Liberal Democrat Conference Agenda

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Conference Agenda

Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference 17th - 22nd September 2005 Blackpool The REAL alternative

Contents

Procedural information 2-4 Wednesday 21st

F35 Reports of the Parliamentary Parties of the 31 Information Sunday 18th September Liberal Democrats Consultative Sessions 5 F36 Urgent Issue 31 F1 Report of the FCC 6 F37 Speech by Mark Oaten MP 31 F2 Standing Order Amendments 6 F38 Ending Elective Dictatorship 32 F3 Report of the FPC 7 F39 Road User Pricing 33 F4 Tax Credits 8 F40 Question and Answer Session on the 34 F5 Speech by Steve Webb MP 9 Environment F6 Equal Pay Audits 9 F41 Tackling Carbon Emissions: A Strategy for 35

Sunday 18th F7 Federal Executive Report 10 Clean and Sustainable Energy F8 Appointment of Federal Appeals Panel 10 F42 Speech by Rt Hon Jim Wallace QC MSP 36 2005-2010 F43 Parliamentary Candidates 37 F9 Report of the FFAC 11 F44 Leadership Election Nominations 37 F10 Membership Subscription and Federal Levy 11 F11 Report of the Gender Balance Task Force 12 Thursday 22nd F12 Campaign for Gender Balance 12 F45 Emergency Motions 39 F46 Anti-Social Behaviour 39 Monday 19th F47 Civil Liberties 41 Monday 19th F13 Formal Opening of Federal Conference 14 F48 Presentation of Awards 43 F14 The Future for Europe 14 F49 Speech by the Leader of the Liberal 43 F15 Control of Small Arms 16 Democrats, the Rt Hon Charles Kennedy MP F16 Speech by Rt Hon Sir Menzies Campbell QC MP 17 F17 Review of Millennium Development Goals 17 Standing Orders 44-51 F18 Speech by Simon Hughes MP 19 Federal Party 51 F19 Presentation of Newly Elected MPs 19

uesday 20th

F20 Question & Answer with Charles Kennedy MP 19 T F21 Speech by Seif Shariff Hamad 20 See Conference Directory for Conference F22 NHS Dentistry 20 information, Fringe, Exhibition, Features F23 Mental Health 21 F24 Urgent Issue 23 Conference Directory and Agenda

Tuesday 20th are available on tape and in large F25 Standards Board for England 24 print. See page 3. F26 Closing the Funding Gap in 16-19 Education 25 ednesday 21st F27 Speech by Graham Watson MEP 26 W F28 Saving the Post Office and Royal Mail 26 F29 Speech by Dr Vincent Cable MP 28 F30 School Discipline: School Communities and 28 Pastoral Care F31 Speech by Sarah Teather MP 29 F32 Emergency Motions 30 www.libdems.org.uk F33 Presentation by Scottish Liberal Democrat 30

Thursday 22nd Parliamentary Party Published by The Conference Office, Liberal Democrats, F34 Meeting the Challenge Consultative Session 30 4 Cowley Street, London, SW1P 3NB. Edited by Stuart Marritt. Design and layout by Mike Cooper, 25 Orchard Road, Sutton, SM1 2QA. Printed by Burlington Press, 1 Station Road, Foxton, CB2 6SW. Front cover photo: © Blackpool Conference Centre Tourism Division. Printed on recycled paper ISBN 1-85187-742-8

Standing Orders Information Procedural information Please ensure that you read carefully the Amendments, emergency motions, appeals and Conference information starting on page 66 of the questions to reports should be sent to the Policy Conference Directory, which includes registration Unit, preferably by email to and security information. [email protected], or by fax to 020 7799 2170 or post to 4 Cowley Street, London SW1P 3NB. A standard form is included with this Final Agenda; if Deadlines faxing or posting, please use this or a photocopy.

Amendments to motions / emergency motions / All items accepted for debate will be detailed in questions to reports / appeals Sunday’s Advance Notice sheet.

The deadline for: Applicability of motions ● amendments to motions F4, F6, F10, F12, F14, F15, F17, F22, F23, F25, F26, F28, F30, F38, F39, All motions are Federal in application unless F41, F46 and F47; otherwise stated. ● emergency motions; ● questions to reports; Urgent Issues ● appeals The Conference Committee has decided to pilot a new is 12.00 noon Wednesday 14th September. type of agenda item known as an Urgent Issue. Emergency motions may be the subject of priority Two slots at F24 and F36 have been reserved for ballots among representatives. Ballot papers and the discussion of an important current political issue. ballot box will be available at the Information Desk. The topic for the discussion will therefore only be The poll will be held, if necessary, between 09.30 and selected in the week before Conference, and notified 13.00 on Monday 19th September. through the Advance Notice and Daily Announcements. Unlike other debates at Conference, Procedure for submission this discussion will not make new party policy, but is intended to allow conference representatives and Appeals against non-acceptance of motions should: spokespeople an opportunity to discuss and comment on a political issue live at the time of a) be typed clearly on one side of an A4 sheet; Conference. b) give a contact name and telephone number; c) include a copy of the original motion to which Suggestions for issues may be submitted by any they relate; and conference representative, and should be emailed to d) specify the justification for the appeal and [email protected] by noon on Friday 9 provide new information of which the Conference September. The title of the issue should be no more Committee was unaware when it made its original than ten words long, and should not include an decision. expression of opinion. For example, ‘The Chaos on the Railways’ would be acceptable, ‘The Chaos on the Questions to reports may be submitted by any voting Railways can be solved by Renationalisation’ would Representative. not. Emails should also include full contact details of the submitter, and may include up to 100 words of Amendments, emergency motions and appeals must explanatory background. be signed by 10 voting representatives, or submitted by Local Parties, State Parties, Regional Parties in The person submitting an issue chosen for one of England, Federal Specified Associated Organisations these slots will be expected to speak for five minutes or Federal Party Committees. to introduce the discussion. The relevant

2 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005 Parliamentary spokesperson will be invited to respond. At the end of the debate, a member of the Services for the blind

FPC will sum up the main points and suggest any Information further actions. and visually impaired Copies of the Conference Agenda and Advance Notice and Directory and Consultation Papers Daily Announcements will be available from RNIB on tape and large print from 7th September. An Advance Notice sheet will be published on Sunday. Contact Donna Gordon at RNIB: This will contain amendments to motions, urgent issues, emergency motions for debate or the ballot 01733 375106. and questions to reports selected by the Conference Committee. PDF files of the Agenda, Directory and Consultation Papers are available A Daily Announcements sheet will be published each from the Conference Office: email day Monday-Thursday and will be available at the start of the morning session from the information [email protected]. desk. It will include last-minute changes to the order of business, movers, emergency motions etc. Speaking at conference

Please make sure you collect your Advance Notice Only four categories of people are entitled to speak in sheet and Daily Announcements sheet as the a debate at conference: information they contain will always be vital to understanding the day’s business. ● Voting representatives (or substitutes) who have paid their full registration fee for the conference (i.e. not day visitors). Venue ● Non-voting representatives who have paid their full registration fee for the conference (i.e. not Auditorium day visitors). ● Persons who are ex-officio representatives (e.g. The main conference sessions will take place in the Parliamentary Spokespersons). auditorium of the Winter Gardens and attendees ● Persons who have been given permission to speak must ensure they are wearing their badges by the Conference Committee. everywhere within the Conference Centre. Certain areas within the auditorium will be reserved for No other person may be called to speak in debates. guests and observers. Smoking is not permitted in the auditorium. In exceptional circumstances (such as the possession of particular expertise that would not otherwise be Platform seating represented in the debate), people who are not either voting or non-voting representatives may be Except for the opening ceremony of the conference authorised to submit a speaker’s card by the (Monday morning), the President’s and the Leader’s Conference Committee, but they must apply to the speech, any representative at the conference may sit Conference Committee at least 48 hours in advance. on the platform, subject to space availability. If you wish to sit on the platform you should approach the Anyone who is entitled and wishes to speak must Platform Steward at the Stewards’ Table before the complete a speaker’s card to speak in the debate. beginning of the session and he / she will show you Cards can be obtained from the Steward overseeing where to sit. the block of seats in which you are sitting or from the

www.libdems.org.uk 3 Information

Information desk from Saturday afternoon. It is Interventions important that you supply all the information requested on the card and make sure that you There will be interventions during debates F22 and

Information complete all the sections legibly. F28. This procedure offers representatives the opportunity to make concise (one-minute) speeches Please hand the completed card to a steward in the from the floor during the debate on the motion. auditorium before the beginning of the morning or Eligibility to make an intervention is exactly the afternoon in which the relevant debate occurs. If this same as for those wishing to make a speech. is not possible, please hand it in well in advance of the debate. There are two microphones in the body of the auditorium facing the platform. Those wishing to Lengths of speeches speak during interventions should take their place in the designated seats and complete the form handed Lengths of speeches for each debate are published to them by the Steward overseeing those seats. alongside each motion. These times may be changed Three lights will be visible on either side of the by the conference on a motion put by the Conference platform: the green light is switched on at the start Committee or by the Chair of the session (Standing of the intervention; the amber light will show 20 Order 9.7). seconds before the end of the intervention; the red light will be switched on at the end of one minute The speaker’s rostrum has three lights. The green and the intervention must stop immediately. light is switched on at the beginning of the speech. The amber light is switched on 60 seconds before the end of the speech. The red light is switched on when Any questions ? all the time is used up, and speeches must stop immediately. Duplicate lights will be visible to the If you have a query during the conference, please audience on either side of the stage. contact the information desk, members of the Conference Team or Conference Committee. Want to make the most out of conference? Come along to the new Federal Conference Committee (FCC) training sessions, open to all party members: Introduction to conference Your first conference? Come along and find out more about how conference works and what will be going on this week. Sunday, 1:00-2:00pm, Opera House Foyer Bar Annex, Winter Gardens. Speaking at conference Tips on writing and delivering a speech and the opportunity to practice your speech on the conference platform. Monday, 9:00-10:00am, Main Auditorium, Winter Gardens. Policy Writing for conference Tips on how to write better policy motions for Federal Conference and improve the chances of your motion appearing on the next Conference agenda. Wednesday 9:00-10:00am, Opera House Foyer Bar Annex, Winter Gardens.

These training courses are open to all party members. If you are not a registered conference representative, you will need to obtain a free pass from the registration area in the Winter Gardens. Plus throughout the week FCC members will be giving advice on filling out speaker cards and answering your questions: daily drop in session 2:30-3:30pm, Internet Café, Winter Gardens.

4 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005 Sunday 18th

Consultative Sessions

Consultative sessions provide a less formal mechanism than the full-scale Conference debates for Conference representatives and other Party members to participate in the Party’s policy- and decision-making process. Each session examines a particular topic and hears contributions from Party members and in some cases outside speakers.

The session will be organised by the relevant Policy Working Group. The conclusions of the sessions will be taken into account by the groups when drawing up their final policy papers.

In addition, at this post-election conference, there will be a special General Election debrief Sunday 18th session, to give Party members an opportunity to feed back their comments on the party’s campaign.

09.00-10.30

General Election Debrief

Baronial Hall Chair: Lord Razzall Winter Gardens

09.00 -11.15

Children and Families

Opera House Foyer Bar Chair: Patrick Short Winter Gardens Rapporteur: Marianne Sladowsky

10.30 -12.45

Tax

Baronial Hall Chair: Mike Williams Winter Gardens Rapporteur: Christian Moon

Devolution and Local Governance

Renaissance Room Chair: Judith Jolly Winter Gardens Rapporteur: Dr Jonathan Wallace

Note: there will also be a consultation session for the Meeting the Challenge Working Group at 15.05 on Tuesday 20th September in the main auditorium. Please see page 30 of this Agenda.

www.libdems.org.uk 5 Sunday 18th

14.15Party Business

Chair: Libby Calton

Aide: Cllr Jon Ball Sunday 18th Sunday F1 Report of the Federal Conference Committee

Mover: Duncan Brack (Chair, Federal Conference Committee)

F2 Standing Order Amendments

Federal Conference Committee Mover: Duncan Brack (Chair, Federal Conference Committee) Summation: Duncan Brack (Chair, Federal Conference Committee)

1 In the Glossary of terms:

2 In the introduction, delete: ‘This glossary is not formally part of the standing orders but should 3 be read in conjunction with them. It is included to help representatives interpret them.’

4 Under Standing Orders Amendment 5 Delete: ‘A proposal to change the rules by which motions are submitted, selected or debated’ 6 and insert: ‘A proposal to change these standing orders’.

7 Under Secondary Standing Order Amendment 8 At end, add: ‘This must not introduce new material.’

9 Under Topical Motion 10 Before ‘Final Agenda’: insert: ‘Preliminary or’.

11 UnderTopical Motion 12 At end, add: ‘Topical Motions (except for those announced in the Final Agenda but not 13 published until the meeting of the conference) may have amendments submitted to them in 14 the same way as policy or business motions. Any such amendment should be of significant 15 importance, should be within the scope of the original motion and must not be a direct 16 negative.’

17 In 1.1 What is on the agenda: 18 In 1.1 (c) delete: ‘(at autumn conference only)’.

19 In 1.5 Deadlines: 20 In 1.5 (d) delete: ‘(autumn conference only)’.

21 In 4.4 Topical Motions: 22 In title, delete: ‘(autumn conference)’.

23 Delete: ‘a specified date’ and insert: ‘the dates for the submission of topical motions and 24 emergency motions, respectively, as specified in Standing Order 1.5’.

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25 In 8.1 Who Chairs Conference: 26 In the first line, after: ‘shall’, insert: ‘normally’.

27 In 9.4 Who may speak: 28 Delete: ‘on the proposal of the President’.

29 In 9.5 The special rights of the Federal Committees: 30 Delete: ‘in a particular debate’ and insert: ‘in a debate on a policy motion or on motions 31 relating to the policy-making processes of the Party’.

32 In 9.7 The length of speeches: Sunday 18th 33 Delete: ‘The Committee or the chair may propose to conference a change in these limits. If a 34 vote is requested it shall be taken immediately without speeches and the change shall take 35 effect if approved by a majority of those voting. No count shall be taken on such a vote, the 36 chair’s decision being final.’

37 In 12.2 Reference back (moved by a representative): 38 In (d), after first sentence, insert: ‘If it is carried the current agenda item shall be abandoned 39 without any further debate or vote and, at the discretion of the chair, either the next agenda 40 item shall be taken or there shall be an adjournment until the time at which the next agenda 41 item was due to be taken.’

42 Re-letter remaining part of para as 12.2(e).

43 In 12.3 Reference back (moved by the Federal Policy Committee): 44 In (c), after first sentence, insert: ‘If it is carried the current agenda item shall be abandoned 45 without any further debate or vote and, at the discretion of the chair, either the next agenda 46 item shall be taken or there shall be an adjournment until the time at which the next agenda 47 item was due to be taken.’

48 Re-letter remaining part of para as 12.3(d).

49 In 12.6 Suspension of standing orders: 50 In (a), insert at end: ‘The chair may either take the request immediately upon receipt, or at 51 the end of the speech currently being made.’

Mover of motion: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes.

Note: the existing text of Standing Orders is given at pages 44-51 of this Agenda. A Standing Order Amendment requires a two-thirds majority to pass.

F3 Report of the Federal Policy Committee

Mover: Geoff Payne (Vice Chair, Federal Policy Committee)

www.libdems.org.uk 7 Sunday 18th

15.00 Policy Motion

Chair: Qassim Afzal

Aide: Cllr Sarah Boad Sunday 18th Sunday F4 Tax Credits

10 Conference Representatives Mover: David Laws MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions) Summation: Danny Alexander MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Work and Pensions)

1 Conference deplores the chaos in the operation of the tax credits system since 2003, which 2 has led to 1.9 million overpayments affecting 2 million families, who have had to endure 3 financial instability and poverty as a result of being forced to pay money back to the Inland 4 Revenue; and notes that the administrative crisis in the Inland Revenue has led to almost 65 5 million award notices being sent out in just over 2 years and award error rates of over 20%.

6 Conference welcomes the reports into tax credit problems produced this year by the 7 Parliamentary Ombudsman, the Adjudicator, the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, and the Child 8 Poverty Action Group, which highlight these problems and set out possible solutions.

9 Conference calls for a fundamental reform of the existing tax credit system to provide more 10 security and stability for all families who receive the benefit, particularly those on low 11 incomes.

12 Conference specifically proposes that:

13 1. There should be a statutory right of independent appeal for recovery of over-payments.

14 2. Tax credit overpayments due to official error must not be recovered unless people could 15 reasonably have been expected to be aware of the overpayments, and no recovery of 16 overpayments due to official error should take place without prior investigation as to 17 whether these conditions have been met.

18 3. Tax credit overpayments due to official error for 2003/04 and 2004/05 should be written 19 off, as recommended by the Ombudsman.

20 4. Tax credit award notices and administration must be urgently improved and simplified.

21 5. An assessment should be made urgently of the case for returning to a system of fixed tax 22 credit awards.

Applicability: Federal.

Note: the deadline for amendments to this motion is 12.00, Wednesday 14 September, to the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrat HQ (see page 2). Those selected for debate will be printed in Sunday’s Advance Notice Sheet.

8 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005 Sunday 18th

Requests for separate votes may be submitted in writing by voting representatives to the Chair of the debate at any time up to the commencement of closing speeches, but they will have a much higher chance of being accepted if they are submitted by 12.00 noon, Wednesday 14th September; to the Policy Unit, as above.

Mover of motion: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes.

15.30 Party Business

Chair: Debra Storr Aide: Cllr Gareth Epps Sunday 18th

F5 Speech by Steve Webb MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Health 15.50 Policy Motion

Chair: Cec Tallack Aide: Andrew Wiseman (Vice Chair, Federal Conference Committee)

F6 Equal Pay Audits

Women Liberal Democrats Mover: Sandra Gidley MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Women) Summation: Susan Kramer MP

1 1. Conference notes government figures showing that:

2 a) It is estimated that on average British female employees are paid between 18% and 3 24% less than their male counterparts. 4 b) The gender pay gap affects women working in all employment sectors in the UK. 5 c) Women civil servants now earn 25% less than their male counterparts. 6 d) The gender pay gap in the civil service is now increasing, rather than decreasing.

7 2. Conference notes that the gender pay gap:

8 a) Restricts economic productivity. 9 b) Limits the ability of female workers to achieve their potential. 10 c) Undermines staff motivation and retention. 11 d) Contributes to women receiving lower pensions than men, and the fact that two 12 thirds of pensioners living in poverty are women.

13 3. Conference believes that:

14 a) Equal pay audits are a successful way of exposing underlying bias in the way 15 organisations value female employees 16 b) The Liberal Democrat policy of introducing a Voluntary Code of Practice Against 17 Inadvertent Discrimination (VCPAID) in the workplace would be a major step 18 forward in tackling pay discrimination.

www.libdems.org.uk 9 Sunday 18th

19 4. Conference therefore calls on the Government to:

20 a) Introduce a VCPAID as a matter of urgency. 21 b) Encourage all employers to undertake equal pay audits. 22 c) Oblige all employers to promote pay transparency by publishing internally pay

Sunday 18th Sunday 23 scales for employees. 24 d) Set an example by eliminating the gender pay gap in the public sector.

Applicability: Federal.

Mover of motion: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes.

16.20 Party Business

Chair: Cllr Gareth Epps Aide: Sue Garden

F7 Federal Executive Report

Mover: Simon Hughes MP (President of the Liberal Democrats)

F8 Appointment of Federal Appeals Panel 2005-2010

Mover: Simon Hughes MP (President of the Liberal Democrats)

1 Conference is asked to reappoint the following members of the Panel for a second five-year 2 term of office:

3 a) Viv Bingham. 4 b) Susan Fenwick. 5 c) Philip Goldenberg. 6 d) Celia Goodhart. 7 e) Stan Hardy.

8 Conference is asked to appoint the following new members to the Panel for a five-year term of 9 office:

10 1. Mark Soady, a former Chair of the Welsh Appeals Panel and registered Deputy Campaigns 11 Officer for Wales.

10 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005 Sunday 18th

12 2. Paul Carter, formerly Chair of the North West Region’s Standards and Practice committee.

13 3. David Ive, a long-standing member of the Association of Liberal Democrat Lawyers.

14 4. Kishwer Falkner, Lords Spokesperson on Home Affairs and former Parliamentary 15 Candidate for Kensington and Chelsea.

Under Article 14.1 (a) of the Federal Constitution, members of the Federal Appeals Panel are elected by the Federal Executive, subject to confirmation by Conference. There will therefore be separate votes on each nominee.

Sunday 18th Mover of motion: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes.

Chair: Harriet Smith (Vice Chair, Federal Conference Committee) Aide: Jane Smithard

F9 Report of the Federal Finance and Administration Committee

Mover: David Griffiths (Chair, Federal Finance and Administration Committee)

F10 Membership Subscription and Federal Levy

Federal Executive Mover: Stan Collins (Chair, English Liberal Democrats) Summation: David Griffiths (Chair, Federal Finance and Administration Committee)

1 Conference notes that:

2 a) The current minimum membership subscription of £5 set by the Federal Party is 3 substantially lower than that of any other UK political party.

4 b) The Scottish Party has successfully had a minimum subscription of £12 for three years.

5 Conference resolves that:

6 A Membership Subscription

7 1. The recommended subscription rate for 2006 shall be £42.

8 2. The minimum subscription shall be £12 except for members joining through the 9 Youth and Student SAO, where the minimum subscription shall be £6.

10 3. State parties shall be free to increase either the minimum or recommended 11 subscription through their democratic processes, which shall then be the Federal 12 subscription in that State, excluding LDYS members as set out in paragraph two.

13 B Federal Levy

14 1. The Federal Levy on new members shall be 0% and the Federal Levy on renewal 15 subscriptions shall be 42% for the year 2006.

www.libdems.org.uk 11 Sunday 18th

Applicability: Federal.

Note: the deadline for amendments to this motion is 12.00, Wednesday 14 September, to the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrat HQ (see page 2). Those selected for debate will be printed in

Sunday’s Advance Notice Sheet. Sunday 18th Sunday Requests for separate votes may be submitted in writing by voting representatives to the Chair of the debate at any time up to the commencement of closing speeches, but they will have a much higher chance of being accepted if they are submitted by 12.00 noon, Wednesday 14th September; to the Policy Unit, as above.

Mover of motion: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes.

Chair: Ruth Polling Aide: Duncan Brack (Chair, Federal Conference Committee)

F11 Report of the Gender Balance Task Force

Mover: Baroness Harris of Richmond (Chair of the Gender Balance Task Force)

F12 Campaign for Gender Balance

15 Conference Representatives Mover: Jo Swinson MP Summation: Ros Harper

1 Conference welcomes the election of seven new Liberal Democrat women MPs since the 2001 2 General Election, increasing the proportion of female MPs in the Parliamentary Party from 3 9.6% in 2001 to 16.4% in 2005; 33% of new Liberal Democrat MPs are women.

4 Conference notes that:

5 i) The Gender Balance Task Force has had a significant effect in improving the number of 6 women PPCs and the proportion of our new MPs that are women. 7 ii) Despite the increased proportion of women candidates, only 25% of non-incumbent 8 candidates, and 23% of candidates overall in the 2005 General Election, were women.

9 Conference believes:

10 a) That this under-representation is unhealthy for democracy, projects a predominantly 11 male image which deters women and suggests that the Party is failing to make the best 12 use of all available skills and abilities. 13 b) It is the responsibility of the Party and individuals at all levels to ensure that the 14 situation is improved. 15 c) The approach of training, mentoring and support developed by the Gender Balance Task 16 Force (now known as the Campaign for Gender Balance) has proven to be the best hope 17 for tackling the problem of gender imbalance in the long term, but it needs continued 18 long-term support and greater resources to ensure that progress continues to be made.

12 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005 Sunday 18th

19 Conference calls for:

20 1. The Party to work towards a long-term goal of gender balance at all levels of 21 representative government in the UK. 22 2. The Party to set a target of at least 40% of its new MPs and at least 25% of its total MPs to 23 be women after the next General Election. 24 3. The Party to set a target of at least 150 additional approved women candidates by the 25 next General Election. 26 4. The Federal Executive to ensure that the Campaign for Gender Balance is adequately 27 funded in order to carry out its function in finding, training and developing female

28 candidates. Sunday 18th 29 5 The Campaign for Gender Balance to continue to report back to every Federal Conference 30 and every meeting of the Federal Executive on progress until this goal has been reached.

Applicability: Federal.

Mover of motion: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes.

18.00 Close of Session

www.libdems.org.uk 13 Monday 19th

10.30 Formal Opening of Fedral Conference

Chair: Simon Hughes MP (President of the Liberal Democrats) Aide: Debra Storr

F13 The Worshipful the Mayor of Blackpool, Councillor Mr Philip Dunne Reply by Lord McNally 10.55 Policy Motion

Chair: Baroness Barker

Aide: Geoff Payne Monday 19th Monday F14 The Future for Europe

Federal Policy Committee Mover: Nick Clegg MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Europe) Summation: Dr Vincent Cable MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer)

1 Conference notes:

2 i) That the EU has been instrumental in promoting peace, stability, democracy and human 3 rights across Europe; has strengthened the security of the UK and is central to the UK’s 4 economic prosperity. 5 ii) The French and Dutch No votes on the European constitution and the UK Government’s 6 subsequent decision to suspend the introduction of the EU Referendum bill. 7 iii) The hostility in a number of EU member states to further enlargement and to the reforms 8 necessary to meet the challenge of globalisation. 9 iv) The failure of the EU Heads of Government at the European Council in June to reach an 10 agreement on the Union’s future budget and on the way forward for the EU. 11 v) The enormous benefits of EU enlargement, including entrenching democracy in 12 countries that were once dictatorships, and bringing prosperity to previously poor 13 regions.

14 Conference believes that:

15 a) The constitution was an attempt at making the EU more accountable, efficient and 16 transparent and that the challenges facing the EU in making decisions with a much 17 expanded membership still remain. 18 b) Positive improvements suggested in the constitution that do not require changes to the 19 EU treaties, including making the legislative proceedings of the Council of Ministers 20 public, should be enacted as soon as possible with the agreement of the EU Heads of 21 Government. 22 c) Any proposals which involve significant change in the relationship between the Union, 23 the member states and its citizens should be approved in Britain through a referendum. 24 d) The EU Heads of Government need to re-establish public confidence and trust in the EU if 25 they are to gain the support of European citizens for the reforms that are necessary for 26 the EU to work effectively.

14 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005 Monday 19th

27 e) The emphasis on continued far-reaching reform of the Common Agricultural Policy as a 28 centre-piece of the EU reform agenda is welcome, but the absence of any detailed 29 proposals on CAP reform by the British government is regrettable.

30 Conference therefore calls for:

31 1. National governments to rebuild the case for Europe, as a context for the debate about 32 the EU’s constitutional future. 33 2. Confirmation from EU Heads of Government that the EU will fulfil its current 34 commitments to enlarge its membership to applicant nations that are able to 35 demonstrate an absolute commitment to EU values and the administrative capacity to 36 implement EU law. 37 3. Maintenance of the cap of 1% on the budget until radical reforms in the budget have 38 been achieved. 39 4. The British Government to initiate effective negotiations for reform of the Common 40 Agricultural Policy, coupled with review of the system of EU financing of which the UK 41 rebate is a part. 42 5. The deepening of the EU single market and in particular the creation of a single market 43 in services.

Monday 19th 44 6. Strengthened action on anti-terrorism and law enforcement and common asylum and 45 immigration policies but with democratic and transparent decision-making procedures 46 and respect for human rights. 47 7. Stronger application of the EU’s subsidiarity principle so that decisions are made by 48 national governments or parliaments or at the most local effective level; this should 49 include decentralisation of fisheries management. 50 8. Urgent steps to be taken by the Prime Minister and pro-Europeans in both the private 51 sector and public life to engage the British public in a positive debate about the UK’s 52 place in the European Union. 53 9. The Liberal Democrats to promote a reformed EU that is decentralised, transparent and 54 accountable and which protects human rights, civil liberties and the rule of law.

Applicability: Federal.

Mover of motion: 7 minutes; all other speakers: 4 minutes.

www.libdems.org.uk 15 Monday 19th

11.55 Policy Motion

Chair: Cllr James Gurling Aide Dee Doocey AM (London)

F15 Control of Small Arms

12 Conference Representatives Mover: Cllr Gareth Epps Summation: To be announced

1 Conference notes: Monday 19th Monday 2 i) The unregulated global proliferation of small arms and light weapons such as rifles, 3 handguns, machine-guns and grenades.

4 ii) That the ready availability of such weapons in many developing countries contributes to 5 instability and criminality; and exacerbates conflict and the abuse of human rights.

6 iii) That international pressure has grown to regulate and control the export, transport and 7 sale of small arms and light weapons.

8 Conference is dismayed by the lack of progress on the international regulation of the 9 proliferation of such weapons.

10 Conference therefore calls on the Government to:

11 1. Support and promote efforts to establish a legally-binding International Arms Trade 12 Treaty to establish universal standards for the transfer of arms, based on international 13 human rights and humanitarian law.

14 2. Fulfil its manifesto commitment to control UK arms brokers “wherever they are located” 15 by strengthening the secondary legislation in the Export Control Act 2002 to include:

16 a) Registration of UK arms brokers and shippers. 17 b) A licensing requirement for arms deals brokered offshore or abroad by UK arms 18 brokers.

19 3. Further strengthen the UK export control regime by introducing:

20 a) Comprehensive controls on licensed production overseas. 21 b) A system of prior parliamentary scrutiny of export licence applications. 22 c) A rigorous and systematic programme of dual-use – and end-use monitoring of UK 23 arms exports. 24 d) Controls to cover spare parts and other components of these weapons.

25 Conference calls on the Government to fully support the work of this body in preventing 26 exports that might breach nations’ international obligations and threaten human rights.

16 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005 Monday 19th

Applicability: Federal.

Mover of motion: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes.

12.25 Party Business

Chair: Sue Garden Aide: Harriet Smith (Vice Chair, Federal Conference Committee)

F16 Speech by Rt Hon Sir Menzies Campbell QC MP, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Monday 19th Democrats and Shadow Foreign Secretary 12.45 Lunch 14.15Policy Motion

Chair: Jane Smithard Aide: Cllr Gareth Epps

F17 Review of Millennium Development Goals

St Ives Mover: Andrew George MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for International Development) Summation: Baroness Northover (Lords Spokesperson on International Development)

1 Conference notes that 2005 marks the five-year review of the Millennium Development Goals 2 which have been accepted as the framework for measuring progress towards a more 3 prosperous, equitable and sustainable world.

4 Conference welcomes the review and the efforts to make progress on the Millennium 5 Development Goals. Conference further welcomes the promises made by the G8 leaders to 6 improve the lives of many in the developing world through increasing aid and cancelling the 7 debts of some of the poorest nations.

8 Conference notes that significant progress must be made in a range of areas which are 9 essential to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals including:

10 i) Pressing for a fair and liberal outcome of the Doha round of trade negotiations. 11 ii) Eliminating tariff and quota barriers for developing countries.

www.libdems.org.uk 17 Monday 19th

12 iii) Ensuring that developing countries are not forced to liberalise markets at a speed and to 13 a degree which could impede their development. 14 iv) Extending cancellation of multilateral debts to a greater number of the Highly Indebted 15 Poor Countries than the 18 currently agreed. 16 v) Untying all aid from reciprocal purchasing obligations and eliminating inappropriate 17 economic conditionality from aid or debt relief. 18 vi) Confronting climate change, which is already adversely affecting poor countries and 19 could seriously undermine efforts to eliminate poverty in the long term. 20 vii) Expanding access to primary education in the developing world and achieving a 21 substantial reduction in the number of child labourers. 22 viii) Providing substantial extra funding to combat HIV/AIDS, to achieve universal access to 23 treatment by 2010, and to tackle the spread of TB and malaria. 24 ix) Supporting the United Nations and regional organisations in the defence of human

Monday 19th Monday 25 rights and democratic freedoms. 26 x) Tackling unacceptably high levels of gender inequality. 27 xi) Supporting the proposed International Arms Trade Treaty and halting the export of 28 onward supply of weapons to states which could be used for the purpose of oppression, 29 the abuse of human rights or any act in breach of international law. 30 xii) Tackling corruption, including through international ratification and implementation of 31 the UN Convention Against Corruption and OECD Convention on Bribery, improving 32 financial and political transparency, and promoting accountability and good 33 governance. 34 xiii) Ensuring that multinational corporations based in G8 countries adhere to anti- 35 corruption rules and do not engage in trading practices which are harmful for growers, 36 farmers and workers in developing countries.

37 Conference believes that:

38 a) Without major concerted action and additional financing there is no prospect of 39 achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. 40 b) Poverty, security and human rights are connected and in a globalised world the best way 41 to achieve peace, security and stable development is through active, sustained and 42 concerted cooperation between states. 43 c) In order to ensure real progress and to deliver the Millennium Development Goals the 44 leaders of poorer countries should be fully involved in all negotiations.

45 Conference therefore calls for the Government to seek to ensure:

46 1. That the Millennium Development Goals remain at the heart of the international agenda. 47 2. That the undertakings given by the G8 leaders in the Gleneagles communiqué are 48 fulfilled. 49 3. That increases in aid constitute new funding, and are not drawn from existing aid 50 budgets. 51 4. International financial institutions set much higher targets for the cancellation of 52 multilateral debts owed by the poorest countries. 53 5. The elimination of all tied obligations and inappropriate economic conditionalities 54 attached to aid or debt relief. 55 6. The allocation and delivery of overseas development aid by developed countries which is 56 wholly untied and meets the UN target of 0.7% of gross national income. 57 7. That the EU achieves progress in eradicating all agricultural production supports and

18 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005 Monday 19th

58 export subsidies. 59 8. The WTO makes progress, in particular at the December ministerial meeting in Hong 60 Kong, towards the achievement of free and fair trading conditions for developing 61 countries, including a clear date for the ending of export subsidies and tariff barriers. 62 9. That the international community – through the UN – provides the necessary support to 63 the African Union to ensure it has the capacity to intervene effectively to contain civil 64 war and achieve early conflict resolution wherever it occurs. 65 10) That full support is given to the reform of the United Nations and that it is provided with 66 the resources it requires to tackle the abuse of human rights, conflict and the spread of 67 HIV/AIDS.

Applicability: Federal.

Requests for separate votes may be submitted in writing by voting representatives to the Chair of the debate at any time up to the commencement of closing speeches, but they will have a much

Monday 19th higher chance of being accepted if they are submitted by 12.00 noon, Wednesday 14th September; to the Policy Unit, as above.

Mover of motion: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes.

14.45 Party Business

Chair: Andrew Wiseman (Vice Chair, Federal Conference Committee) Aide: Cllr James Gurling

F18 Speech by Simon Hughes MP, President of the Liberal Democrats 15.05 Party Business

Chair: Andrew Wiseman (Vice Chair, Federal Conference Committee) Aide: Cllr James Gurling

F19 Presentation of Newly Elected MPs 15.20 Party Business

Chair: Simon Kelner (Editor of The Independent) Aide: Duncan Brack (Chair, Federal Conference Committee)

F20 Question and Answer with Rt Hon Charles Kennedy MP

Note: Conference representatives may submit concise questions (maximum 25 words) on Question Cards to the Speakers’ Table by 12.45 on Monday 19th September. The Chair will select which questioners to call to ask their questions during the session.

www.libdems.org.uk 19 Monday 19th

15.50 Party Business

Chair: Simon Hughes MP (President of the Liberal Democrats) Aide: Cllr Arnie Gibbons

F21 Speech by Seif Shariff Hamad, Civic United Front Candidate for President of Zanzibar 16.10Policy Motion

Chair: Cllr John Commons

Aide: Jane Smithard Monday 19th Monday F22 NHS Dentistry

Ten Conference Representatives Mover: Julia Goldsworthy MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Minister) Summation: Steve Webb MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Health)

1 Conference believes that everyone should have the right to access NHS dentistry.

2 Conference notes that:

3 i) Over half the population in England is not registered with an NHS dentist.

4 ii) The current crisis in NHS dentistry began in the early 1990s with the Conservative 5 Government’s decision to close two dental training schools and its cuts to dentists’ fees.

6 iii) Despite a pledge by Tony Blair in 1999 that everyone would have access to an NHS 7 dentist, the Government has been slow to take action and many people are finding it 8 very difficult to find a dentist accepting new patients.

9 iv) Patients calling NHS Direct are not always offered a nearby dentist, and may not be able 10 to register with the dental practice they are told about; and the Government does not 11 monitor whether patients calling NHS Direct receive accurate information.

12 v) Most dental problems are avoidable, and effective preventive work is therefore vital.

13 vi) The Government plans to increase the cost of check-up charges to £15 and charges for 14 fillings to £41.

15 In order to improve access to NHS dentistry, Conference calls on the Government to:

16 a) Work for a speedy introduction of the new dentist contract.

17 b) Focus on encouraging NHS dentists to register more patients rather than the sticking- 18 plaster solution of emergency dental access centres.

20 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005 Monday 19th

19 c) Require dentists to provide patients with clear information on treatment and charges for 20 both NHS and private dentistry.

21 Conference also calls for measures to prevent dental problems in the first place as the Liberal 22 Democrats have delivered in government in Scotland, including:

23 1. Tackling smoking rates to reduce the incidence of gum disease, for example by banning 24 smoking in enclosed public places.

25 2. Ending charges for dental check-ups, which deter people from going to the dentist.

Applicability: England.

Requests for separate votes may be submitted in writing by voting representatives to the Chair of the debate at any time up to the commencement of closing speeches, but they will have a much

Monday 19th higher chance of being accepted if they are submitted by 12.00 noon, Wednesday 14th September; to the Policy Unit, as above.

Mover of motion: 7 minutes; all other speakers; 4 minutes.

In addition to speeches from the platform, it will be possible for Conference representatives to make concise (maximum one minute) interventions from the floor during the debate on the motion. The Chair will explain the procedure for making interventions at the beginning of the session.

16.50 Policy Motion

Chair: Cllr Alan Sherwell Aide: Iain Smith MSP

F23 Mental Health

Oxford West & Abingdon and Sutton Mover: Cllr Jean Fooks Summation: Paul Burstow MP

1 Conference notes with concern:

2 A. The high incidence of mental illness, much of it unrecognised or inadequately treated, 3 leading to an unnecessary waste of lives and talents and to social exclusion. 4 B. The serious pressures on mental health services, leading to a lack of appropriate 5 treatment for many people. 6 C. That many people with mental health problems, who should be receiving psychiatric 7 treatment in hospital or in the community, end up in prison.

www.libdems.org.uk 21 Monday 19th

8 D. The widespread stigmatisation of people with mental illnesses.

9 Conference also notes the publication on 23rd March 2005 of the highly critical report by the 10 Parliamentary Joint Committee on the draft Mental Health Bill, and is concerned that the new 11 draft Bill does not represent an improvement on the previous draft Bill published in 2002; in 12 particular that the legislation as drafted may:

13 i) Lead to the excessive use of compulsory treatment. 14 ii) Be used inappropriately due to its extended definition of mental disorder. 15 iii) Discourage people from seeking help at an early stage in their condition. 16 iv) Reduce the ability of mental health services to make early interventions in a patient’s 17 case by diverting resources towards compulsory treatment. 18 v) Damage relationships between service users and mental health professionals.

Monday 19th Monday 19 vi) Place an intolerable strain on the Mental Health Tribunal System.

20 Conference believes that proposals to treat differently individuals lacking in capacity to make 21 decisions who are also subject to compulsory treatment under the Mental Health Act from 22 other individuals with an impaired ability to make their own decisions under the Mental 23 Capacity Act 2005 (such as those suffering from dementia) is divisive, discriminatory, and 24 stigmatising.

25 Conference therefore calls on the Government to conduct an urgent investigation into 26 improving services and outcomes for people with mental health problems, in particular how to:

27 a) Increase the availability of psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses, improve GPs’ ability to 28 identify and refer patients with mental illnesses and strengthen services for people 29 living in the community. 30 b) Improve access to mental health services at an early stage in an individual’s illness 31 rather than relying on compulsory treatment once an individual has reached breaking 32 point. 33 c) Strengthen recognition and support for carers and families, enabling carers to register 34 their concerns in confidence to assist the professionals in diagnosis and treatment and 35 involving them at the point of assessment unless the patient is expressly opposed to it. 36 d) Improve court diversion schemes to keep mentally ill patients out of the criminal justice 37 system and increase the ability of prison officers to recognise symptoms of mental 38 illness. 39 e) Ensure that employers’ occupational health policies and sickness absence policies 40 address mental as well as physical health. 41 f) Provide access to advocacy services for all patients receiving treatment for a mental 42 disorder on the basis of need.

43 Conference calls for reform of the Mental Health Act 1983 based on the principles of respect 44 for personal and patient autonomy, and specifically to:

45 1. Ensure that compulsory powers are used only as a last resort and that restrictions on the 46 freedom of individuals are kept to the minimum necessary to protect public safety. 47 2. Include a concept of capacity at the heart of any new mental health legislation, and for a 48 definition of capacity, in the form of “significantly impaired ability to make decisions”, 49 to be a condition for the use of compulsory treatment.

22 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005 Monday 19th

50 3. Retain the existing provision in the 1983 Act, that no one can be compulsorily treated 51 for a mental disorder “by reason only of promiscuity or other immoral conduct, sexual 52 deviancy or dependence on alcohol or drugs”. 53 4. Ensure that individuals are not detained under the new mental health legislation unless 54 they can be provided with “therapeutic benefit”. 55 5. Recognise that the need to incorporate risk management and public protection in 56 mental health policy must never be allowed to predominate as the primary objective of 57 reform.

Applicability: England.

Monday 19th

Mover of motion: 7 minutes; all other speakers; 4 minutes.

17.30 Party Business

Chair: Duncan Brack (Chair, Federal Conference Committee) Aide: Jeremy Hargreaves (Vice Chair, Federal Policy Committee)

F24 Urgent Issue

This slot has been reserved for discussion of an important current political issue. The topic for the discussion will therefore only be selected in the week before Conference, and notified through the Advance Notice and Daily Announcements. Unlike other debates at Conference, this discussion will not make new party policy, but is intended to allow conference representatives and spokespeople an opportunity to discuss and comment on a political issue live at the time of Conference.

Suggestions for issues may be submitted by any conference representative, and should be emailed to [email protected] by noon on Friday 9 September. The title of the issue should be no more that ten words long, and should not include an expression of opinion. Emails should also include full contact details of the submitter, and may include up to 100 words of explanatory background.

Introducer of issue and spokesperson’s response: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes.

18.00 Close of Session

www.libdems.org.uk 23 Tuesday 20th

09.00 Policy Motion

Chair: Geoff Payne Aide: Qassim Afzal

F25 Standards Board for England

Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors Mover: To be announced Summation: To be announced

1 Conference notes:

2 A. The widespread dissatisfaction with the Standards Board for England (SBE) from 3 councillors of all political parties. 4 B. The recommendation from Sir Alistair Graham, Chair of the Committee on Standards in 5 Public Life, that the SBE is fundamentally flawed and should have its role slashed. 6 C. The admission from the Chair of the SBE, Sir Anthony Holland, that the legislation to set 7 up the Board had been flawed. 8 D. Arbitrary and pernicious decisions from the adjudication panels that have threatened

9 the democratic relationship between electors and elected. T uesday 20th uesday 10 E. That of the cases referred to the SBE since its creation, the vast majority were either not 11 investigated, no breach of the code was found or no action was taken.

12 Conference believes that:

13 i) The overwhelming majority of elected councillors - of all political persuasions - are 14 generally honest and acting in what they believe is in the best interests of their 15 communities.

16 ii) The Standards Board in its current form is now more a vehicle for gaining political 17 advantage rather than upholding high standards in public life.

18 Conference calls for:

19 1. The abolition of the Standards Board for England in its current form. 20 2. The creation of a revised body to regulate standards in public life with responsibility for 21 the conduct of elected members and appointed members of public bodies. 22 3. The revised body to have powers to impose penalties not exceeding those applicable to 23 elected members of the Assemblies in Northern Ireland, Wales, London, and Parliaments 24 in Scotland and Westminster for comparable offences. 25 4. The creation of a revised code of conduct based on the following principles: 26 a) Declaration of interests which may affect a member’s decision-making. 27 b) Open participation once those interests have been declared except in the cases of 28 clear and direct prejudicial and pecuniary interests.

Applicability: England.

24 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005 Tuesday 20th

Mover of motion: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes.

09.30 Policy Motion

Chair: Debra Storr Aide: Jeremy Hargreaves

F26 Closing the Funding Gap in 16-19 Education

Ten Representatives Mover: To be announced Summation: To be announced

1 1. Conference deplores the funding inequality in 16-19 Further Education and the fact that 2 FE is still regarded by the Government as a cut-price option, with the gap between 3 payment to schools and colleges to fund similar post-16 courses being at least 10% and 4 possibly up to 15%.

uesday 20th

T 5 2. Conference also notes that with over half of post-16 students taught in FE colleges and 6 with FE colleges the largest supplier of vocational qualifications, this funding gap has 7 serious implications for the economy and society as a whole, contributing to:

8 a) British productivity lagging behind its competitors, with lower skills levels 9 contributing up to a fifth of the UK’s productivity gap with Germany and France.

10 b) Employers facing a pressing shortage of skilled workers, with 135,000 vacancies left 11 unfilled last year and damaging skills gaps in their existing workforces.

12 c) Less opportunity for young people to fulfil their potential and, especially, less 13 opportunity for students from poorer backgrounds.

14 3. Conference therefore calls for the funding gap between colleges and schools to be closed 15 over the lifetime of this Parliament, by levelling up funding for equivalent courses, 16 wherever they are taught.

Applicability: England.

www.libdems.org.uk 25 Tuesday 20th

Mover of motion: 7 minutes; all other speakers: 4 minutes.

10.00 Party Business

Chair: Lynne Featherstone MP Aide: Marie-Louise Rossi

F27 Speech by Graham Watson MEP, Leader of the ALDE Group in the European Parliament 10.20 Policy Motion

Chair: Dee Doocey AM (London)

Aide: Cllr Arnie Gibbons T

uesday 20th uesday F28 Saving the Post Office and Royal Mail

North Norfolk Mover: Norman Lamb MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Trade and Industry) Summation: To be announced

1 Conference notes:

2 i) The continuing programme of Post Office branch closures and the damaging effect 3 this has on communities. 4 ii) The ending of the Royal Mail’s monopoly on mail delivery by the opening of the mail 5 delivery market to full competition from January 2006, which was welcomed by 6 Liberal Democrats when it was announced. 7 iii) The need for Royal Mail to invest over £2 billion in automation and new equipment to 8 keep the company competitive and to maintain the Universal Service Obligation 9 under which mail is guaranteed delivery to any address in the country for the same 10 price. 11 iv) The tight centralised Treasury constraints on the Royal Mail, which requires the 12 company to compete with schools and hospitals for investment.

13 Conference believes that these challenges can be met by:

14 a) Separating Post Office Limited from Royal Mail Group and retaining it in the public 15 sector. 16 b) Improving the service for customers with mail services through competition. 17 c) Maintaining and protecting the Universal Service Obligation as a statutory 18 requirement. 19 d) Appointing a strong regulator to protect the interests of customers and to hold the

26 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005 Tuesday 20th

20 company to account on behalf of the public interest. 21 e) Ensuring Royal Mail has full commercial freedom to borrow to invest in new equipment 22 and modernisation, and to develop new services without the interference and 23 constraints of the Treasury. 24 f) Changing the ownership of Royal Mail by ensuring a substantial holding is given to Royal 25 Mail staff which would be placed in a trust, thereby making them partners in the 26 company, in a similar manner to those working for the John Lewis Partnership. 27 g) Allowing a substantial minority of shares in Royal Mail to be made available for purchase 28 by small investors which could be bought through Post Office branches as well as other 29 outlets. 30 h) Allowing a minority of shares to be floated on the Stock Market or sold to another bidder. 31 i) Ensuring Royal Mail staff have a full opportunity to participate in the running of the 32 company as partners. 33 j) Preventing any proceeds of the sale being taken by the Treasury by putting the capital 34 raised into a fund for the benefit of the Post Office network.

35 Conference believes that the Government’s managed decline of the Post Office network is 36 unacceptable and believes that a fund created from the sale of shares in Royal Mail should be 37 used to reverse the decline. In particular, Conference calls for the fund to:

38 1. Invest in branches so that every Post Office, with the support of the sub-postmaster/ 39 mistress, can offer the full range of services currently available only in some branches. 40 2. Support credit unions and other self help organisations, especially in low income areas, 41 to help provide Post Office services. 42 3. Invest in opening new branches in communities currently without a Post Office. 43 4. Support financially the setting up of partnerships between Post Office Ltd, local

44 councils, health authorities, police authorities and other governmental bodies to uesday 20th 45 establish joint Post Office branches and one stop shops for service providers. T

46 Conference calls on Liberal Democrats to campaign against the Government’s continued and 47 gradual demolition of the Post Office network and welcomes the Party’s calls for a revival of 48 the service.

Applicability: Federal.

Note: the deadline for amendments to this motion is 12.00, Wednesday 14th September, to the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrat HQ (see page 2). Those selected for debate will be printed in Sunday’s Advance Notice Sheet.

Mover of motion: 7 minutes; all other speakers: 4 minutes.

www.libdems.org.uk 27 Tuesday 20th

11.20 Party Business

Chair: Jeremy Hargreaves Aide: Geoff Payne

F29 Speech by Dr Vincent Cable MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer 11.40 Policy Motion

Chair: Ben Rich Aide: Ruth Polling

F30 School Discipline: School Communities and Pastoral Care

Kingston Borough Mover: Edward Davey MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Education) Summation: Cllr Mary Reid

1 Conference reaffirms existing Liberal Democrat policy on improving school discipline, with its

T 2 emphasis on early intervention, coupled with effective measures to deal with the persistently uesday 20th uesday 3 disruptive, including:

4 i) Smaller class sizes in primary schools, to give teachers more time with pupils. 5 ii) An emphasis on strong leadership from headteachers, and more systematic training for 6 all staff in behaviour management. 7 iii) A reformed secondary curriculum, to widen choice and engage more students. 8 iv) More effective support for children with special educational needs. 9 v) The use of ‘positive behaviour plans’ that encourage and reward good behaviour and 10 involve parents. 11 vi) ‘Managed transfers’ to ensure temporary and permanent exclusions tackle the 12 underlying causes of a pupil’s poor behaviour and do not end up passing the problem on. 13 vii) Immediate involvement of the police when a teacher is physically assaulted by pupils or 14 parents.

15 Conference notes that this policy is in line with the Ofsted report published in March 2005, 16 which said that the key to good school discipline is good leadership, consistency and 17 appropriate curriculum, not headline-grabbing draconian measures which misrepresent the 18 good behaviour of the vast majority of pupils.

19 Conference also believes that pupils must be involved more in taking responsibility for good 20 behaviour, by building strong school communities and developing excellent pastoral care. 21 While recognising that there cannot be a ‘one-size-fits-all’ policy, Conference supports:

22 a) More schools considering traditional ‘House’ systems and tutor groups, to build 23 communities within schools, especially across ages, and to encourage healthy 24 competition, especially in sports. 25 b) Larger secondary schools wishing to opt for a ‘schools within schools’ model.

28 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005 Tuesday 20th

26 c) More training for teachers leading on pastoral care roles, such as House Heads, Tutors or 27 Year Heads, while opposing Government proposals to downgrade the pastoral role of 28 teachers. 29 d) Encouraging all schools to give pupils responsibility, and in particular to introduce peer 30 support systems appropriate to the school’s needs, from prefect systems to anti-bullying 31 schemes such as befriending, mentoring and peer mediation. 32 e) Encouraging closer working between primaries, secondaries and colleges, at the 33 transition point, when pupils are moving to a new learning community.

34 Conference further believes that policies for persistently disruptive pupils need to be more 35 effective, to involve the parents earlier and to intervene earlier, especially in relation to 36 truancy, and therefore supports:

37 1. The wider use of learning support units within schools, including primary schools, to 38 tackle behaviour problems early. 39 2. Earlier use of parenting contracts by schools, to tackle low-level disruption and to 40 involve the parents in taking responsibility before exclusion. 41 3. Community-wide cooperation for tackling truancy, involving parents, police, welfare 42 officers and local traders, with measures such as truancy sweeps, home visits and a first- 43 day response to truancy. 44 4. Best practice guidance on the use of voluntary parenting classes, family mediation 45 schemes and compulsory parenting classes, where these are used as a last resort. 46 5. A multi-agency approach with children’s services, housing providers, the police, NHS 47 and the voluntary sector, combining their differing preventive strategies to ensure the 48 early identification of children with mental health difficulties.

Applicability: England. uesday 20th

Mover of motion: 7 minutes; all other speakers: 4 minutes.

12.25 Party Business

Chair: Ben Rich Aide: Ruth Polling

F31 Speech by Sarah Teather MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

12.45 Lunch

www.libdems.org.uk 29 Tuesday 20th

14.15Policy Motion

Chair: Sal Brinton Aide: Cllr James Gurling

F32 Emergency Motions

Note: the deadline for emergency motions is 12.00, Wednesday 14 September, to the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrat HQ (see page 2). Those selected for debate and/or proposed for the ballot will be printed in Sunday’s Advance Notice sheet.

Mover of motion: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes.

14.45 Party Business

Chair: Harriet Smith (Vice Chair, Federal Conference Committee) Aide: James Gurling

F33 Presentation by Scottish Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party T uesday 20th uesday 15.05 Consultation Session

Chair: Lord Wallace of Saltaire Aide: Duncan Brack (Chair, Federal Conference Committee) Rapporteurs: Victoria Greaves and Christian Moon

F34 Meeting the Challenge

The session will be organised by the Meeting the Challenge Working Group. Party members wishing to speak should submit a consultation card. The conclusions of the session will be taken into account by the group when drawing up their final report.

18.00 Close of Session

30 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005 Wednesday 21st

10.30 Party Business

Chair: Cllr James Gurling Aide: Cllr Sarah Boad

F35 Reports of the Parliamentary Parties of the Liberal Democrats

Movers: Andrew Stunell MP (Chief Whip, House of Commons) Lord Roper (Chief Whip, House of Lords) Bill Newton-Dunn (Chief Whip, European Parliament)

11.15Party Business

Chair: Cllr Jon Ball Aide: Jeremy Hargreaves (Vice Chair, Federal Policy Committee)

F36 Urgent Issue

Introducer of issue and spokesperson’s response: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes.

12.00 Party Business ednesday 21st

W Chair: Lynne Featherstone MP Aide: Qassim Afzal

F37 Speech by Mark Oaten MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary

www.libdems.org.uk 31 Wednesday 21st

12.20 Policy Motion

Chair: Sue Garden Aide: Duncan Brack (Chair, Federal Conference Committee)

F38 Ending Elective Dictatorship

21 Conference Representatives Mover: Lord Goodhart (Liberal Democrat Shadow Lord Chancellor) Summation: Lord Maclennan of Rogart

1 Conference believes that:

2 a) ‘Elective dictatorship’ – the lack of proper checks on the power of a government with a 3 working majority in the House of Commons – is the most serious flaw in the British 4 Constitution.

5 b) This flaw is made worse by an electoral system which has given a working majority to a 6 party which had the support of little more than one-third of the of the votes at the 7 general election.

8 c) Increasing disengagement of the public from Parliament and political activity can only 9 be reversed by ensuring that votes are more effective.

10 Conference is concerned that the present Government is threatening to reduce the 11 effectiveness of the checks which do exist by curbing the power of the House of Lords and 12 reducing the independences of the Civil Service.

W 13 Conference therefore calls for: ednesday 21st ednesday 14 1. Election of the members of the House of Commons by proportional representation.

15 2. A House of Lords, exercising powers similar to those it now exercises, but wholly or 16 mainly elected by proportional representation, and with no hereditary element.

17 3. The major powers now exercisable by government under the Royal Prerogative, including 18 the treaty-making process and the power to make war, to be derived from statute and 19 subject to such conditions of Parliamentary scrutiny and control as are provided by law.

20 4. Legislation to prevent electoral fraud, particularly in postal or electronic voting.

21 5. A Civil Service Act to protect the independence and integrity of the Civil Service.

22 6. Restoration of the powers and capacity for local decision-making to local government.

23 7. Preliminary work on a draft written constitution for the United Kingdom, to be 24 considered in due course by a Constitutional Convention.

Applicability: Federal, except for 6 which is England-only.

32 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005 Wednesday 21st

Mover of motion: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes.

12.45 Lunch

14.15Policy Motion

Chair: Cllr Sarah Boad Aide: Dee Doocey AM (London)

F39 Road User Pricing

16 Conference Representatives Mover: Tom Brake MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Transport) Summation: To be announced

1 Conference recognises that:

2 i) Traffic in England has grown by 11% since 1997 and is forecast to grow by as much as 3 25% between 2000 and 2010.

4 ii) The UK has the most congested roads in Europe, with congestion levels forecast to grow 5 by between 11% and 20% over the next ten years, according to the Commission for 6 Integrated Transport.

7 iii) Latest government figures show that greenhouse gas emissions from all forms of road 8 transport increased 13% since 1990, with greenhouse gas emissions from road transport ednesday 21st

W 9 now constituting 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions compared with 14% in 1990.

10 iv) Congestion is a major expense to business and damages UK competitiveness.

11 v) The immediate pollution from congestion leads to increased incidence of illness 12 amongst people living in affected communities.

13 Conference notes that:

14 a) Radical measures need to be introduced to reduce emissions and congestion.

15 b) Conference notes that road user pricing, adopted in principle as Liberal Democrat policy 16 at the conference of autumn 2004, is now being advocated and investigated by the 17 British Government.

www.libdems.org.uk 33 Wednesday 21st

18 Conference supports Government plans to encourage smaller scale pilot schemes prior to the 19 consideration of any UK-wide system

20 Conference recalls that lorry road user charging has been Liberal Democrat policy since 2001, 21 and condemns the Government for the announcement in July 2005 that they are abandoning 22 this scheme.

23 Conference supports moves towards a system of national road user pricing within the United 24 Kingdom, provided that:

25 1. Vehicle excise duty and fuel duty will be scrapped on the introduction of the new system.

26 2. Road user pricing will not be used to collect more money for the government than 27 vehicle excise duty and fuel duty combined.

28 3. Civil liberties will be safeguarded.

29 4. Foreign lorries will be included in the scheme.

30 5. Location, congestion and vehicle emissions will be taken into account in fixing for any 31 particular journey the appropriate road user charge.

Applicability: Federal.

Requests for separate votes may be submitted in writing by voting representatives to the Chair of W

ednesday 21st ednesday the debate at any time up to the commencement of closing speeches, but they will have a much higher chance of being accepted if they are submitted by 12.00 noon, Wednesday 14th September; to the Policy Unit, as above.

Mover of motion: 7 minutes; all other speakers: 4 minutes.

15.00 Party Business

Chair: Andrew Wiseman (Vice Chair, Federal Conference Committee) Aide: Cllr Jon Ball

F40 Question and Answer Session on the Environment

An opportunity to put questions on the environment and party policy to a panel of speakers, including:

Norman Baker MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment and Rural Affairs) Dr Vincent Cable MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer) Sir Robert Smith MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Energy)

34 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005 Wednesday 21st

Baroness Miller of (Lords Environment Spokesperson) Chilthorne Domer Chris Davies MEP (Leader of the British Liberal Democrat European Parliamentary Party and Spokesperson on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee of the European Parliament) Andrew Lee (Director of Policy, WWF)

Note: Conference representatives may submit concise questions (maximum 25 words) on Question Cards to the Speakers’ Table by 12.45 on Wednesday 21st September. The Chair will select which questioners to call to ask their questions during the session.

15.45 Policy Motion

Chair: Cllr Arnie Gibbons Aide: Harriet Smith (Vice Chair, Federal Conference Committee)

F41 Tackling Carbon Emissions: A Strategy for Clean and Sustainable Energy

Federal Policy Committee Mover: Sir Robert Smith MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Energy) Summation: Norman Baker MP (Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment and Rural Affairs)

1 Conference recognises that:

2 a) Climate change is the greatest threat facing the planet. 3 b) Greenhouse gas emissions are a global problem which can only be tackled effectively by 4 international action, including by those countries not included in the first phase of the 5 Kyoto Protocol. 6 c) International agreement is more likely to be achieved if developed countries such as the 7 UK set an example by creating a successful low-carbon economy;

8 Conference therefore reaffirms that the UK must put itself on course to reduce overall UK CO2 9 emissions (including from international aviation) by a minimum of 60% by 2050, with an

10 interim target of a 20% reduction by 2010. ednesday 21st

W 11 Conference also supports the development of annual targets subject to Parliamentary 12 scrutiny.

13 Conference rejects the use of nuclear power generation as a means of achieving a reduction in

14 CO2 emissions because of the expense to the taxpayer, risk of accidents, the long-term legacy 15 of waste and the danger of terrorist exploitation of nuclear material, and calls for existing 16 nuclear stations to be closed at the end of their safe operating lives and not replaced. 17 Conference recognises the scenarios included in the Royal Commission on Environmental 18 Pollution’s report Energy – The Changing Climate, which show how the 60% reduction target 19 can be achieved without nuclear power.

20 Conference calls for the adoption of a sustainable energy strategy based on energy demand 21 reduction, greater energy efficiency, the use of economic instruments, combined heat and

www.libdems.org.uk 35 Wednesday 21st

22 power, micro-generation and community-based forms of generation and a mix of renewable 23 energy sources that includes biomass, wind, wave, tidal, and solar, with specific policies to 24 include:

25 1. Ensuring that 20% of UK electricity is generated from a range of renewable sources by 26 2020 by, for example, strengthening the Renewables Obligation and developing a 27 similar obligation to promote renewable heat.

28 2. Reforms to the regulation of energy markets and trading arrangements to reduce 29 barriers to small energy suppliers.

30 3. Government commitment to British targets to reduce emissions in the long term through 31 the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, and the replacement of the existing complicated 32 Climate Change Levy with a simpler Carbon Tax on a revenue neutral basis.

33 4. A sustained commitment to increasing energy efficiency, for example through new 34 initiatives to promote energy savings by households and business.

35 Conference regrets the lack of progress on climate change at the G8 summit and the negative 36 attitude of the US Administration. Conference calls on the UK and the EU to take the lead on 37 negotiations for the next set of international targets for greenhouse gas emissions under the 38 Kyoto Protocol, bringing in countries not included from the first phase, on the basis of the 39 long-term goal of ‘contraction and convergence’.

Applicability: Federal.

Note: the deadline for amendments to this motion is 12.00, Wednesday 14 September, to the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrat HQ (see page 2). Those selected for debate will be printed in

Sunday’s Advance Notice Sheet.

W ednesday 21st ednesday Requests for separate votes may be submitted in writing by voting representatives to the Chair of the debate at any time up to the commencement of closing speeches, but they will have a much higher chance of being accepted if they are submitted by 12.00 noon, Wednesday 14th September; to the Policy Unit, as above.

Mover of motion: 7 minutes; all other speakers: 4 minutes.

16.45 Party Business

Chair: Cllr Arnie Gibbons Aide: Harriet Smith (Vice Chair, Federal Conference Committee)

F42 Speech by Rt Hon Jim Wallace QC MSP, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats 1992-2005

36 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005 Wednesday 21st

17.05 Constitutional Amendments

Chair: Duncan Brack (Chair, Federal Conference Committee) Aide: Ruth Polling

F43 Leadership Election Nominations

Ten Conference Representatives Mover: Lord Kirkwood Summation: To be announced

1 In Article 10.5:

2 Delete: ‘who must be proposed and seconded by other such members’.

3 And insert: ‘who must be proposed by at least ten percent of other such members of the 4 Parliamentary Party in the House of Commons’.

Mover of motion: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes.

Note: a Constitutional Amendment requires a two-thirds majority to pass.

The relevant part of the existing constitution states:

10.5 Nominations must be of a Member of the Parliamentary Party in the House of Commons, who must be proposed and seconded by other such Members and supported by 200 members in aggregate in not less than 20 Local Parties (including, for this purpose, the Specified Associated Organisations representing youth and students as provided by Article 13.8) and must indicate acceptance of nomination.

F44 Parliamentary Candidates

North Southwark and Bermondsey ednesday 21st

Mover: Simon Hughes MP W Summation; Simon Hughes MP

1 In Article 11 ‘Parliamentary Candidates’:

2 In 11.3 c) delete: ‘of ethnic minorities’ and insert: ‘a reasonable proportion of black and 3 minority ethnic candidates’.

4 In 11.5 g) delete: ‘there must also be due regard for the representation of ethnic minorities’ 5 and insert: ‘in each constituency where the latest national census shows that 10% or more of 6 the population is from black or minority ethnic communities, short lists shall contain at least 7 one candidate who is black or from a minority ethnic community, unless in exceptional 8 circumstances the relevant State Candidates Committee has authorised otherwise’.

www.libdems.org.uk 37 Wednesday 21st

Amendment One

Huntingdon Mover: Ron Heinrich Summation: To be announced

1 In line 2, delete: ‘black and’.

2 In line 7, delete: ‘black or’.

Mover of motion: 7 minutes; all other speakers: 4 minutes.

Note: a Constitutional Amendment requires at least a two-thirds majority to pass.

The relevant parts of the existing constitution state:

11.3 In deciding whether to enter an applicant on a list, each State Candidates Committee shall take into account:

(a) the support shown by the applicant for the fundamental values and objectives of the Party;

(b) the previous participation by the applicant in the work of the Party or a former Party, both generally and within the relevant State;

(c) the need to ensure that the list contains a reasonable balance between both sexes and different age groups, and includes representatives of

different social and economic groups and of ethnic minorities; and W

ednesday 21st ednesday (d) such other considerations as may be relevant in the circumstances.

11.5 The rules for the selection of Westminster candidates shall comply with the following requirements:

(g) subject to there being a sufficient number of applicants of each sex, short lists of two to four must include at least one member of each sex and short lists of five or more must include at least two members of each sex; there must also be due regard for the representation of ethnic minorities;

18.00 Close of Session

38 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005 Thursday 22nd

09.00 Policy Motion

Chair: Ruth Polling Aide: Marie-Louise Rossi

F45 Emergency Motions

Mover of motion: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes.

09.30 Policy Motion

Chair: Cllr Alan Sherwell Aide: Cllr Margaret Godden

F46 Anti-Social Behaviour

Islington Mover: Cllr Laura Willoughby Summation: Cllr Bridget Fox

1 Conference notes that:

2 A. Acts which are not criminal but which cause severe disruption to the lives of other 3 citizens are a growing problem and matter of public concern across the UK.

4 B. The Labour Government’s solution to this problem has been the introduction of Anti- 5 Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs).

6 C. ASBOs are now being used increasingly widely, with 2,600 issued last year.

7 D. One council alone has issued ASBOs to 550 of its residents.

8 E. ASBOs have many serious disadvantages:

9 i) In many cases they do not succeed in tackling the problem that they seek to 10 address, and do nothing to tackle the causes of anti-social behaviour. 11 ii) They are regularly misused to impose a particular way of life on individuals, rather 12 than to prevent serious harm, which is an unacceptable use of the law in a liberal

13 society. Thursday 22nd 14 iii) They are only effective if the police devote sufficient resources to ensure they are 15 observed, and often merely push the activity into another area. 16 iv) Vulnerable groups who are given ASBOs banning them from one area are often 17 thereby cut off from any support or help they were accessing. 18 v) ASBOs are being increasingly used for trivial, ridiculous and inappropriate issues.

www.libdems.org.uk 39 Thursday 22nd

19 vi) By breaching ASBOs, individuals often find themselves imprisoned for acts which 20 are not criminal offences. 21 vii) Approximately 10 children a week are jailed for offences that would not otherwise 22 carry a prison sentence.

23 Conference further notes that Liberal Democrat councils have devised and used many more 24 effective and more liberal ways of combatting anti-social behaviour, including:

25 I. Islington Council developed Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) and Parental 26 Control Agreements, which involve the offender agreeing which sorts of behaviour are 27 acceptable.

28 II. Somerset County Council uses a highly effective mentoring scheme for 5-19 year olds 29 called PROMISE.

30 III. West Berkshire District Council pioneered early intervention with ‘at risk’ 8-12 year olds 31 by the youth offending team.

32 IV. Cambridge and Kirklees Council have both used innovative and modern design to stop 33 anti-social behaviour in public places and residential areas .

34 V. West Berkshire Council provide a holiday programme for young people out of term time 35 where attendance is rewarded with points that could be redeemed against a specially 36 arranged activity.

37 VI. Watford Council has successfully used a Pubwatch scheme since 1997 to control alcohol- 38 related anti-social behaviour.

39 Conference believes that:

40 a) The approach taken by Liberal Democrat councils to prevent anti-social behaviour before 41 it takes place is often more effective than an ASBO after the event.

42 b) Any attempts to tackle anti-social behaviour should be governed by the following 43 principles:

44 i) That in a liberal society the test for interfering should not be that an action is

Thursday 22nd Thursday 45 annoying but whether it causes harm to others. 46 ii) Assisting people not to want to commit crime or anti-social behaviour will always be 47 more effective than legal restrictions or punishing people after the event.

48 Conference calls for:

49 1. The Government to promote more effective and more liberal ways of dealing with anti- 50 social behaviour such as those employed by Liberal Democrat councils.

51 2. The application of ASBOs to trivial issues to be ended.

52 3. The use of ASBOs to be restricted to serious issues that cause actual harm to other 53 members of society.

40 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005 Thursday 22nd

54 4. Anti-social acts which are a criminal offence to be dealt with through criminal 55 procedures instead.

Applicability: England.

Mover of motion: 7 minutes; all other speakers: 4 minutes.

10.15Policy Motion

Chair: Geoff Payne Aide: Andrew Wiseman (Vice Chair, Federal Conference Committee)

F47 Civil Liberties

Winchester Mover: To be announced Summation: To be announced

1 Conference:

2 I. Condemns the Labour Government’s repeated attempts to extend the power of the state 3 over the citizen without adequate justification and without appropriate safeguards 4 against the abuse of civil liberties; and its repeated failure to allow sufficient time for 5 Parliamentary scrutiny of controversial legislation.

6 II. Deplores:

7 a) The Government’s attempts to restrict the right to jury trial. 8 b) The planned introduction of compulsory Identity Cards and a National Identity 9 Register. 10 c) The ban on spontaneous demonstrations in and around Parliament Square 11 d) The loss of freedom of expression entailed in the creation of a new offence of 12 incitement to religious hatred.

13 III. Rejects Ministers’ repeated attacks on the judiciary, which demonstrate this Thursday 22nd 14 Government’s lack of understanding and respect for the constitutional separation of 15 powers.

16 IV. Also deplores the Government’s use of the Royal Prerogative to avoid parliamentary 17 debate on controversial issues.

www.libdems.org.uk 41 Thursday 22nd

18 V. Welcomes the repeal of powers to imprison individual terrorist suspects without charge 19 or trial under the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, but regrets that the 20 system of Control Orders introduced under the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005 does not 21 include sufficient safeguards against the inappropriate use of the powers.

22 Conference believes that:

23 i) Securing civil liberties requires continuous scrutiny of the executive by Parliament, the 24 judiciary, independent experts and the public.

25 ii) The accountability of ministers and civil servants is crucial to ensuring proper checks and 26 balances on executive power.

27 iii) Despite the very real threat of terrorist attack in this country, as demonstrated on July 28 7th, new legislation must avoid a further erosion of civil liberties.

29 iv) The rights of the British people and the responsibilities of government should be 30 enshrined in a written constitution setting out the powers of Parliament, ministers, 31 judges, the Head of State and the national parliaments and assemblies.

32 Conference therefore calls on the Government to:

33 1. Establish a Commission to draw up a preliminary draft Constitution for the United 34 Kingdom, together with a UK Bill of Rights.

35 2. End Ministers’ use of the Royal Prerogative and ensure that all such powers are subject to 36 parliamentary scrutiny.

37 3. Strengthen Parliament’s ability to scrutinise legislation by:

38 a) Ensuring that other than in exceptional circumstances every Bill is published in 39 draft first. 40 b) Ensuring that no Bill should be considered by a Standing Committee in either House 41 until the Joint Committee on Human Rights has had an opportunity to consider it 42 and report its concerns, and the government has published a formal response.

43 4. Ensure that all relevant Bills are accompanied by a Privacy Impact Assessment that

Thursday 22nd Thursday 44 measures proposals against the effects on the individual citizen’s right to privacy.

45 5. Foster a culture of openness in government departments and to work to reduce 46 substantially the number of cases in which requests for the publication of information 47 are refused.

48 6. Amend the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to widen the circumstance in which the 49 public may see the legal advice given to ministers.

50 7. End the politicisation of the Civil Service with a robust Civil Service Act.

42 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005 Thursday 22nd

51 8. Introduce a new Prevention of Terrorism Bill to reinforce the mainstream criminal law so 52 that exceptional measures which depart from the normal processes of law such as 53 Control Orders are no longer necessary.

54 9. Work for the EU to be strengthened as an area of freedom, security and justice, but only 55 through democratic and transparent decision-making giving full respect to human rights 56 and the rule of law.

Applicability: Federal

Mover of motion: 7 minutes; all other speakers: 4 minutes.

11.00 Party Business

Chair: Simon Hughes MP (President of the Liberal Democrats) Aide: Duncan Brack (Chair, Federal Conference Committee)

F48 Presentation of Awards F49 Speech by the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Rt Hon Charles Kennedy MP 12.30 Close of Conference (Approx)

Thursday 22nd

www.libdems.org.uk 43 Standing orders Standing orders Glossary of terms

This glossary is not formally part of who have not registered for a Policy paper the standing orders but should be particular meeting of conference. A paper prepared by the Federal read in conjunction with them. It is Policy Committee and submitted to included to help representatives Emergency motion conference for debate under the interpret them. A proposal which relates to a specific terms of Article 5.4 of the Federal recent development which occurred Party constitution. Business motion after the deadline for submission of A proposal to conduct the affairs of amendments. Emergency motions Pre-manifesto paper the Party in a particular way or to must be brief. A paper prepared by the Federal express an opinion on the way affairs Policy Committee in the year before a have been conducted. Emergency amendment Westminster or European An amendment to a motion which Parliamentary election as an Business amendment relates to a specific event which indication of the themes and policies A proposal to change a business occurred after the deadline for the likely to be included in the manifesto, motion. Any such proposal should be submission of amendments. It must and submitted to conference for significant, should be within the scope be brief and uncontentious. debate. A pre-manifesto paper will of the original motion and must not be not contain substantive new a direct negative. Full session development of policy. Any part of the conference agenda Committee during which debates or discussion of Procedural motion Throughout these standing orders, business, including formal reports, A proposal that the conduct of a Committee means the Federal takes place. This specifically excludes debate should be changed in a Conference Committee unless formal speeches such as those by the specific way. Procedural motions are: otherwise qualified. Leader or Party Officers. Move to next business Constitutional amendment Non-voting member A proposal that the conference A proposal to change the constitution A party member who has paid the should cease to consider an item of the Party. appropriate registration fee, but, of business and immediately because they are not an elected move to the next item on the Secondary constitutional representative, is not entitled to vote agenda. amendment at conference. A non-voting member An amendment to a constitutional is, however, entitled to submit a Reference back amendment. This must not introduce speaker’s card for any item on which A proposal to refer a motion or new material. voting members may submit a amendment to a named body of speaker’s card. the Party for further Consultative session consideration. A meeting where selected areas of Point of order policy or strategy are considered in A suggestion to the chair of a debate Request for a count greater depth than is possible in full that the conduct of the debate, as A request to the chair that a debates. laid down in the standing orders, has specific vote be counted and not been followed correctly. recorded rather than decided on Day visitor the chair’s assessment of a show Someone who has paid the Policy motion of voting cards. appropriate day visitor fee. Day A proposal to adopt a new policy or visitors are not entitled to speak or reaffirm an existing one. This Separate vote vote in full sessions of conference. includes motions accompanying A request to the chair of a debate policy papers and pre-manifesto that a part or parts of a motion or Elected representative papers. amendment should be voted on A person elected by a local party or separately. an SAO to represent them at Standing Or Standing Policy amendment conference. This term does not A proposal to change a policy motion. Suspension of standing orders include substitutes appointed to Any proposal should be of significant A proposal to relax specific replace an elected representative at a importance, should be within the standing orders for a stated particular meeting of conference. It scope of the original motion and must purpose.

does include elected representatives not be a direct negative. ders

44 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005 Standing orders

Special conference Secondary standing order by the Committee in the Final Agenda An additional meeting of the amendment as meriting a topical motion. conference requisitioned by the An amendment to a standing order Federal Executive, Federal Policy amendment. Voting member Committee, conference itself or 200 A person who is entitled to vote at conference representatives under the Topical motion conference. This term includes provisions of Article 6.6 of the A motion which would otherwise substitutes replacing conference Federal constitution. qualify as a policy or a business representatives for a particular motion, but is either about an event meeting of conference. It does not Standing order amendment which occurs after the deadline for include conference representatives A proposal to change the rules by submission of motions but before the who have not paid any registration which motions are submitted, deadline for submission of fee that may be in force nor does it selected or debated. amendments or on a topic announced include day visitors or observers who are not conference representatives. Standing orders for the Federal Conference

1. The conference agenda Committee provided that conference Federal Policy Committee. may decide not to take any particular d) Policy motions (including 1.1What is on the agenda item on the agenda. amendments, topical policy The agenda for each meeting of motions, emergency policy conference, other than a special 1.2 Conference or council of state motions and amendments) may be conference, shall include time for: parties submitted by the Federal Policy a) One or more consultative In addition, time before or after any Committee, state parties, regional sessions; save that the Committee meeting may be agreed with the parties in England, local parties, may decide not to hold any relevant state party for a meeting of Specified Associated consultative sessions at a spring the conference or council of that Organisations and 10 conference conference. party. representatives. b) A business session or sessions for the consideration of reports from 1.3 Right to submit agenda items 1.4How motions and amendments the Parliamentary Party in the a) Reports to conference may be are submitted House of Commons, the submitted only by the relevant All motions and amendments must be Parliamentary Party in the House Federal Committee. submitted to the Committee. They of Lords, the Parliamentary Party b) Business motions (including must be typed clearly and in the European Parliament, the amendments, topical business accompanied by the name, address Federal Executive, the Federal motions and emergency business and telephone number(s) of a person Policy Committee and the Federal motions and amendments), authorised to agree to their being Conference Committee together constitutional amendments and composited or redrafted. Motions with, when appropriate, accounts, secondary constitutional submitted by conference the annual report, business amendments, standing order representatives must be accompanied motions, constitutional amendments and secondary by all their signatures, names and amendments and standing order standing order amendments may addresses. amendments. be submitted by the Federal c) Policy motions (including motions Executive, Federal Policy 1.5 The deadlines by which motions accompanying policy papers and committee, state parties, regional and amendments and pre-manifesto papers) and topical parties in England, local parties, questions to reports must be motions (at autumn conference Specified Associated submitted only). Organisations and 10 conference The Committee shall specify: d) Emergency motions. representatives. Business a) The closing date for the receipt of e) When appropriate the motions, standing order constitutional amendments and inauguration of a new President of amendments and secondary amendments to standing orders the Federal Party. standing order amendments may and policy motions accompanying f) Any other business which the also be submitted by the Federal policy papers. This shall be at Committee thinks appropriate. Conference Committee. least 15 weeks before the start of The time to be allocated to each type c) Motions accompanying policy conference. of business and the order of that papers and pre-manifesto papers b) The closing date for the receipt of business shall be decided by the may only be submitted by the policy and business motions. For

www.libdems.org.uk 45 Standing Orders Standing orders

the autumn conference, this shall particular, where developments Order 4.3, all proposed amendments be at least 15 weeks before the which, in the opinion of the to the constitution or standing orders start of conference. For the spring Committee, are of great importance must be either selected for debate or conference, this shall be at least 8 have taken place after the closing included in a ballot to allow weeks before the start of date for emergency motions and conference representatives to conference. questions to reports, the Committee determine an order of priority for c) The due date for the publication of may make time available for an allocating time. the Preliminary Agenda. additional emergency motion or for a d) The closing date for receipt of statement to be made on behalf of 3.3 Circulation of the Preliminary amendments to the items the Party or for additional questions Agenda published in the Preliminary to be submitted to reports. The Preliminary Agenda, including Agenda and for the receipt of the text of all motions selected for topical motions (autumn debate or included in a ballot, shall conference only) and policy 2. Consultative Sessions be circulated to those entitled to motions accompanying pre- submit motions. Copies of motions manifesto papers. This shall be at 2.1 The subjects for consultative not selected shall be available for least 8 weeks before the start of sessions inspection and will be supplied to any conference. The subjects for debate at conference representative on e) The closing date for the consultative sessions shall be chosen payment of a copying charge and submission of questions to any of by the Committee on the advice of the postage. the reports listed in the Final Federal Policy Committee and, where Agenda, which shall be at least appropriate, the Federal Executive, 4. Selection of motions and two days before the start of and published in the Preliminary and conference. Final Agendas. Two or more such amendments for both the f) Notwithstanding 1.5(e), sessions may be held simultaneously. Preliminary and Final questions may always be Agendas submitted to any of the reports 2.2 Speaking at consultative listed in the Final Agenda arising sessions 4.1 Compositing or otherwise from events occurring after the Any member of the Party may be altering motions deadline specified in 1.5(e). The called to speak at a consultative In drawing up both the Preliminary deadline for these questions shall session and, with the approval of the and Final Agenda the Committee shall be one hour before the start of chair, non-members with relevant seek to reflect the range of views in the business session at which the expertise may also be called. the Party as indicated by the motions report is due to be considered. and amendments submitted. The g) The closing date for the 2.3 Voting at consultative sessions Committee may: submission of emergency motions At the discretion of the chair a vote a) Treat any severable part of a and amendments and by show of hands may be taken to motion or amendment as a amendments to topical motions indicate the weight of opinion among separate motion or amendment. and policy motions accompanying members present on any issue that b) Redraft a motion or amendment pre-manifesto papers published in has been debated. so as to improve expression, the Final Agenda, which shall be remove inaccuracy or superfluity at least two days before the start or take account of new of conference. 3. The Preliminary Agenda developments. c) Composite similar motions or 1.6Notification of deadlines 3.1 The shortlisting of motions amendments. All dates specified under Standing The Committee shall draw up a Order 1.5 shall be notified to Preliminary Agenda and shall decide 4.2 Selection of amendments conference representatives and which of the motions duly submitted No amendment shall be selected if, in bodies entitled to submit motions. shall be included in it. For the the opinion of the Committee, it is Publication in the party newspaper autumn conference, the Committee insubstantial, outside the scope of may be treated as notice for this may allocate time for one or more the motion, or tantamount to a direct purpose. policy or business motions to be negative of the motion.

Standing Or Standing selected by ballot. 1.7 Later deadlines in special 4.3 Motions for the amendment of circumstances 3.2 Motions for the amendment of the constitution or standing In special circumstances the the constitution or standing orders Committee may specify later dates orders The Committee may refuse to select a

than those indicated above. In Save as detailed below in Standing motion for amendment of the ders

46 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005 Standing orders

constitution or standing orders if, in emergency business motions to to voting conference members as their opinion, it is: debate. If one or more ballots is held soon as practicable. a) Similar in effect to another the Committee shall circulate the text motion which has been selected of all balloted motions to the 5.2 Balance between State and for debate or ballot at the same Representatives attending Federal policy debates meeting of conference. Conference as soon as practicable The Committee shall, in drawing up b) Similar in effect to a motion that and shall specify a closing time for the Final Agenda, have due regard to has been rejected at either of the the ballot. Following the counting of the balance of State and Federal last two meetings of conference. any ballots the Committee shall policy debates and in particular shall c) In the case of amendments to the decide how many motions shall be as far as possible organise the constitution, incomplete in that it debated in the time available. agenda so that all matters which leaves unamended some other relate to one or more state parties part of the constitution which 4.7 Emergency amendments but not all State Parties or the contradicts the meaning of the The Committee shall have complete Federal Party shall be considered at amendment. discretion whether to select either the beginning or the end of the d) In the case of amendments to emergency amendments for debate, conference. standing orders, incomplete in save that emergency amendments that it leaves unamended some shall not be taken at spring other part of standing orders conference. 6. Special meetings which contradicts the meaning of the amendment. 4.8 Holding motions 6.1 Timetabling of special e) Ambiguous. A policy or business motion which meetings contains no substantive text at the The Committee shall, as soon as 4.4 Topical motions (autumn time of its submission (a ‘holding practicable after the requisitioning of conference) motion’) may be submitted for a special meeting of the conference, The Committee may include any consideration by the Committee. This fix a date for the meeting, draw up a topical motion on the agenda. The includes policy motions intended to Preliminary Agenda and, if Committee may announce, in the accompany policy papers yet to be appropriate, specify a date for the Preliminary and/or Final Agenda, published. The Committee may accept submission of amendments. The that it has reserved time for a topical no more than two such motions from Committee may, if necessary, proceed motion on a particular subject and any one body on to the agenda for straight to a Final Agenda and set an invite submissions on that subject by any autumn conference, and one such appropriate deadline for a specified date prior to the start of motion from any one body for any amendments. The meeting shall deal conference. spring conference. In unusual only with the business stated in the circumstances, such as the notice of requisition save that the 4.5 Emergency motions conference immediately following a Committee may allow time for The Committee may reject an general election, the Committee shall emergency motions and for business emergency motion if: have discretion to accept a higher which is formal or, in its opinion, a) It is similar in effect to another number of holding motions. A full uncontentious. motion that has been selected for account of the reasons for the debate or ballot. submission of all holding motions 6.2 Preferred timescales for special b) It is unclear as to its meaning or shall be included in the report to meetings intent. conference of the relevant In setting dates for the submission of c) It falls outside the definition of committee. motions and amendments and giving emergency motions. notice thereof and of the conference No amendment shall be taken to any itself the Committee shall endeavour motion selected under this Standing 5. The Final Agenda to follow the timescales laid down Order. elsewhere in these standing orders 5.1 Drawing up the Final Agenda but, where this is not practicable, the 4.6 Ballots for emergency motions The Committee may, in drawing up Committee shall set such dates as it All emergency motions, except those the Final Agenda: sees fit. rejected under Standing Order 4.5, a) Transfer any constitutional or must be placed either on the agenda standing order amendment from for debate or in a ballot for selection the ballot to the agenda for 7. Appeals by Conference. The Committee may debate. hold separate ballots to select which b) Remove a motion which was on 7.1 Appeals against rejection of of a range of emergency policy the Preliminary Agenda. motions motions and which of a range of The Final Agenda shall be circulated The Committee shall provide written

www.libdems.org.uk 47 Standing Orders Standing orders

reasoning to the nominee of the business as set out in the Final given permission. Such proposers for the rejection of any Agenda. Such variation shall be put permission shall only be given motion or amendment or the removal to the vote and shall take effect if exceptionally. of any motion from the Preliminary approved by a majority of those Additionally the Committee may, on Agenda. The proposers may appeal, in voting. the proposal of the President, invite writing, to the next meeting of the any person to address the conference Committee. Any such appeal shall 9.2 Withdrawal of motions and as a guest. provide reasons why, in the opinion amendments of the proposers, the expressed Once the Committee has included a 9.5 The special rights of the reasons for rejection are not valid. If motion or amendment, or part of a Federal Committees the appeal is allowed, the motion or motion or amendment, in the Final Provided that the Federal Policy amendment shall be treated as a Agenda, it may not be withdrawn Committee is not proposing the topical or emergency motion or except by leave of conference. motion or any of the amendments to amendment according to the stage of be taken in a particular debate it the agenda-setting process at which 9.3 The order of debate shall have the right to nominate a the appeal has been allowed. The Committee shall direct the order person to report its views on the of debate. Generally, however, a subject before the conference. The 7.2 Appeals against exclusion from motion will be moved and Federal Executive shall have similar conference immediately thereafter the rights on business motions or Any person excluded from conference amendments and options will be motions to amend the constitution, by a decision of the Chief Steward moved in the order directed by the as shall the Federal Conference shall have the right of appeal to the Committee. There will then be a Committee on motions relating to the Committee at the next of its regular general debate. The movers of proceeding and procedures of the meetings. The exclusion shall remain amendments and options (or their conference and to amend standing in force pending the appeal. If the nominees) shall have the right of orders. Such a person shall be called person who is excluded is a voting reply in the same order, after which to speak for the same length of time member of conference, their local the mover of the motion (or the as the person replying on behalf of party or SAO shall be contacted mover’s nominee) shall have the the mover of the motion. immediately and invited to appoint a right of reply. Votes shall then be substitute for the remainder of the taken on the amendments and 9.6 The selection of speakers conference. options in the order in which they Voting and non-voting members have been moved and, finally, on the wishing to speak in any debate shall substantive motion. The Committee submit a speaker’s card, prior to the 8. The chair may direct that part of any motion or commencement of the debate in amendment or groups or which they wish to speak, stating 8.1 Who chairs conference amendments may be the subject of a whether they wish to speak for or The President, if present, shall take separate debate. against an amendment, the motion or the chair at the formal opening and part of the motion. The chair shall be closing of conference and when the 9.4 Who may speak responsible for the choice of the Party Leader is making a formal Only voting or non-voting members speakers and shall attempt to provide speech from the platform. At all other may speak at a full session of a balanced debate between the sessions the chair shall be appointed conference, save that other persons different viewpoints in the by the Committee. Normally no may speak in the following conference, but may announce a person shall chair more than one circumstances: departure from this rule if there is an session at any meeting. a) As a member of the Federal Policy overwhelming preponderance of Committee representing that members wishing to speak on the 8.2 The chair’s aide committee in a policy debate. same side. The chair shall have the The Committee may appoint an aide b) As a member of the Federal discretion to accept speakers’ cards or aides to assist the chair of each Conference Committee after the start of the debate. Save as session. representing that committee in provided for in these standing orders, debates on standing orders and no person may speak more than once matters of conference procedure. in any debate.

Standing Or Standing 9. Conduct of debate c) As a member of the Federal Executive representing that 9.7 The length of speeches 9.1 Variation in the order of committee on matters of party The Committee shall set out in the business business. Final Agenda time limits for The Committee may propose to the d) If called by the chair of the speeches. The Committee or the chair

conference a variation in the order of session, after the Committee has may propose to conference a change ders

48 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005 Standing orders

in these limits. If a vote is requested vote, no point of order shall be taken the motion under debate. The it shall be taken immediately without that does not refer to the conduct of submission shall state to whom speeches and the change shall take the vote. The chair’s decision on all the motion is to be referred and effect if approved by a majority of points of order shall be final. shall include a statement of the those voting. No count shall be taken reasons, including reasons why on such a vote, the chair’s decision voting against the motion would being final. 12.Procedural motions not achieve a similar result, not exceeding 75 words. 9.8 Where to speak from 12.1 Next business b) The chair may take the request to All speeches shall be made from the a) A voting member may, during any refer back at whatever stage of the rostrum, save that speeches by the full conference session, submit, in debate they consider appropriate. President or Leader of the Party, writing, a request that conference If more than one request is except when participating in debate, move to next business, giving the received, the chair shall decide or by a guest invited by the reasons to do so. The submission which to take. No more than one Committee, or on the occasion of the shall not exceed 75 words. request may be taken with respect opening or the closing of the b) The chair may either take the to any motion. meeting, may be made from the request immediately upon receipt, c) When the request is to be taken, platform. or at the end of any speech the chair shall read the statement currently being made. If more of reasons and ask conference than one request is received the whether it wishes to consider the 10.Voting at conference chair shall decide which to take. request to refer. If conference No more than one request may be decides, by a simple majority of 10.1 The method of voting taken in respect to any motion or those voting, to do so, the person Voting cards shall be issued at each report. who made the request may speak meeting to voting members. (The c) When the request is to be taken, and the mover of the substantive Committee may direct that voting on the chair shall read the statement motion, or their nominee, may any issue be by ballot.) Subject of reasons and ask conference reply. The chair may allow other thereto all votes at full sessions shall whether it wishes to consider the speakers. All speeches under this be taken by show of voting cards. request to move to next business. standing order shall be limited to If conference decides, by a simple two minutes. If conference 10.2 Counting of votes majority of those voting, to do so, decides not to debate the A vote by show of voting cards shall the person who made the request reference back, it falls. be counted: may speak. The chair may allow d) The reference back shall require a a) If the Committee has so directed. other speakers. All speeches simple majority of those voting to b) If the chair so directs. under this standing order shall be be passed. If the substantive c) As the result of a procedural limited to two minutes. If motion is referred to the Federal motion under Standing Order 12.5 conference decides not to debate Executive, the Federal Policy below. the proposal, it falls. Committee or the Federal A recount will only be held if the chair d) The proposal shall require a two- Conference Committee that body is not satisfied that the first count thirds majority of those voting to shall, in its report to the next was accurate. be passed. If it is carried the meeting of the conference, state current agenda item shall be what action it has taken on the 10.3 Separate votes abandoned without any further reference. A separate vote may be taken on a debate or vote and, at the part of a motion or amendment: discretion of the chair, either the 12.3 Reference back (moved by the a) On the direction of the next agenda item shall be taken or Federal Policy Committee) Committee. there shall be an adjournment a) The Federal Policy Committee may, b) At the discretion of the chair. until the time at which the next at any time before the beginning c) As a result of a procedural motion agenda item was due to be taken. of the debate on a motion, under Standing Order 12.4 below. submit, in writing, a request to 12.2 Reference back (moved by a refer that motion to the next representative) meeting of the conference. The 11.Points of order a) A voting member, who has not chair shall announce the already spoken in the debate, existence of such a request at the 11.1 Making a point of order may, at any time before the chair start of the debate. Any voting member may rise on a has asked the first speaker in b) The chair may take the request to point of order which shall be taken reply to stand by, submit, in refer back at whatever stage of the immediately except that, during a writing, a request to refer back debate they consider appropriate.

www.libdems.org.uk 49 Standing Orders Standing orders

A nominee of the Federal Policy c) No motion to suspend standing questions to any report tabled for Committee will speak and the orders to introduce a motion or consideration, by the deadlines set mover of the substantive motion, amendment on to the agenda can under Standing Orders 1.5 (e) and or their nominee, may reply. The be taken unless the motion or (f). The Committee shall publish in chair shall have discretion amendment has been submitted advance of the report session all the whether to allow other speakers to the Committee in accordance questions submitted under Standing on the request. with the published timetable and, Order 1.5 (e) which are in order, c) The reference back shall require a where a right of appeal against compositing similar questions where simple majority of those voting to non-selection exists, the right has appropriate. be passed. If passed, the Federal been exercised. Policy Committee shall, before the d) The chair shall read the statement 13.3 Whether questions are in order next meeting of the conference, of purpose and, if the suspension or not circulate its reasons for acting is allowable in the terms of this A question shall be ruled out of order under this section and its standing order, ask the if it asks the body submitting the comments on the motion and any conference whether it wishes to report about issues which are outside amendments thereto accepted for debate the request for its duties and responsibilities. If the debate. suspension. If the conference question could be answered by decides not to debate the request, another body reporting to the same 12.4 Separate vote it falls. If the conference decides, conference, the Committee may A voting member of conference may by a majority of those present and transfer the question to that body. request that the chair take a separate voting, to hear the request the vote on a part of a motion or mover may speak and a 13.4 How questions and amendment provided that such a representative of the Committee supplementary questions are request is in writing and received may reply. The chair shall have the put and answered before the commencement of the discretion to allow other speakers. After the report is moved, the mover, speeches in reply to the debate. The All speeches on the motion to or their nominee, shall answer the chair shall have complete discretion suspend standing orders will be questions in turn. After each whether to take a separate vote. limited to two minutes. question has been answered, the e) A motion to suspend standing voting member who submitted the 12.5 Counted vote orders shall only be carried if question will be given the Any voting member may ask for a supported by at least two-thirds opportunity to put a supplementary counted vote, which shall be taken if of the conference members question, speaking for a maximum of the request is supported by 50 voting. If the procedural motion is two minutes, and the mover, or their members rising in their places and carried all standing orders shall nominee, will be given an showing their voting cards. remain in force except only for the opportunity to respond. The chair purposes set out in the motion. shall determine the time given to the 12.6 Suspension of standing orders mover in moving the report and a) A voting conference member may, 12.7 No procedural motions during replying to questions. The chair shall during any full conference votes also determine how many of the session, move a motion for the No procedural motion can be moved published questions, and how many suspension of standing orders. during a vote. of the questions submitted under The mover shall submit the motion Standing Order 1.5 (f), can be taken. together with a written statement After the conference the Committee of its purpose, not exceeding 75 13.Reports shall publish the answers to all words, to the chair, who shall read questions submitted under Standing them to the meeting. 13.1 Which reports are tabled Orders 1.5 (e) and (f) which are in b) No motion to suspend standing The business session or sessions of order, and to all supplementary orders may suspend any the conference must include questions asked. requirement of the constitution, consideration of reports from the nor any part of these standing bodies listed in Standing Order 13.5 Approval or rejection of reports orders which govern: 1.1(b). It may also include from Federal Party committees i) The rights of, or timetable for, consideration of any other reports or sub-committees

Standing Or Standing submission of motions and submitted by any Federal Party Any report tabled by a Federal Party amendments. committee or sub-committee. committee or sub-committee must be ii) Consultative sessions. submitted for approval by the iii) Procedural motions for next 13.2 Submission and selection of conference and must be voted upon business or suspension of questions accordingly. A voting member may

standing orders. A voting member may submit move the rejection of any part of the ders

50 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005 Standing orders

report or of the report as a whole. A be voted upon accordingly. A voting members of conference voting on a voting member wishing to move a member may move not to receive the motion duly submitted and selected rejection shall submit a speaker’s report, by submitting a speaker’s card in accordance with standing orders. card prior to the commencement of prior to the commencement of the Subject to any amendment they shall the consideration of the report, consideration of the report. A move remain in force from meeting to stating the section(s) which they not to receive a report must be meeting. wish to have rejected. All moves to debated (except that the chair shall reject a report must be debated have discretion to choose between (except that the chair shall have more than one move not to receive 15. The Chair and Vice Chairs discretion to choose between moves the same report), at the conclusion of of the Committee to reject the same part of the report), the question session. The person who at the conclusion of the question made the request shall speak and the 15.1 Chair and Vice Chairs session. The person who made the mover of the report, or their At its first meeting after a new request shall speak and the mover of nominee, shall reply. The chair may election the Committee shall elect a the report, or their nominee, shall allow other speakers, and shall Chair, who must be a member of the reply. The chair may allow other determine the time given to all Committee directly elected by speakers, and shall determine the speakers. conference, and at least one Vice time given to all speakers. Chair, who must be a member of the 14. Amendment of standing Committee either directly elected by 13.6 Receipt of reports from other conference or elected by one of the bodies orders State Parties. Any report tabled by a body other than a Federal Party committee or 14.1 Amendment of standing orders sub-committee must be submitted for These standing orders may be receipt by the conference and must amended by a two-thirds majority of The Federal Party Officers of the Federal Party Members of the Federal Conference Committee

Leader Rt Hon Charles Kennedy MP Qassim Afzal President Simon Hughes MP Cllr Jon Ball Chair of FFAC David Griffiths Cllr Sarah Boad Treasurer Tim Clement-Jones Duncan Brack (Chair) Vice President (England) Stan Collins Dee Doocey AM (London) Vice President (Scotland) Judy Hayman Cllr Gareth Epps Vice President (Wales) Lembit Öpik MP Sue Garden Chief Executive Chris Rennard MBE Cllr Arnie Gibbons Cllr Margaret Godden Federal Conference Committee Cllr James Gurling (FE Rep) Jeremy Hargreaves (FPC Rep) The Conference Committee is responsible for all Simon Hughes MP (President) questions concerning the organisation of the Chris Jennings (Acting Chief Steward) Conference. A member of the Conference Committee Jim Kelleher (Welsh Rep) may be contacted via the Information Desk in the foyer Sarah Morris (Staff Rep) of Hall Q, where registration and the exhibition are Geoff Payne (FPC Rep) located, or via the Stewards’ Table at the side of the Ruth Polling Auditorium by the platform. Chris Rennard MBE Marie Louise Rossi (FE Rep) Members of the Conference Committee are identified by Harriet Smith (Vice Chair) their purple and gold badges. Jane Smithard Debra Storr (Scottish Rep) Stuart Marritt has overall responsibility for the Andrew Stunell MP (Chief Whip) organisation and administration of the Conference. Andrew Wiseman (English Rep) (Vice Chair)