Conference fringe Sunday 14th September sponsored by Core sponsors media partner www.urban-hub.org At this year’s Liberal Democrat Party conference, the Urban Hub will examine the economic, social and cultural opportunities and Sunday challenges our towns and cities face in an uncertain economic climate. Come along and join the debate. Venue: Clifton Suite, Hermitage Hotel, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, Dorset BH2 5AH - outside secure zone Sunday 14 September 13:00 – 14:00 Skilling up Cities: Is the UK up to the job? Chair: Dermot Finch, Director, Centre for Cities Speakers to include: Lord (Tom) McNally, Lib Dem Leader in the House of Lords; John Shipley, Leader, Newcastle City Council; Tony Douglas, Chief Operating Officer, Laing O’Rourke 18:15 – 19:15 An estate of mind: Does new housing have to mean soulless neighbourhoods? Speakers to include: Lembit Öpik MP, Shadow Housing Minister; Adrian Harvey, Head of Public Affairs, CABE; Stephen Stone, Chief Executive, Crest Nicholson; Joe Kerr, RCA 19.30 - 21.30 Urban Hub Launch reception: Cities, the UK’s future - invite only Venue: Hardy Suite, Hermitage Hotel Speakers to include: Julia Goldsworthy MP, Shadow Communities Secretary; John Shipley, Leader, Newcastle City Council; Steven Hassel, Development Executive, Westfield Monday 15 September 08:00 – 09:00 Hard Times: What will the changing economic climate mean for cities? Chair: Will Hutton, The Work Foundation. Speakers to include: Simon Hughes MP, Liberal Democrat shadow leader and Party President; Alexandra Jones, The Work Foundation 13:00 – 14:00 The Built Environment: Can the state design happiness? Speakers to include: Lembit Öpik MP, Shadow Housing Minister (invited); Richard Younger Ross MP, Shadow DCMS Minister; Sunand Prasad, President, RIBA; Catherine Fieschi, Senior Associate, DEMOS 18:15 – 19:15 Financing the future of cities: Who pays? Chair: Cllr John Shipley, Leader, Newcastle City Council Speakers to include: Jeremy Browne MP, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury; Dan Rogerson MP, Shadow Communities and Local Government spokesperson (invited) 19:30 – 20:30 Cities Question Time: flagship event on the political, economic, cultural and social issues facing cities. Chair: Jeremy Vine, Editor, Times Public Agenda. Speakers: Simon Hughes MP, Liberal Democrat shadow leader and Party President; Dan Rogerson MP, Shadow Communities and Local Government spokesperson; Carl Minns, Leader, Hull City Council; Steven Hassel, Westfield The Smith Institute at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference Date Fringe Speakers Time and Venue Sunday Who Gives..? The role of Susan Kramer MP, Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office; John Low, Chief Executive, Charities Aid 1300-1400 14th philanthropy in funding Foundation; John Humphreys, Presenter, The Today Programme [TBC]; David Barrie, Director, The Art Blandford Room, Sept civil society Fund; Susan Mackenzie, Director, Philanthropy UK Marriott Highcliff Hotel Sunday Students or Business: Who are Dr Evan Harris MP, Shadow Minister for Science; Pam Tatlow, Chief Executive, Million+; 1300-1400 14th universities for and who pays Professor Van Gore, Vice-Chancellor, Southampton Solent University; Old Harry’s Room, Sept in the knowledge economy? Polly Curtis, Education Editor, The Guardian; Wes Streeting, President, NUS Marriott Highcliff Hotel Sunday Paying for Social Care: Can Norman Lamb MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Health; Stephen Haddrill, Director General, 1830-1930 14th the private sector raise the Association of British Insurers; Gordon Lishman, Director General, Age Concern England; Bay View Lounge, Sept quality bar? Neil Churchill, Chief Executive, Asthma UK; David Brindle, Public Services Editor, The Guardian Royal Bath Hotel Monday From Cradle to Grave: Dr Vince Cable MP, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer; John Godfrey, Director of Corporate 0800-0900 15th Effective welfare for young Communications, Legal & General; Andrew Haldenby, Director, REFORM Bay View Lounge, Sept and old in the 21st century Royal Bath Hotel Monday Sport Matters: Are we fit Don Foster MP, Shadow Secretary of State, DCMS; Darren Campbell, Olympic Gold Medallist; 1300-1400 15th for 2012? Steve Grainger MBE, Chief Executive, Youth Sport Trust; Jennie Price, Chief Executive, Sport England; Blandford Syndicate 3, Sept John Steele, Chief Executive, UK Sport Marriott Highcliff Hotel Monday Dragons Den: Investing in Lorely Burt MP, Shadow Minister, BERR; Will Hutton, Chief Executive, The Work Foundation [TBC]; 1300-1400 15th enterprise and innovation Joop Tanis, Programme Manager, Health Launchpad, The Young Foundation; Jane Henderson, Chief Bay View Lounge, Sept Executive, South West of England Regional Development Agency Royal Bath Hotel Monday Private Equity: Hero or villain? Jeremy Browne MP, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury; Simon Walker, Chief Executive, BVCA; 1830-1930 15th Andrew Haldenby, Director, REFORM Blandford Syndicate 3, Sept Marriott Highcliff Hotel Monday Working for a Living: How Norman Lamb MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Health; Dr David Batman, Head of Occupational Health 1830-1930 15th healthy employees help and Safety and Chief Medical Officer, Nestlé UK; Professor Nick Bosanquet, Consultant Director, REFORM Old Harry’s Room, Sept the NHS Marriott Highcliff Hotel Fringe Guide Conference fringe Sunday 14th September Party training ALDE Group A range of free training events, for party members only, Curbing coal – burying CO2 Sunday will take place between 09.15 and 17.30 in the BIC and Tackling coal, the world’s single greatest source of CO2 Connaught Hotel. See Training Brochure for details. emissions. Speakers: Chris Davies MEP; Jeff Chapman, CE, CCS Association; Steve Webb MP; Andrew Stamp, PPC Morning fringe Gillingham and Rainham. 13.00 – 14.00 Liberal Democrat Christian Forum Bournemouth International Centre, Meyrick Suite Morning praise Prayer and praise before conference. Andrew Stunell MP Federal Conference Committee / Conference Access will be speaking as part of our theme ‘conscience in the life Group of David’ on David fleeing from his son. All welcome. Conference Access Forum 08.15 – 08.45 This is your chance to help improve disability access at Bournemouth International Centre, Westbourne Suite future conferences. Join in an informal discussion and tell us – what else can be done? Lunchtime fringe 13.00 – 14.00 Bournemouth International Centre, Westbourne Suite Liz Lynne MEP / ALDE Afraid to go to hospital? The Smith Institute / Charities Aid Foundation UK is amongst the worst EU countries for healthcare- The role of philanthropy acquired infections. Speakers: Prof. Rossolini, Health First Speakers: Susan Kramer MP, Shadow Minister for the Europe; Martin Kiernan, UK expert; Derek Butler, MRSA Cabinet Office; John Low, Chief Executive, Charities Aid Action UK. Chair: Liz Lynne MEP. Foundation; John Humphreys, Presenter, Today Programme 13.00 – 14.00 (tbc); David Barrie, Director, The Art Fund; Susan Mackenzie, Bournemouth International Centre, Bay View 1 Director, Philanthropy UK. 13.00 – 14.00 English Party and the Candidates’ Office Marriott Highcliff Hotel, Blandford Room New candidate approvals process launch Speakers: Nick Clegg MP; Professor Jo Silvester, City East of England Liberal Democrats University; Brian Orrell, Chair of the English Party. Chair: Sal Management Committee meeting Jarvis, Chair of the English Candidates’ Committee. Hosted 13.00 – 14.00 by the Candidates’ Office. Marriott Highcliff Hotel, Blandford-Syndicate 2 13.00 – 14.00 Bournemouth International Centre, Bay View 2 CentreForum and Fabian Society Labour and Lib Dems: allies or enemies? Liberal Democrats in the Lords Speakers: Dr. Vince Cable MP; Charles Clarke MP; David Holding the government to account Lammy MP; Stephen Williams MP. Chair: Michael White, The Meet Liberal Democrats in the Lords and have the chance Guardian. Refreshments. Partner: Fabian Society. to question them about taking on the Government on 42 13.00 – 14.00 days and other issues. Refreshments provided. Marriott Highcliff Hotel, Bryanston Suite 13.00 – 14.00 Bournemouth International Centre, Branksome Suite The Co-operative Group Responsible retailing: a contradiction in terms? Lib Dem Muslim Forum Is it retailers’ responsibility to care for local communities Sharia law within secular state? and how can this be achieved? Speakers include an MP, Speakers from faith and Parliament discuss the dilemma journalist, trade association and a consumer champion. for Liberals. Could our principle of ‘decision-making at the 13.00 – 14.00 lowest level’ allow agreement for Muslims to decide and Marriott Highcliff Hotel, Dorchester 1 live by sharia law? 13.00 – 14.00 Make Votes Count / Unlock Democracy / Electoral Bournemouth International Centre, Durley Suite Reform Society PR: why should we care? Making the popular case for reform: a discussion on Conference Service building grassroots activism. Speakers: Chris Huhne The Conference Service will take place at 18.30, MP; Amy Rodger, East Lothian PPC; Peter Facey, Unlock Sunday 14th September, after proceedings close in the Democracy; Steve Richards, The Independent; Brian Eno. Auditorium. At St. Andrew’s United Reformed Church, 13.00 – 14.00 Richmond Hill. See page 16 Marriott Highcliff, Dorchester 2 10 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2008 Conference fringe Sunday 14th September The Smith Institute / Reform / Million+ Reception for European parliamentary candidates and MEPs Who are universities for? By invitation only. Speakers: Dr Evan Harris MP, Shadow Minister for Science;