SME4Labour Annual Gala Dinner
Venue: Park Lane Sheraton Hotel, Piccadilly
Attendance: 400+ guests, including over 60 Labour MPs and peers

The SME4Labour Gala Dinner, held at the prestigious Park Lane Sheraton Hotel in Piccadilly, was attended by over 400 guests. This included more than 60 Labour MPs and peers—among them several members of the Shadow Cabinet—as well as mayors, local councillors, trade union leaders, and prominent figures from the business community.

The evening’s keynote address was delivered by Rebecca Long-Bailey MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, who underscored the Labour Party’s commitment to building an economy that works for all. She also presented the Shadow Cabinet Member of the Year award to Angela Rayner MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Education.

Other speakers included:

• Bill Esterson MP, Shadow Minister for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

• Iain McNicol, General Secretary of the Labour Party

• Stephen Kinnock MP

• Tim Roache, General Secretary of the GMB

All commended SME4Labour for its vital work promoting the interests of SMEs and the self-employed within the Labour movement.

Although unable to attend in person, Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn shared a message of support:

“SME4Labour provides small businesses with a way to have their voices heard, which are too often drowned out by larger companies and corporations. I’d like to thank and congratulate my colleagues in the SME4Labour team for their contribution to an economic policy that works for the many, not the few.”

Ibrahim Dogus, Co-Chairman of SME4Labour, addressed the audience:

“When we win, SMEs and the self-employed will be at the heart of Labour’s programme, because they mean so much to the future prosperity of the country. I am delighted that SME4Labour is playing its part. We have exciting plans for next year, and I hope you will join with us.”

The evening was generously sponsored by First Premier, Bira London, Cobra Beer, and Cheviot Capital.

Presenters:

• Cllr Aysha Raza, London Borough of Ealing

• Jos Bell, author, NHS campaigner, and disability spokesperson

Entertainment was provided by musician Paul Stanworth (accompanied by Andrew Hyldon) and singer Hadis Ayoubi (accompanied by her band).