Senior Labour figures including Angela Rayner and the party’s top official will join hundreds of activists, MPs and councillors to celebrate the best small business and community work at a gala awards ceremony.
Rayner, the deputy leader, and David Evans, the general secretary, Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London will be among the speakers at the SME4Labour and Labour Excellence Awards.
The flagship event, which takes place in London on Monday 8th of November, is a chance to recognise the work carried out by innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The Labour Excellence Awards will highlight the work of the most successful trade unions, shadow cabinet ministers, MPs, peers, councils and party affiliates.
Other top figures from all parts of the UK have been invited to attend including Sir Keir Starmer, Welsh first minister Mark Drakeford, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and regional mayors Andy Burnham, Tracy Brabin, Dan Norris, Marvin Jones, Steve Rotherham and other directly elected Mayors.
Ibrahim Dogus, a restaurateur and co-chair of SME4Labour, said the dual event on November 8 was a chance to focus on the best of the party and the country after the turmoil caused by the pandemic.
“Our innovative SMEs are the lifeblood of the real economy while Labour councils, party groups and trade unions represent the very best of our commitment to public services and providing opportunity for the many.
“Over the last 18 months they have all faced an unprecedented set of challenges caused by Covid-19 and multiple lockdowns.
“Just as they came together, however, to support out communities, then we will come together for one evening to honour their work.”
Supporters of the dinner include Community Union, Enterprise Cars, Galliard Homes, CIMA, South East Asians for Labour, Kurds for Labour, Labour Business, Unite the Union, GMB Union and Tamils for Labour.
Organisers have teamed up with LabourList as the media partner.
Tickets have now gone on sale for the event, which takes place at the Park Plaza Westminster Hotel.
If you want to sponsor a table or an award at this flagship event then find out more here: Sponsorship Proposal
To book your tickets or a table of 10 click here
Endorsements
It’s vitally important that Labour has informed and constructive discussion on areas of policy which impact upon SMEs, and that we bring SME employees and owners into the Labour Party. I’d therefore like to extend my thanks to SME4Labour, for all the work you do to achieve this.
Thankfully, small businesses have a real champion with SME4Labour – who perform a vital role in integrating local business into the rich tapestry of our Labour movement and celebrating their work.
I am pleased to support SME4Labour who have proven to be a strong voice for small businesses within our Party by making sure their views are represented to elected members and campaigning on progressive policy proposals.
I am delighted to endorse SME4Labour as the voice of small SMEs in our party- connecting business people and Labour members and championing pragmatic and progressive policies for businesses.
Stephen Timms MP’s Message of Support for SME4Labour
SMEs are the lifeblood of our economy. They play a crucial role as innovators. They recruit far more unemployed people into jobs than large firms do. We will depend on them even more as we aim to recover from the pandemic. Labour policy needs to reflect their needs and concerns as we prepare a programme [...]
Kim Johnson MP’s Message of Support for SME4Labour
As the MP for the heart of the city of Liverpool, I know just how valuable SMEs are in creating wealth in our region, and helping boost our visitor economy. Yet the pandemic has shown that so many of our independent retailers, creatives, hospitality businesses and their supply chains have been overlooked when it comes [...]
Jackie Baillie MSP’ Message of Support for SME4Labour
SME4Labour do fantastic work as a strong voice for small and medium-sized businesses across the length and breadth of Britain. Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities and many have really stepped up to the mark during the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses in my local area, as well as across the country, have dedicated their [...]
John Healey MP’s Message of Support for SME4Labour
Labour’s determination to see British investment directed first to British industry is fundamental to our approach on defence and security. SME4Labour helps put SMEs in the forefront of Labour’s economic thinking. With 7,500 SMEs working in the UK defence supply chain, these firms central to UK defence and security – innovating and creating skilled jobs [...]
Rebecca Evans MS’ Message of Support for SME4Labour
Well done to SME4Labour for everything that you are doing to raise the profile of the importance of SMEs, and for encouraging debate and fresh thinking about how Labour can best help SMEs to thrive. In Wales, the Welsh Labour Government recognises the value of our SMEs to our economy. We have proved that Labour [...]