Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference Agenda 2015 Auditorium Information
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Agenda Autumn Conference Bournemouth 19th–23rd September 2015 #LibDemFightback Finally, leaflets you don’t have to deliver Make sure to check the literature collection points located by the entrance / exits for up-to-date information each day. Pick up your Conference Daily as well as flyers, magazines and brochures to make sure you’re kept in the know. Distribution of literature must be booked. Day and weekly options available for leaflets. For more information please email: [email protected] Welcome to the Agenda for the Contents Liberal Democrat Autumn 2015 Federal Conference. Information: 3–9 If you have any questions whilst at Auditorium information 3 conference please ask a conference Conference timetable 2016 3 steward or go to the Information Desk in the main foyer of the BIC. Agenda: 10–68 Agenda index and timetable 10 Conference venue Saturday 19th September 13 Sunday 20th September 18 Bournemouth International Centre Monday 21st September 28 (BIC) Exeter Road Tuesday 22nd September 50 Bournemouth Wednesday 23rd September 63 BH2 5BH Standing orders 69–79 Conference hotel Federal Party 80 Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott For features, general conference St Michael’s Road information, exhibition and fringe, see West Cliff the separate Directory. Bournemouth BH2 5DU Further information, registration and all conference publications (including plain text and large print versions) are available at: Follow us on Twitter libdems.org.uk/ autumn_conference @libdemconf #LDconf ISBN 978-1-910763-09-4 Edited by Emma Price and published Printed by Park Communications Ltd, by The Conference Office, Liberal Alpine Way, London E6 6LA. Democrats, 8–10 Great George Street, Front cover photo by Chris Walts London SW1P 3AE. Photographs © Liberal Democrats unless Design and layout by Mike Cooper, stated. [email protected]. #LibDemFightback 1 The Federal Conference Committee Andrew Wiseman, Sandra Gidley, Geoff Payne, Jon Ball Gareth Epps Chair Vice Chair Vice Chair, English rep Joanne Foster, James Gurling, Jeremy Hargreaves, Linda Jack Kavya Kaushik. Welsh rep FE rep FPC rep FPC rep FE Rep Jenni Lang, Liz Lynne Chris Maines Justine Zoë O’Connell Scottish rep McGuinness Pauline Pearce Mary Reid Shas Sheehan Paul Tilsley Mike Ross, Chief Steward, co-opted Ex officio: Members of the FCC will be available to give Tom Brake MP, Chief Whip. advice at the Information Desk at the following times: Baroness Sal Brinton, Party President. Saturday 13.00–15.00 Tim Gordon, Chief Executive (non-voting). Sunday to 10.30–12.30 Tuesday You can also contact the FCC via the Information Desk outside of these hours. 2 Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference Agenda 2015 Auditorium information Information concerning the conduct of topical issues, emergency motions for the main conference sessions at this debate or the ballot and questions to Information year’s autumn federal conference is reports. listed on the following pages of this Agenda. Conference Extra will be available online from Wednesday 16th General conference information can be September at www.libdems.org.uk/ found in the conference Directory. The conference_papers and at conference formal rules are set out in standing on Saturday 19th September. orders on pages 69–79 of this Agenda. Conference Daily will include last- minute changes to the order of Conference Extra and Daily business, movers, amendments, emergency motions, etc. Collect your copy of Conference Daily from the Conference Extra shows any changes literature collection points at the start to the order and timings of the of each morning session. conference sessions that are shown in this agenda, amendments to motions, Conference timetable 2016 11th–13th March 2016, York Drafting advice deadline (motions) 13.00 Wednesday 30th December 2015 Motions deadline 13.00 Wednesday 13th January 2016 Drafting advice deadline 13.00 Tuesday 23rd February 2016 (amendments, emergency motions) Deadline for amendments to motions, 13.00 Tuesday 8th March 2016 emergency motions, topical issues, questions to reports 17th–21st September 2016, Brighton Drafting advice deadline (motions) 13.00 Wednesday 15th June 2016 Motions deadline 13.00 Wednesday 29th June 2016 Drafting advice deadline 13.00 Monday 22nd August 2016 (amendments, emergency motions) Deadline for amendments to motions, 13.00 Monday 5th September 2016 emergency motions, topical issues, questions to reports #LibDemFightback 3 Information DISCO back by popular demand and funkier than ever before Come strut your stuff, and get on down with Special Guest Lib Dem DJ�s. see you under the mirror ball 4 Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference Agenda 2015 Auditorium information Venue of time to access the stage. l An induction loop system, which Information All auditorium sessions take place in can be linked to hearing aids; the BIC – see conference venue plan please ask a member of the and map in the Directory. stewarding team to direct you to the appropriate seating block. Access to the BIC is possible only with l Sign language interpretation during a valid, conference pass worn with the all auditorium sessions; a number of official lanyard. You will be asked to seats are reserved at the front of show your pass when you enter the the auditorium. please ask a secure area and you are required to member of the stewarding team to wear the pass visibly at all times within direct you. the area. If you need assistance at the venue, Do allow time for security check please contact the Information desk queues during key times – particularly where our dedicated steward will be after lunch and ahead of popular on hand to help. If you need events. assistance or information in advance, please contact the Conference Team Be aware that flash photography is on [email protected] or frequently used in the auditorium. 020 7227 1322. Please ensure that all mobile phones are on silent before entering the auditorium. Disabled facilities l Space for wheelchair users on the ground floor of the auditorium. l Wheelchair lift access to the stage; the chair of the session will ensure wheelchair users are called in plenty What’s your top conference tip? #ldconf @libdemconf #LibDemFightback 5 Information Debates and votes at conference Debates on policy and business Interventions: are concise (one motions are at the heart of federal minute) speeches made from the conference. It is through them that intervention microphone(s) on the floor the party sets its policy and future of the auditorium, during debates direction. Unlike the conferences of where it is indicated in the Agenda. the other parties, Liberal Democrat Amendments: all motions except conference is sovereign, and what emergency motions are open to it decides really matters. amendment; amendments accepted The structure of debate on policy will be printed in Conference Daily. and business motions: Voting: decisions on most motions and on all amendments and separate Proposer of the motion speaks votes are by simple majority of those V voting (two-thirds majority for Proposers of any amendments constitutional amendments). To vote, speak in turn representatives must be seated on the ground floor of the auditorium and V show their voting badge. Speakers called on all sides of the debate with the chair Separate votes: a vote on whether to seeking to ensure balance delete or retain the specified words or section. A request for a separate vote V may be submitted by any voting Interventions taken (if listed on representative: by the start of the first the agenda) conference session on the day before V the debate is scheduled, or by the Summators of amendments deadline for emergency motions for speak in turn debates scheduled for the first day of conference; using the online form at V libdems.org.uk/conference_papers, The summator of the motion by email to separate.votes@libdems. speaks org.uk, or in writing to the Speakers’ Table in the auditorium. V The chair takes votes for and Counted vote: the chair of the against the amendments and session may decide that a vote needs separate votes (if any) in turn to be counted. Any voting representative may request a count V from the floor; if fifty voting A vote will be taken on the representatives stand and show their motion as a whole voting cards, a count will be taken. 6 Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference Agenda 2015 Speaking in conference debates Length of speeches Speakers’ Table at the front of the Information auditorium, an auditorium steward or The length of speeches is shown the Information Desk. against each motion in the Agenda. Interventions are limited to one minute each. Completing a speaker’s card There are three lights on the When completing a speaker’s card, speaker’s rostrum and visible either remember: side of the stage. The green light is 1 Submit your card well in advance. switched on at the beginning of the The chair and aide team for the speech. The amber light is switched debate will meet well in advance to on 60 seconds before the end of the plan the debate – sometimes the allowed time (20 seconds before the previous day. end of an intervention). The red light is switched on when all the time is 2 Fill in your card completely. used up, and the speaker must stop Complete the two sections on the immediately. back of the card as well as the front. These sections are needed for the chair and aide to balance the debate, Eligibility to speak so they can call people with relevant The only people entitled to speak in experience and avoid a string of debates and interventions at people making the same point. conference are: 3 Make sure it’s readable! l Voting representatives (or Don’t fill every square centimetre of substitutes), elected by their local the card; don’t write illegibly, in very parties or appointed ex-officio, small letters, or in green ink … The who have paid their full registration easier you make it for the chair and fee.