Arden Strategies

One week since polling day... and what a busy 7 days it's been for Arden Strategies, and our founder Jim Murphy!      With decades of experience campaigning and in newsrooms, the Arden team can provide comms support that understands the intersection between business, politics and the media.    If you're looking for an agency that combines it's understanding of the news cycle with its political nous to secure cut-through for your message, get in touch at press@ardenstrategies.com 

We’re delighted to welcome Holly Lynch to Arden!    Holly was the Labour MP for Halifax between 2015 and 2024 and served as the Opposition’s Deputy Chief Whip and Shadow Security Minister.    As a Senior Strategist, Holly will provide invaluable insight into the new government for our corporate clients, as well as focusing on defence, security and technology policy.     Our CEO Jim Murphy is thrilled that Holly has joined.   “She is a clear and strategic thinker who is highly respected by everyone in the Labour leadership. No-one outside of Parliament knows more about Labour’s MPs than Holly and she will provide brilliant counsel to our clients.”     Holly says she always admired our work when she was in politics.   “Arden is renowned as a firm with momentum and creativity. I’m really excited about getting started in helping to build new relationships between business and political leaders.” 

Our CEO Jim Murphy yesterday evening on Sky's Politics Hub with Sophy Ridge, discussing Labour's plans for growth and the international challenges the newly elected party will face. Catch the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/eUKEhbkN

What does it feel like to be elected as a new MP as part of a landslide victory? So much has changed for this generation of new MPs. Back in ‘97 the parliamentary hairdressers were male only, the PA teleprinter spilled reams of paper across carpeted floors every time England scored a run in the Ashes, and Parliament had no visible armed guards. For most, every day will be different. On my first day as an MP I got a message on my pager asking me to call a number I didn’t know. It was the Downing Street switchboard. I hung up thinking I had the wrong number. Over on X/Twitter, I've pulled together 17 lessons and tips for the new MPs arriving in Westminster today, based on my memories of being elected unexpectedly for the first time in that 1997 win. Check them out here: https://lnkd.in/eemrHbWc

"For the first time in years Scotland and Scottish MPs will be at the heart of the UK government. Our MPs will no longer just be shouting from the side lines as the SNP have done. And for too long Scotland has had two governments - one Tory and one SNP – who were happiest when they were shouting at one another. They rarely spoke, and never listened, to one another. Labour’s victory will be an opportunity to reset those relationships." Read Jim Murphy's thoughts on what the Labour landslide means for Scotland in the Daily Record.   https://lnkd.in/eAjZqVFG 

'I would anticipate the Scottish Labour Party taking a leaf out of the British Labour Party's book, and asking a simple question – "is anything working in better in Scotland today than it was 19 years ago?" If not, why re-elect the people that have been in power for almost two decades?' Jim Murphy on 2026 Scottish Parliament elections on Times Radio this weekend. Listen to the full conversation here: https://lnkd.in/eJjAJxs9

"The SNP lost much more than 38 seats this week; it also forfeited something less tangible but also strategically important - momentum". Our CEO Jim Murphy writes in The Times this weekend. https://lnkd.in/eB-CqjEy

"The SNP lost much more than 38 seats this week; it also forfeited something less tangible but also strategically important - momentum". Our CEO Jim Murphy writes in The Times this weekend. https://lnkd.in/eB-CqjEy

"For those who say that the Reform vote is just a protest vote I think they do a disservice, they underestimate it, it's more substantial and it requires much deeper thinking." Our CEO Jim Murphy overnight on BBC Scotland discussing the rise of Reform UK:

I’ll be in the BBC studios for election coverage from 11pm tonight for 14 hours.   So, if you’re at an election count and have intel on how any constituency contest is going anywhere in the UK then do let me know at any time overnight.   You can do so in four different ways: DM me on X @GlasgowMurphy Comment on this post Email me at info@ardenstrategies.com Or if you already have my mobile number then drop me a text