Monday, 20th September: nuclear power, free schools and Nick Clegg’s conference speech. Drama, protest and dissension or quiet compromise, careful management and enthusiastic standing ovation?
It’s no coincidence that both potential controversies are scheduled for the same day as Clegg’s speech: in the worst case situation, all the bad news would be be concentrated on the one day and Clegg will still get the final word (or rather, many words) on the day with his speech coming after the possible flashpoints*.
However, it’s unlikely to come to that as the two motions are carefully worded. Nuclear power gets a mention in the motion on green taxation, but as the motion is about taxation rather than energy it will be hard for anyone to submit a valid amendment which makes the debate into one of “nuclear, yes or no?”.
Likewise, the wording of the motion on academy and free schools minimises the chances of a direct flashpoint as the motion is clearly hostile to them, restates the party’s belief in the key role for local authorities, calls for an equal financial playing field for schools – and then goes on to urge people not to take part in free schools, rather than directly criticising the government for introducing them.
Instead, we’re much more likely to see some strongly expressed speeches, a chance to be clear about where the party would do something different if it were in a majority government on its own rather than the smaller partner in a coalition and then a warmly received leader’s speech.
As for why this is all happening on the Monday of conference rather than the final day? Nick Clegg will be in New York on the Wednesday of conference, representing the country as Deputy Prime Minister at the United Nations.
The full texts of all the motions is in the agenda booklet, which is available as a pdf here.
* I may be sticking my neck out here, by I don’t think there will be a counted vote in the debate which happens after Clegg’s speech on amending the fourth sentence of standing order 8.3 so that rights of reply can be skipped when there’s nothing to reply to.
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4 Comments
Awaiting Labour trolls – postings with the words `savage`, `poorest`, `most vulnerable`, `dickensian`, `sold out`, please insert below
I think you are too optimistic. The press will report the schools motion as ‘LDs reject Colation policy’ and this will overshadow Clegg’s speech.
Better to have got this motion over with earlier.
I thought that one of the main reasons Conference was brought forward to start on Saturday (a few years ago) was so that teachers could attend (and indeed students and pupils) and there was an understanding that education matters would be taken at the weekend.
I feel that Conference Committee have made a mistake by not putting the schools motion on the Sunday. I bet mdia coverage of Monday will concentrate on ‘Coaltion split on schools’, rather than whatever good stuff Nick has to say.
Well said John true words indeed apart from the labour troll bit.
Seriousley though im glad its all a big joke to you and if the horrors of the new Tory government hit you and yours as hard as me and my family (public sector worker/disabled children/social housing) then I trust you will keep laughing.Still my deep fears for my family and country under the Tory shark and its Lib Dem pilot fish obviousley make me a troll.