Party conference 2025 round-up

We met with Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Liberal Democrat, Conservative and Labour parties and asked them to help secure:

• a fairer and kinder Personal Independence Payment (PIP) system
• a boosted NHS Parkinson’s specialist workforce in England.

We also asked MPs and local councillors to work with us to achieve consistent, more efficient and fair Blue Badge policies.

We explained the issues and discussed actions with MPs, councillors and ministers in meetings at the conferences. We asked questions at events on welfare and health. At the Labour conference, we even co-hosted our own fringe event with the Neurological Alliance and the MS Society. 

Through all of these events, we were able to get our messages across and secure commitments to act. 

The power of the Parkinson’s community

Party conference season was particularly fruitful this year with lots of new relationships forged with MPs and local councillors. 

Every one of the meetings was positive as they’ve agreed to take actions on one or more of our areas of work. This was in large part thanks to the unique influence of the volunteers who spoke so openly about their lived experience and what needs to change in the NHS and with PIP. 

Not only did the MPs agree to raise these issues in Parliament, we also:

• signed up 4 new members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Parkinson’s
• gained support from backbench MPs as well as government and opposition ministers to work with us and their constituents to feed into the Timms Review of PIP
• secured commitments from MPs to work on a cross-party basis on a debate on the NHS Parkinson’s specialist workforce.

We could not have made the impact that we did without the passion and openness of the community members who attended the conferences with us in order to tell their stories.

Making an impact

Nicky and Richard came to the Conservative conference with us in Manchester. 

Nicky said at the end of the event: 

“We are going away feeling we had a fun couple of days - full days, hard work and really stimulating.” 

“I feel we were heard. I was most impressed with the MPs that agreed to meet with us. We got our position over well and I feel things will happen. I look forward to seeing what happens as a result.”

Jo, who cares for her Dad with Parkinson’s and shared his journey with the condition at our fringe meeting at Labour, said: 

“My aim was to contribute towards making things better so that everyone receives the care and treatment they deserve, regardless of their background, where they live, or whether they have someone to advocate for them. 

“I believe that people should be seen as whole individuals and not just an illness, and that carers should be recognised and valued for their knowledge and contributions.”

Ann, who cares for her husband Colin who lives with Parkinson’s, attended the Liberal Democrat conference and said: 

“[The Parkinson’s UK staff] who were with us were an enormous help. 

"We never felt in any way nervous, they kept us at our ease and so we were able to talk to MPs about our lived experience. We are the ones that know and that authority gave us confidence.”  

Now is the time for action

After lots of great conversations with MPs, councillors and ministers, it’s time for action.

We’re currently sharing briefings, photos and press releases with those we met and will continue to work with them to improve Parkinson’s services, whether in Parliament or locally in their council.

We will update on progress as we have it.