We now know who will form the next UK government. Starmer will head into the weekend leading a Labour government with a sizable parliamentary majority. However, while the most likely outcome of the election has been predicted for some time, there will still be business-critical lessons to learn from the results and the approach, we can expect the incoming government to take.

In this Flint Podcast, our experts explore these questions and what they mean for businesses and investors. They consider the personnel of the new government as ministerial appointments begin, how Labour will prioritise and make decisions in its early days, and what in practice Labour policy and the ‘Mission Boards’ they want to establish to achieve it are likely to look like. Considering the longer term, they will also cover what impact backbenchers and the opposition parties will have over the Parliament, and how constraints in fiscal policy and the House of Lords will be managed. 

Next week a new Government is expected to form in the most significant change of political leadership since 2010. This will, of course, have major implications for any business or investor in markets where there is a government interest. For many, it will mean a need to build new relationships and shift messaging. For some, it will mean new risks to manage, or new opportunities to grab.   

Our political experts explore what clients need to be prepared for after election day. Focusing on the practical, covering the likely choreography of the formation of a new government and its early steps, what messaging will get the best reception, and how to ensure these cut through with new ministers swamped with requests. 

The discussion is chaired by Flint Partner, Katie Waring, former Special Adviser to the Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey, and joined by former Labour minister Siôn Simon, former Permanent Secretary, Dame Sue Owen, and former Chief of Staff to the First Minister of Scotland, Liz Lloyd.

Following a crushing defeat at the European election on 9 June, President Macron called a snap parliamentary election that will take place in two rounds on 30 June and 7 July.

The result is uncertain but is likely to represent a watershed moment for French and European politics, with the far-right set to become the biggest party in the National Assembly.

The election raises big questions for business on matters such as the political and economic stability in France and in the Eurozone, and on France’s influence at the EU level and internationally.

The discussion is chaired by Flint Director Francois-Joseph Schichan, and joined by:

• Anne-Juliette Rohrbach, Flint Partner and Managing Director of Flint France
• David Wright, Flint Specialist Partner and former deputy director general of DG FISMA at the European Commission
• Thomas Barros-Tastets, Flint Partner and COO for Europe

Last week, the UK’s three major parties launched their manifestos, setting out their policy pitch to voters. With the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives both a significant way behind in the polls, Labour’s was closely watched. Firstly, for the indications, it gives of what a Labour Government would do in power, and second, for any signs of unforced errors as the finish line nears. 

Our expert panel covers what they mean for the remainder of the campaign, what businesses need to be ready for in the early days of the next government, and what we should expect over the next parliament.
 
Hosted by Flint Partner, Katie Waring, former Special Adviser to the Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey, and joined by:

• Former Labour Home Secretary Jacqui Smith
• Former Labour minister Siôn Simon
• Former Conservative Special Adviser James Hedgeland

With Labour’s Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves indicating she would wait for new fiscal forecasts before a post-election Budget eyes now turn to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). Their take on the UK’s economic prospects and what different party’s plans will mean for growth will play a critical role in determining the decisions the next Chancellor can take. As manifestos are finalised - each party’s expectations for the fiscal room for manoeuvre they will have will also impact their overall ambition.

To explore what this likely means, Flint Partner, Jon Sell, a former senior civil servant in the Treasury is joined by Andy King, former member of the OBR’s executive ‘Budget Responsibility Committee’, and Giles Wilkes, former government Special Adviser on economic policy.

As part of our coverage of the EU’s 2024 transition, this episode will discuss the EU’s external actions in an increasingly fragmented geopolitical environment.

In recent years, the war in Ukraine, global supply chain disruptions and growing trade tensions with both China and the US have profoundly shaken the EU’s belief in a multilateral, rules-based international order. As the continent approaches the June 2024 European Parliament elections and the start of a new Commission mandate, a growing number of voices are calling on the EU to fundamentally review its approach by putting issues such as defence, economic security and enlargement at the top of its post-2024 agenda. Yet these new ambitions also face obstacles inherent to the EU system, from diverging national interests to limited competencies in e.g. defence and budgetary spending.

To explore these debates and shed light on their potential impact on business, Flint Director Julia Quintella will host:

• Sir Julian King, Specialist Partner, former British Ambassador and former EU Commissioner for security
• Bruno Maçães, Senior Adviser, former Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs and author of several books on geopolitics, China, Russia and technology

Rishi Sunak’s unexpected decision to call an election in July raises many immediate questions for business on matters such as the process from here, the fate of legislation, government decision-making, and engagement with politicians and civil servants. In this episode, our experts shed light on this.

The discussion is chaired by Flint Partner, Kiran Horwich, and joined by Jacqui Smith, former Labour Home Secretary, Dame Sue Owen, former Permanent Secretary for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and Nikki da Costa, former No10 Director of Legislative Affairs.

Russian forces are on the offensive again. Putin has made significant changes to his defence and security team and is strengthening Russia’s relationship with China.  

In the West, US support has resumed after months of delays, but upcoming US and EU elections mean that long-term support will remain a challenge. Switzerland will host a peace conference next month, although it still seems unlikely that the war will end quickly. 

This episode examines these developments, what they mean for Ukraine and the geopolitical environment businesses operate.

Director Francois-Joseph Schichan, former French diplomat, will chair a discussion with:

• Sir Julian King, Specialist Partner, former British Ambassador and former EU Commissioner for security
• Alex White, Partner, former Chief Political Analyst at JP Morgan  
• Katie Whitting, Partner, former Australian diplomat 

Welcome to the latest Flint podcast episode. In this call experts assess the fallout from last week’s UK local elections, the last major electoral test before the general election.  

Flint Specialist Partners Sion Simon and Nikki Da Costa, join Partners Kiran Horwich and Matthew Hanney to examine the key results from the local and mayoral elections, the implications for the party leaders, and what all of this means for this year’s general election.