“Conference, this is just a tidying up amendment”. Well I hope this may be true.

Amendments to the Lib Dem constitution may not be the most exciting thing to discuss on the doorstep – but it is important that we recognise and value the hard work of our councillors at all levels of the party. This includes ensuring the party’s voice in local government is heard when planning the Federal conferences.

At the moment there is an inconsistency in representation on the FCC (Federal Conference Committee). Other sections of the party have places on the FCC guaranteed, for example the parliamentary party, the state parties of England, Scotland and Wales – so it is only right that our councillors have the same representation and profile.

For example there is a councillor representative on the Federal Policy Committee, so it is logical that the Federal Conference Committee should have a similar arrangement. While we currently have councillors on the FCC, this is very different from a guaranteed place. The role of a councillor representative is also different – they are speaking on behalf of the Liberal Democrat local government family, liaising with ALDC and our group at the LGA whilst doing so.

We now have over 3,200 Lib Dem Councillors and lead 75 councils across the country. As well as being the Party’s “ambassadors” on the ground in communities ranging from the Scottish Highlands over to Cornwall, our councillors contribute approximately £2.5 million every year to the party in tithes and other financial support.

And during the leaner years following 2015’s near wipeout in the General Election when we were reduced to just 8 MPs, it was our local government presence across the UK that helped “keep the lights on” for the party when our national voice was somewhat muted. We got on with the job of running services – or scrutinising them if in opposition, and re-built our councillor base. One of the key reasons why many of our 72 MPs were elected in 2024 was because we had strength in local government in those constituencies.

So when there is a disparity like this, it is important to act on it.The FCC works hard and does a great job in planning our Lib Dem Federal Party conferences, so this is no criticism of their work for which we are very grateful and appreciative. We just want to make sure there is a guaranteed way for the party’s local government voice to be heard.

Please support the amendment from ALDC at 9.30am this coming Saturday (14^th March) and let’s make sure we work together to make sure all parts of the party have a say in conference planning.

Daryl is writing this in his capacity as Secretary of ALDC and Chair of ALDC’s Policy Committee. 

* Darryl Smalley is a City of York councillor and the English Council representative to the Federal Conference Committee.