Conferences are a foundation stone of being a Liberal Democrat. There have been some really huge and important ones – Brighton, 2002, where we laid out a principled position on Iraq; Llandudno, 1981, where Shirley Williams and David Steel spoke passionately in favour of an alliance; Sheffield, 2011, when we opposed the NHS reforms. Conference is the best way for the membership to exert their influence over the leadership. Past leaders, from Steel to Ashdown, from Kennedy to Clegg, have often feared Conference for the skill and passion with which it has put its arguments. And so the tradition of an important Conference, of a respected Conference, of a powerful Conference, has also spread in to Liberal Youth.

Liberal Youth are keen, as an organisation as a whole, to expand our reach both in to the wider party, from the Federal Conference to the Federal Policy Committee, and geographically too. That’s why we’ve been pushing to hold more of our conferences across Britain, which means that members from Scotland and from Wales can also attend. Over the last two years, we’ve had conferences in York, Manchester, Bristol and Portsmouth. We’ve had speakers from Bonnie Greer to Tessa Munt speak to us, and had organisations such as Oxfam.

We’re willing to have conferences anywhere. All we’re asking for is a detailed plan from you saying where you can host us, how many you can host and what you can offer us. We’ll also need good transport links.

In return, we’ll endeavour to help you and your branch during the weekend we’re there.

Liberal Youth are planning on a late October/early November conference, so if you’re interested in hosting us then, please fill out this form or email me at [email protected] with any questions you have.

It’s a great opportunity to involve young people in general and Liberal Youth in particular. I hope you get in touch and take this opportunity. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thomas Hemsley is Chair of the Liberal Youth Conference Committee.