliant team and our colleagues at the Fabians for making it all happen! 🌟

24/05/2024

It’s election time, and politicians love putting on a hard hat and hi-vis!

If you’re thinking of hosting a visit, what makes it a success? Our CEO, Jim Murphy, has been involved in a fair number (successful and less so!) and offers his advice

The PM's first campaign stops have not gone as smoothly as he might have hoped. Arden's CEO, Jim Murphy, sets out what makes a successful election visit.

14/05/2024

Labour’s five missions are a central pillar running through their political strategy.

We explore the significance of this 'mission-driven government' approach and what it means for businesses, industries and charities who want to engage with Labour.

Labour's missions set out their vision and aspirations - businesses who want to engage with Labour need to articulate how they can contribute to their delivery.

29/04/2024

After Humza Yousaf’s resignation announcement today, the Scottish political landscape looks more uncertain than it has in decades.

With Scotland set to have its third SNP First Minister in four years, who - and what - might come next?

Humza Yousaf's resignation as FM has businesses, voters and parliamentarians alike will asking, what on earth comes next? We look at the possibilities.

25/04/2024

The SNP-Green coalition in the Scottish Parliament has ended acrimoniously and we are in unknown territory.

The FM's coalition partners of this morning are this evening threatening to vote against him in a vote of no confidence.

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The SNP-Green coalition has ended acrimoniously. The FM faces an uncertain future as his former partners are threatening to vote against him in an upcoming vote of no confidence.

25/04/2024

The date might not yet be decided, but a General Election is on the horizon. Over the next few weeks, we will be examining what the vote will mean from the perspective of each of the regions and nations of the UK.

First up, what is the backdrop to the vote in Northern Ireland - and what will the outcome mean for the rest of the nations of the UK?

With a General Election on the horizon, what is the backdrop to the vote in Northern Ireland - and what will the outcome mean for the rest of the nations of the UK?

27/03/2024

As Scotland’s First Minister marks his first year in office many commentators will remark that he has had a terrible start to his period in Bute House.

Jim Murphy sets out why that is unfair on Humza Yousaf.

As Scotland’s Humza Yousaf ends his first year in office commentators will remark that he has had a terrible start as First Minister. That would be unfair.

20/03/2024

As Vaughan Gething is today officially confirmed as the new First Minister of Wales, we discuss what his victory means for Keir Starmer and UK Labour – and explain why Gething is a man in a hurry.

Vaughan Gething, the new FM of Wales, is a man in a hurry - determined to establish himself with the public, reunite his Party, distinguish himself from his predecessor, and help Labour win. He’ll have to do much of it this year.

15/03/2024

‘Better the devil you know’?

In the final instalment of our When Will the Election Be? series, we weigh up the possibility that Rishi Sunak will hold out until early 2025 for the date of the next election - perhaps in the hope that he can convince voters that it’s a case of ‘better the devil you know’

The right to choose the General Election date is one of the advantages that the PM enjoys. Here we weigh up the possibility that Rishi Sunak will hold out until 2025 for the next election.

14/03/2024

Will the PM be making a trip to the Palace next week, as Labour strategists are speculating, or is an autumn election more likely?

This week our series When Will the Election Be? sets out Rishi Sunak’s options for the date of the next election and the factors that might influence his decision.

The right to choose the General Election date is one of the advantages that Rishi Sunak enjoys in the coming campaign. Here we consider an autumn 2024 election.