Lib Dem members decide on policy at Conference. Some of the policy motions are submitted by members or by local parties, but some of motions are the result of a quite long drawn out process carried out by Policy Working Groups.  Typically these working groups spend around 18 months gathering evidence and ideas and then carrying out informal consultations, before putting together a detailed report and Conference motion. There is more information about how all this works here.

Every so often the Federal Policy Committee puts out a call for members of new Policy Working Groups. They are looking for people with expertise in the areas of interest – as professionals, academics, service users or with other relevant life experiences.

Currently the Federal Policy Committee is trying to recruit members to two new working groups, one looking at Mental Health and the other at High Streets and Town Centres.

The Mental Health Policy Working Group will be looking at:

• Addressing the underlying causes of mental illness.
• Improving early access to diagnosis and treatment, especially for children and young people.
• Tackling the stigma associated with mental illness.
• Responding to the Government’s Mental Health Bill.

You can apply to join the Mental Health working group here.

The High Streets and Town Centres Policy Working Group will be looking at:

• Reshaping town centres to provide thriving community spaces fit for the future.
• The changing nature of high streets as destinations and experiential inclusive spaces, including the growth of markets, events, and festivals.
• Tackling the imbalance of power between big out-of-town retailers and high streets, and between big chains and independent stores.
• Developing high streets that promote active and sustainable travel and are climate-ready.

You can apply to join the High Streets and Town Centres Policy Working Group here.

I have served on a couple of Policy Working Groups and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. And famously our party Leader met his wife on a Policy Working Group, so perhaps romance awaits you as well as a good discussion.

* Mary Reid is a contributing editor on Lib Dem Voice. She was a councillor in Kingston upon Thames, where she is still very active with the local party, and is the Hon President of Kingston Lib Dems.