LIBERAL REFORM Spring Conference Briefing 2021

Liberal Reform exists within the Liberal We support this form of by: Democrats to promote personal liberty and a fair society supported by free, open and 1. Developing and promoting it to Liberal competitive markets as the foundation of the Democrat members; party’s policy. 2. Reaching out to its wider support base to We advocate a liberalism that draws upon attract them to the Liberal Democrats and the values of entrepreneurship, competition Liberal Reform; and and innovation to deliver a society that empowers individuals through freedom and 3. Working to make it central to Liberal opportunity. Our vision of freedom is all Democrat policy. encompassing, covering personal, political, economic and social liberties. As such, we seek to put the rights of individuals first, but recognise the importance of challenging concentrations of power where they develop, both within and beyond the state.

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The Housing Crisis: What Join MP, Anna Sabine (Meeting Place Communications), More Can thePeter Taylor (Lib Dem Mayor of Watford) and Aria Babu (London YIMBY) to find out how the Lib Dems can lead the charge to end the Lib Dems Do? housing crisis. Fringe Event: Sunday 21st March, 13:00-14:15 Conference Briefing:

increased choice and poorly supported by the While online Conferences have competition, is a key aspect of Conservatives for long before that. been successful and improved Liberal Reform’s policy vision. It is They deserve a pay increase. accessibility, we nonetheless therefore disappointing that this look forward to future motion is rather weak; but we at F21B Full Reopening of Schools Conferences which will allow us least welcome that there are no to meet up with our fellow overt calls to follow the Labour Ensuring children’s education is not liberals face-to-face again, Party down the doomed road to hopefully in a hybrid format. further damaged by the nationalisation. pandemic must be a top priority, and this motion makes it so. Once things get back closer to F13 Standing Up for Unpaid Carers normal, we hope the return of F21C Protecting the Right to Protest the face-to-face element, and has done well to the frank exchange of views champion the cause for our that allows, will mean A very worthy motion, only unsung heroes and has dedicated highlighted by the events of the Conference motions with more a lot of campaign time to this, and bite than many of the well- past week; we urge everyone to we look forward to seeing how it wholeheartedly support. meaning but ultimately fits into an overall election-winning uncontroversial motions on offer narrative. this weekend. F22 Autism Support F14 The COVID-19 Pandemic Liberal Reform supports this FRIDAY motion, the key to providing Restricting people’s freedoms with people with appropriate support is F4 Supporting Business, Workers lockdowns is something no liberal lifting barriers and making a and the Self-Employed during the should feel comfortable with, but diagnosis in the first place. COVID-19 Pandemic: we recognise that although uncomfortable, it has at times over the past year been necessary. We F23 International Development Liberal Reform has consistently welcome the objection to vaccine supported providing extra help to passports in this motion, which risk The commitment to spending 0.7% those who have been excluded a severe limit on people’s freedom of GNI on overseas development from government assistance and for no fault other than being too was a key Coalition victory and it is urges members to support this young to have been offered a only right that the Lib Dems motion together with the two vaccine. continue to champion it. amendments. Liberal Reform members Oliver Jones -Lyons & F17 The EU-UK Trade and F25 A Better Response to the Fraser Coppin (Co-Chair) have Impact of COVID-19 on Education submitted Amendment One, Cooperation Agreement and the which proposes to Freeze Future of the UK-EU Relationship Corporation Tax at 19% in order to Liberal Reform think there is a lot of support our SMEs and promote This motion is right to highlight the sensible material in this motion. public and private investment. damage to free trade and foreign While we think it is good for Now is not the right time for tax investment that the Government’s National Citizen Service money to rises and austerity measures that Brexit deal has done. It is also right move to local authorities, we are will only stifle our recovery. Please to re-iterate that the path to puzzled as to why this is just for vote for the amendment. rejoining the EU is a long one that 2020 & 2021 - we don’t see why the Party should not seek to rush. this shouldn’t be made permanent. F6 Lifting Barriers to Work for Rejoining the single market in Disabled People particular would be a positive first step. F26 Accessibility in Education Liberal Reform supports this motion and makes particular note of our F18 Acting on the Russia Report A good education system is at the commitment to flexible working as heart of a liberal society. It is vital a day one right. Freeing people An overall worthy motion but, 5 that everyone has equal access to from the 9-5 working day to years on, the Party must not be it. something that better suits their seen to be continually looking needs is an ambition any liberal back on the 2016 EU Referendum F27 Safe and Legal Routes to Save should champion. result. Lives

SATURDAY SUNDAY The Conservatives’ lack of compassion shown towards those F11 Giving Consumers a Fairer F21A A Pay Rise for NHS Staff fleeing persecution is galling, and Deal the Party is right to call it out in the NHS staff have contributed so strongest of terms. Achieving greater benefit for much to our country over the past consumers, especially through year, and in truth they have been T:@liberal_reformF: facebook.com/liberalreform W:liberalreform.org.uk E:[email protected]