Tag Archives: autumn conference

+++Plans for Lib Dem autumn conference on hold – online options to be explored instead

By The Voice | Tue 31st March 2020 - 9:00 am

The chair of the Federal Conference committee, Geoff Payne, has posted the following text in the Lib Democrat Federal Conference Facebook group:

In the light of the coronavirus epidemic, the Federal Board has decided to put on hold plans for the preparation of a traditional party conference in the autumn and will make a final decision on whether to cancel the event in May.

In the meantime, the Federal Conference Committee will consider the feasibility of an online event, which might include some elements of a formal conference. Part of that will be the way in which the key elements of party accountability might operate online if a traditional party conference did not go ahead.

Conference Countdown 2015: Reforming the way we make policy

By Gareth Epps | Fri 18th September 2015 - 3:58 pm

Ever wanted to get more involved in how we make policy? Frustrated by the process? Well, now is the time for you to have your say.

On Saturday morning (10am in the Dorchester Suite of the Highcliff Hotel) the party discusses possible changes to the ways we make policy. A consultation paper has been published here ca because one obvious analysis of the way we currently make policy is that it optimises opportunity for those who attend Federal Conference, but could be better at involving those who do not.

I would particularly encourage those not at Conference to read the paper and respond.

Posted in Conference | Also tagged conference countdown 2015 | 1 Comment

Conference Countdown 2015: …And breathe – advice for first time conference goers

By Paul Walter | Thu 3rd September 2015 - 10:36 am

View image | gettyimages.com

When you first go to conference there is a risk of overloading with “stuff”.

Bear in mind that conference is a very unusual situation for a human being.

You are there being pumped full of the highest octane level of high octane political content for up to 18 hours a day. I once counted up over 50 subjects on which I had listened to speeches or explanations during a conference week.

Posted in Conference and Op-eds | Also tagged bournemouth 2015 conference and federal conference | 2 Comments

Opinion: Regaining lost trust – the five-year campaign trail ahead

By Jim Williams | Mon 6th July 2015 - 4:35 pm

View image | gettyimages.com

We all know the gloomy picture: I don’t need to re-hash the scale of our losses, or present you with the same statistics you know so well. Let’s leave it like this: we don’t just have to win back seats and votes.

We have to find a way to win back lost trust, in the face of anger, disappointment and – perhaps worst of all – plain disinterest.

That means finding a way to signal a clear break with the past, but without disowning the party’s achievements in government. It means offering a distinctive alternative to the Tories and Labour, but without chasing after protest votes. And above all, it means working out what we can say to make people listen, when many don’t even want to give us the time of day.

So – how should we go about it?

Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged campaigns and featured | 35 Comments

Opinion: You can allow airport expansion and protect the environment

By Christine Jardine MP | Fri 3rd October 2014 - 2:38 pm

Airport expansion equals controversy.

It sparks inevitable tensions between the demand for larger airports to fuel our economic growth, and concerns about the impact on the environment.

For those living closest to our major airports, especially Heathrow, those fears can be particularly acute as they endure current noise levels and view the prospect of increased traffic with dread.

And for Liberal Democrats it can often feel that our drive to create a stronger economy is being placed in direct opposition to our desire to protect our environment for future generations.

Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged airports and pre-manifesto debate | 10 Comments