Liberal Democrat Conference 2014: Home Affairs

A Dods Monitoring Report

October 2014 Party Conferences 2014 Manchester | Birmingham | Glasgow

Contents

Introduction Speeches Fringe events Policy motions

www.dodspartyconference.co.uk Saturday 4 - Wednesday 8 October

Introduction

Produced by Ed Laws Political Consultant, Home Affairs

During a question and answer session, party leader Nick Clegg said drug addiction should be treated as a health problem rather than a criminal issue. Following this, the Liberal Democrats passed new party policy calling for a comprehensive review of the current government approach to drugs.

Liberal Democrat Justice Minister Simon Hughes attacked Conservative plans to scrap the Human Rights Act and renegotiate Britain relationship to the European Convention on Human Rights. Hughes accused the Conservatives of seeking to abandon the “single greatest advance” in the protection of human rights simply as a way of responding to the electoral threat posed by Ukip.

Hughes went on to announce plans to improve education provision for women in prisons, and said he wanted fewer women in custody.

Health Minister Norman Lamb used his speech to argue for a national liaison and diversion service to ensure that those with mental health problems who come into contact with the criminal justice system get referred for medical treatment.

A number of policy motions were passed which pertained to home affairs. Under plans passed by conference, ho- mophobic abuse at football matches would be classified and punished in the same way as racist abuse, and dele- gates also backed a raft of measures aimed at tackling child abuse and protecting whistleblowers.

www.dodsinformation.com Party Conferences 2014 Manchester | Birmingham | Glasgow

Speeches Please find below links to the relevant keynote speeches at this year’s Liberal Democrat Conference

Simon Hughes MP, Justice Minister | http://bit.ly/1pQotlV

Norman Lamb MP, Care and Support Minister | http://bit.ly/1qaNWpj

www.dodspartyconference.co.uk Saturday 4 - Wednesday 8 October

Fringe events Please find below a selection of sector specific fringe events summa- rised by the Dods Monitoring team

The policing fringe – putting the public first- The Police Federation During a fringe event sponsored by the Police Federation, a panel of representatives discussed with Crime Preven- tion Minister Norman Baker the need for reform of the current police structure and the importance of neighbour- hood policing. http://bit.ly/ZPTtfR

Is this the generation to end poverty? VSO and International Citizen Service International Citizen Service (ICS) volunteers and organisers discussed the importance of volunteering in the devel- oping world and the vibrancy of the younger generation alongside International Development Committee chair Sir Malcolm Bruce. http://bit.ly/1COXKOv

What next for the criminal justice system? (New Statesman in partnership with Prison Officers’ Association, Na- tional Association of Probation Officers and G4S) A heated discussion on Tuesday saw panellists debate whether the relatively low number of prison officers and the division of the Probation Service presented a growing crisis in Britain’s prisons | Read the Dods Monitoring report here: http://bit.ly/1vMjpEW

Policy Motions Please find below a selection of sector specific policy motions passed by conference.

F13: Doing What Works to Cut Crime This motion and the accompanying policy paper substantially update and develop policy in the fields of crime and criminal justice. In particular, they develop new policies on tackling the problems caused by drug abuse, increasing the accountability of the police, support for victims, rehabilitation of offenders and tackling the new threats of cyber-crime.

F18: Tackling Child Abuse Baroness Joan Walmsley and Baroness Sal Brinton said current rules did not go far enough and more needed to done to pro- tect victims and people wanting to report abuse.

F29: Reclaiming the People's Game This motion creates new policies to strengthen democracy, equality and representation within the governance of football, improve football administration and reform football finances.