sign in sign up
<<
Home , Caroline Voaden, Catherine Bearder, Crossing the floor, Dinesh Dhamija, Jo Swinson, Liberal Reform

Conference Extra Autumn Conference Bournemouth 14–17 September 2019

Updates to the Agenda and Directory, information from the Federal Conference Committee (FCC), amendments, emergency motions and questions to reports. Please read in conjunction with the Agenda and Directory. Please keep Conference Extra with you throughout conference and get hold of a copy of Conference Daily each day – they will be vital Contents to your understanding of the day’s business – available at: Directory Extra: www.libdems.org.uk/conference_papers Information update 5 and via the Conference App. Exhibition update 6 Limited hard copies of Conference Daily will be Fringe update 8 available – enquire at the Information Desk. Agenda Extra: Conference Extra and other Saturday 14 September 11 conference publications, Sunday 15 September 16 in PDF and plain text formats, are available online at Monday 16 September 21 www.libdems.org.uk/conference_papers Tuesday 17 September 24

Published by the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrats, Emergency motions ballot 24 8–10 George Street, , SW1P 3AE. Map of Bournemouth 30 Design and layout by Mike Cooper, [email protected]. Liberal Democrats DEMAND BETTER The Federal Conference Committee

Geoff Payne, Jon Ball, Cara Jenkinson, Nicholas Da MP Duncan Brack Baroness Sally Burnell Chair Vice Chair Vice Chair Costa, Vice Chair

Alisdair Calder Victor James Gurling Jenni Lang Liz Lynne Chris Maines Simon McGrath Joe Otten McGregor Chamberlain

Conference Rally No conference experience is complete without joining Lib Dems from across the country at the Mary Reid Paul Tilsley Heidi Worth Mike Ross, Conference Rally! Chief Steward, co-opted With a host of speakers, from by-election winning Non-Voting: FCC helpdesk candidate to new leader MP , Members of the FCC will be available at the and a number of special guests across an evening Federal Chief Information Desk at the following times: Executive of fun and entertainment. Amy Westcott, Saturday 14 Sept. 13.00–15.00 Bournemouth International Centre, Auditorium Staff Rep Sunday 15 Sept. 10.30–12.30 Monday 16 Sept. 10.30–12.30 Saturday 14 September, 18.15–19.30 Tuesday 17 Sept. 10.30–12.30

The Federal Policy Committee

Alisdair Calder Jo Swinson MP, Duncan Brack, Jeremy Sarah Ludford, Belinda Baroness Sally Burnell McGregor Chair Vice Chair Hargreaves, Vice Chair Brooks-Gordon Sal Brinton Vice Chair

Christine Cheng Richard Cole Alec Dauncey Tony Greaves Antony Hook Kamran Elizabeth MP MEP Hussein Jewkes

Susan Juned Heather Kidd Mariam Lucy Nethsingha Peter Price Catherine Rachelle Baroness Julie Mahmood MEP Royce Shepherd-DuBey Smith Non-Voting: Richard Kemp, LGA Rep Spring Conference 2020 Geoff Payne, FCC Chair 2020 Spring conference will take place Tara Copeland, YL Rep on 13–15 March in York. Dr Mohsin Khan, LDCRE Rep Book your accommodation at Paul Tilsley David Weston Chris White visityork.org/lbdems

Conference Extra, Autumn 2019 DEMAND BETTER THAN 2 The Federal Board

Baroness Sal Neil Fawcett, Dinesh Dhamija, Joyce Onstad, Jo Swinson MP, Tahir Maher, Sheila Ritchie, Cadan ap Brinton, Chair, Vice Chair Vice Chair Vice Chair Party Leader Chair of the Scottish Party Tomos, Chair of Party President English Party Convenor the Welsh NEC

Christine Lord Catherine Chris White, Simon Geoff Payne, Jeremy Robert Jardine MP, Strasburger, Bearder MEP, Principal Local McGrath, FCC Chair Hargreaves, Woodthorpe MP Rep Peer Rep MEP Rep Authority English Party FPC Vice-Chair Browne, Councillor Rep FIRC Chair

James Gurling, Tony Harris, Miranda Helena Cole Callum James Elaine Bagshaw Joshua Dixon Alex FCEC Chair FFRC Chair Roberts, FASC Chair Littlemore, Hegenbarth FPDC Chair YLs Co-Chair

Kevin Lang Hilton Marlton David McCobb Caron Lindsay Gordon Victoria Isabelle Lishman Marsom Parasam

Non-Voting: Federal Board helpdesk Terry Stacy, LGA Rep Members of the Federal Board will be MP, at the Federal Board helpdesk, near the Chief (Commons) Information Desk, at the following times: Mike German, Federal Saturday 14 Sept. 14.00–16.00 Treasurer Sunday 15 Sept. 10.30–12.30 Pauline Pearce Candy Piercy Alice Thomas Gerald Vernon- and 14.00–16.00 Jackson Nick Harvey, Federal Monday 16 Sept. 10.30–12.30 Chief Executive and 14.00–16.00 Will Dyer, Staff Rep Tuesday 17 Sept. 10.30–12.30 Conference App Download our Conference App for Autumn Conference. With great features such as My Schedule (the easiest way to plan your conference), a searchable Fringe Guide and Agenda, and Conference Extra and Conference Daily as they are published.

To download the App visit App Store or Google Play

For Blackberry / Windows Phone visit www.libdemconference.org.uk

Conference Extra, Autumn 2019 DEMAND BETTER FOR THE NHS 3 BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE

Thakeham is a place maker and strategic land partner, delivering quality new homes for private purchase and in partnership with housing associations and local authorities.

As place makers first and foremost, we prioritise the needs of the communities that each new infrastructure-led development is shaping.

It’s the Thakeham difference.

www.thakeham.com

Come and see us on stand PS1

FIND US HERE

Conference Extra, Autumn 2019 DEMAND BETTER FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT 4 Information update

Accessibility Livestream of Conference Mobility minibus shuttle Livestream from the Auditorium will be run from our YouTube account, while high profile There will be a complimentary minibus between speeches will also be on Facebook Live. the Highcliff Marriott and BIC. It will include space for three wheelchairs and priority will www..com/libdems be given for those who are less able. It will run Facebook.com/libdems continually between the two locations at the following times: Map of Bournemouth Saturday 14 September: The map of Bournemouth in the printed 08.15–10.15, 12.45–14.45 and 19.45–21.45. Directory had transposed the locations of the Sunday 15 September: Hermitage and Hilton Hotels - their correct 08.15–09.45, 12.30–14.30 and 18.00–19.30. locations can be seen on the map on page 30. Monday 16 September: 08.30–09.30, 10.45–14.15 and 18.00–19.30. Q&A sessions Tuesday 17 September: 08.30–09.30 and 15.30–16.30. There will be a series of Q&A sessions at Autumn conference where you can come along and ask questions of our spokespeople. Bournemouth Foodbank There will be Foodbank collection bins in the With Wera Hobhouse MP, Sir MP Main Foyer and in the exhibition area in the & MEP. Solent Hall in the BIC. Please look out for Saturday 14 September, 15.00–16.00 the yellow bins provided by Bournemouth BIC, Bayview 2 Foodbank. See Bournemouth Foodbank advert on page 10 for more details. Economy and Business With Sir Ed Davey MP, Lord Chris Fox & Baroness Susan Kramer. Conference App Saturday 14 September, 16.30–17.30 The Conference App is available now, with BIC, Bayview 2 great features such as My Schedule (the easiest Brexit way to plan your conference) and a searchable With Tom Brake MP, MEP & Fringe Guide and Agenda. Visit the App Store or Lord Dick Newby. Google Play, or for Blackberry / Windows Phone Sunday 15 September, 16.30–17.30 visit www.libdemconference.org.uk. BIC, Meyrick Home Affairs Internet access With MP & Lord Brian Paddick. Free wifi is available in the BIC and Highcliff Monday 16 September, 14.30–15.30 Marriott. BIC, Meyrick BIC Health Network name: _LibDems2019 With Sir MP & Baroness Judith Jolly no password required Monday 16 September, 15.30–16.15 BIC, Meyrick Highcliff Marriot Username: Marriott_Meetings Password (case sensitive): MARRIOTTMEETINGS2019

Conference Extra, Autumn 2019 DEMAND BETTER FOR SCHOOLS 5 Exhibition update Exhibition plan Solent Hall, Ground Floor of BIC

44 43 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 46 51 45 42 32 31 30 CZ1 CZ2 CZ3 CZ4 47 52

48 53 28 29 CZ F 10 CAMPAIGN ZONE CZ 49 27 26 9 14 13 50 22& 24 25 CZ8 CZ7 12 23 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 11

10 3 4 5 6 7 ➔ to Branksome, 1 Durley, Solent 8 9 Meyrick and Lounge Westbourne

Solent Bar

to Main ➔ ➔ Foyer ➔ Catering Auditorium

Key Exhibition Coffee Shop F Foodbank stand (Not to scale) Seating area Exhibitors listed by 12 Social Democrat Group stand number 13 RemainerNow 14 E.A.R.S. Campaign Software 1 Thakeham Group 15 Humanist & Secularist Liberal Democrats 3 Berber Leather 16 ALDE Party 4 Liberal Democrat Friends of 17 5 Heathrow West Limited 18 Parliamentary Candidates Association 6 Lib Dems Connect Support Team 19 Business Events Bournemouth 7 NationBuilder 20 Midlands Engine 8 Her Majesty’s Government of 21 Guardian News & Media 9 The National Education Union 22&23 ALDC – Liberal Democrat Campaigners & 10 Liberal Democrat Disability Association Councillors and LGA Liberal Democrats 11 Liberal Democrats European Parliamentary Party 24&27 LDCRE

Conference Extra, Autumn 2019 DEMAND BETTER FOR COMMUNITIES 6 Exhibitors listed by stand number continued

25 Co-operative Councils’ Innovation Network 46 Liberal Democrats in Business 26 Liberal Democrat Friends of Palestine 47 Liberal Democrat European Group 28 Prospect Magazine 48 Association of Liberal Democrat Engineers and 29 Liberal Democrat Women Scientists 30 Green Liberal Democrats 49 Rights Liberties Justice (Liberal Democrat 31 LGBT+ Liberal Democrats Lawyers) 32 Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform 50 33 Liberal Democrat Christian Forum 51 The Legacy Fund 34 52 Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) 35 Liberator Magazine 53 Liberal Democrats Muslim Forum 36 ALTER CZ1 Print & Digital Associates Ltd– “The Tabloid 37 Association of Lib Dem Trade Unionists Newspaper Specialists” 38 Volunteering with the Liberal Democrats CZ2 Keep Britain Tidy 39 CZ3 WASPI - Women Against State Pension Inequality 40 Liberal Democrat History Group CZ4 Election Workshop 42 Liberal Democrat Education Association CZ7 Liberal Democrat Image 43 Liberal Democrats 4 Seekers of Sanctuary CZ8 RISO UK Ltd / Midshire Business Systems 44 Young Liberals CZ9 Prater Raines Ltd 45 CZ10 Park Communications Directory of exhibitors The following exhibitors are additional to those listed in the Conference Directory. Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel We exist to support and promote policies which lead to peace and security for Israel in the context Business Events Bournemouth of a comprehensive and lasting Middle East peace BusinessEventsBournemouth is an established settlement. Partnership created to provide a one-stop ldfi.org.uk 4 shop facility for and delivering larger conferences in Bournemouth including an official secure online accommodation reservation facility. At Liberal Democrats European your service! Parliamentary Party www.bebres.org.uk 19 Come and visit our stand to meet our Members of the and learn about how we represent your voice in Europe. Follow us on and Facebook to stay up to date @LibDemMEPs. Keep Britain Tidy 11 Keep Britain Tidy is an independent charity with three goals, to eliminate litter, end waste and improve Monday and Tuesday only: places. We ensure clean public spaces by creating sustainable practices eradicating unnecessary waste. NationBuilder www.keepbritaintidy.org CZ2 NationBuilder has been a partner of the Lib Dems for over 6 years and empowers you to manage your website content, email communications, and people management all in one place. Lib Dems Connect Support Team www.nationbuilder.com 7 To help run your elections better – come and learn about Connect, a Data and Campaign Website. Get answers to technical questions, Ask the Expert and WASPI Women Against State learn more about Connect. Pension Inequality connect.libdems.org.uk 6WASPI is a campaigning group representing many of the 3.8 million women born in the 1950s who have been adversely impacted by inadequate notification of increases in their State Pension Age. www.waspi.co.uk CZ3

Conference Extra, Autumn 2019 DEMAND BETTER THE ECONOMY 7 Fringe update

Saturday lunchtime 13.00–14.30 Saturday mid evening 20.15–21.30 cont. interested in the built environment to network Update to listing in the Directory – amended title: and discuss the most important issues facing our Prospect Magazine industry in 2019. Key note speaker: Rt Hon Sir Brexit, the crisis of liberal democracy and the Edward Davey MP. Kindly Sponsored by the Built opportunity for the Lib Dems Environment Communications Group. Places strictly A discussion chaired by Tom Clark of Prospect limited (entry on first-come basis). magazine. Highcliff Marriott, Blandford BIC, Bayview 1 Addition to the listings in the Directory: Addition to the listings in the Directory: Parliamentary Candidates Association The Counter Extremism Project and Rights, PCA and LibDems Friends of Pakistan reception, Liberties, Justice Autumn Conference 2019 Big Tech and Extremism: Can we balance Please Join PCA and Lib Dems Friends of Pakistan with countering extremist content? reception with our guest speaker Pakistan High The Christchurch attacks led the government Commissioner The Honourable Mr Nafees Zakaria, to propose an Online Harms Bill to make tech in this new era of positive change. companies remove terrorist and extremist content. Highcliff Marriott, Shaftesbury But how can we balance free speech and privacy with the need to tackle extremism online? BIC, Durley Saturday late evening 22.00–01.00

Event moved to Saturday mid evening: Planning Futures and BECG Saturday mid evening 20.15–21.30 The planning and housing reception Addition to the listings in the Directory: Pearson Sunday morning 08.00–09.00 A long term vision for apprenticeships – a conversation and drinks reception Addition to the listings in the Directory: Apprenticeships are key to a skills system Sources of Inspiration that supports UK competitiveness. In this ‘In Quiet Reflection conversation’ event policy makers explore the work Using meditation, a reading, quiet reflection and of Apprenticeship Policy Group, group discussion to explore aspects of Buddhism. commissioned by Pearson, and how to ensure Facilitator Jane Reed. apprenticeships meet the needs of UKPLC. Highcliff Marriott, Blandford BIC, Bayview 1

Sunday early evening 18.15–19.15 Addition to the listings in the Directory: Addition to the listings in the Directory: ALDE Rally Liberal Democrats European Parliamentary Party At a time when LibDems are the only anti- MEP Speed Dating Brexit Party, our EU Liberal colleagues at ALDE show Come and meet our MEPs! Whether you want to support by hosting an event at Conference. Theme: share your big policy idea, introduce yourself, or just “Perspectives from the heart of Europe: ALDE’s vision take a selfie for Instagram, you will get 2 minutes for the future – Where to next?”. UK and EU MEPs face-to-face with an MEP! speaking. BIC, Bayview 2 Note: this event starts at 19:45 BIC, Tregonwell Hall Addition to the listings in the Directory: Liberal Democratic Movement of Cyprus Update to listing in the Directory – change of time Cyprus’s union prevented by Erdogan’s imperialistic from Saturday late evening and change of venue: policies and free Kurdish opposition leader Planning Futures and BECG Turkish aggression threatens the peace in the The planning and housing reception Middle East and Cyprus. We condemn the supply of This reception will bring together key stakeholders weapons by Russians. Erdogan must free the leader from across the planning and development sectors of the opposition and all political prisoners. with elected members of the Liberal Democrat Highcliff Marriott, Blandford 3 Party. This event is an opportunity for all who are

Conference Extra, Autumn 2019 DEMAND BETTER THAN BREXIT 8 Fringe update

Sunday early evening 18.15–19.15 cont. Monday lunchtime 13.00–14.00

Update to listing in the Directory – amended details: Update to listing in the Directory – updated panel: Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) with the Shelter Institute for Government (IfG) What role can the Liberal Democrats play in At a tipping point? How can technology help deliver increasing social housing? access to justice? Chair: Caron Lindsay (Lib Dem Voice). Panel: Polly Hot food buffet available. Chaired by Gavin Neate (Shelter); Baroness Olly Grender (House of Freeguard (Institute for Government). Confirmed Lords); Lord John Shipley (); Jonn speakers include: Rt Hon (Board Elledge (). Member SRA); Baroness Susan Kramer (Lords BIC, Avon Business Spokesperson); Anthony Hook MEP (European Parliament Justice Committee Addition to the listings in the Directory: member); and James Moore (F-LEX Co-founder). Liberal Democrat Christian Forum Highcliff Marriott, LDCF AGM Shaftesbury Members of the LDCF are invited to join the Executive for our Annual General Meeting. This Addition to the listings in the Directory: meeting will include elections for the new LDCF Social Market Foundation (SMF) and BP Executive Committee. Achieving net zero: the role of energy companies in Highcliff Marriott, Yeovil reducing emissions Join the SMF, BP and a panel of experts to discuss how the UK can reach net zero emissions by Monday early evening 18.15–19.15 2050. Panellists: Jane Dodds MP; Dr Marie Claire Brisbois, University of Sussex; James Kirkup, SMF; Addition to the listings in the Directory: representative, BP. Liberal Democrats European Parliamentary Party Note: this event ends at 19.30 What does Brexit mean across the generations? Rule and Centrefold Room, Hilton Hotel, How do we bridge the generational divide when it Terrace Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5EL comes to our campaign to Stop Brexit? Our panellists will discuss how we can involve everyone in the debate and work together despite our differences. Monday morning 08.00–09.00 BIC, Bayview 2

Addition to the listings in the Directory: Tes Addition to the listings in the Directory: Can radical education reform win an election? ScottishPower Reception Join Tes at a breakfast roundtable to discuss the Climate change and the Race to Net Zero future of education. What education reforms will As the race to decarbonise gathers pace, please join parents, teachers and students be looking for in Jo Swinson MP, Ed Davey MP and events sponsors party manifestos? Can radical solutions transform ScottishPower for a reception focussed on what the education system, making it fit for the future? politicians, business and communities can do to Highcliff Marriott, meet the opportunities and challenges ahead. Shaftesbury Highcliff Marriott, Dorchester South Monday early lunchtime 11.30–12.30 Tuesday morning 08.00–09.00 Addition to the listings in the Directory: Liberal Democrat Women Addition to the listings in the Directory: Liberal Democrat Women AGM Sources of Inspiration Come and hear our Executive report back on the Quiet Reflection activities of the past year and join us as we discuss Using meditation, a reading, quiet reflection and our plans for 2020 and beyond. Members only. group discussion to explore aspects of Quakerism. Highcliff Marriott, Yeovil Facilitator Jane Reed. Highcliff Marriott, Blandford

Conference Extra, Autumn 2019 DEMAND BETTER FOR THE NHS 9 Please support Bournemouth FoodBank AT THIS YEAR’S Conference three-day emergency food supplies 6012 given to those in crisis in the past year

 MILK: UHT/Powdered  FRUIT JUICE: Long Life  TINNED DESSERT: Custard or Rice Pudding  TINNED: MEAT, FISH, VEGETABLES, FRUIT  SAUCE FOR PASTA  SAUCE FOR RICE  RICE  SOUP  SWEET or SAVOURY SNACKS  TEA BAGS  INSTANT COFFEE  BISCUITS PLEASE DONATE Look out for the yellow bournemouth.foodbank.org.uk bins! This foodbank is run in partnership with local churches, facilitated by Bournemouth Foodbank. Registered Charity Number 1143446 Seeded by The Trussell Trust

becg Experts in the built environment

The built environment is the foundation for our daily lives and should deliver social value to local communities. At BECG we champion better understanding and acceptance of built environment projects, and the value that comes from investment in the sector, by providing our private and public sector clients with expert counsel and award- winning communications services.

Planning communications Public relations + marketing

Corporate communications + Government relations

becg.com

Conference Extra, Autumn 2019 DEMAND BETTER FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT 10 Agenda index and timetable

Tuesday 10.30–10.50 F35 Speech: , Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats

Saturday 14 September

F1 Opening of Conference by Cllr Vikki Slade, Leader of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council

F2 Federal Conference Committee Report

Q1. Submitted by Malcolm Mitchell

Why has the Autumn 2020 Conference scheduled to be a fortnight later than usual?

Q2. Submitted by Jacqueline Bell

It is recognised that volunteers are used. However, hard copy agendas have been very late to arrive, impacting on opportunity to submit amendments. Can this be improved?

F3 Federal Policy Committee Report

Q1. Submitted by Suzanne Fletcher

Could the policy committee, as well as having liaison representation for the regions (although noted that there is no known rep for 3 regions) and SAOs, also have someone with the responsibility of liaising with AOs, or at least informing them, of any relevant policy development work.

F4 Continuing the Fight for Gender Equality

The FCC has agreed to make the following drafting amendment to the motion:

1 In 6. (line 75), after ‘parliamentarians’ insert ‘and councillors’.

F7 Business Tax Reform: Fair for Business and Fair for Society

The FCC has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion:

1 In 3. (line 68), after ‘jurisdictions’ insert ‘, and should be required to publish beneficial 2 ownership, country-by-country reporting, and a clear tax policy with a commitment not to use 3 tax havens’.

4 After 6. (line 85), add:

5 7. A system which minimises disruptive effects on developing countries, to be established 6 by a spillover analysis of the system, and in particular the UK’s tax treaties.

7 Conference also calls for the investment of significant extra resources into HMRC to ensure 8 that the tax system is fairly applied and administered.

Conference Extra, Autumn 2019 DEMAND BETTER FOR THE NHS 11 Saturday 14 September

Amendment One

13 members Mover: Nick Eden-Green. Summation: Neasa MacErlean.

1 After line 36, insert:

2 Conference further resolves that HM Revenue & Customs should continue offering help to 3 developing countries through its Tax Capacity Building Unit when the current programme 4 ends in 2023.

Amendment Two

14 members Mover: Oliver Craven. Summation: James Baillie.

1 Delete lines 37–45 and insert:

2 Conference believes that ideologically driven Conservative attempts to slash corporation tax 3 are an unjustified tax giveaway, and that British corporate tax rates should be brought better 4 into line with our European neighbours and regularly reviewed according to what makes 5 sense for the economy.

Amendment Three

South Cambridgeshire Mover: Paul Browne. Summation: Mark Lunn.

1 After line 45 insert:

2 Conference notes with concern Conservative plans to establish up to ten new so-called free 3 ports in the UK, creating tax-havens that increase unfairness in the tax system and undermine 4 public finances, and which were also identified as potentially vulnerable to counterfeiting, VAT 5 fraud and money laundering in a European Commission report published on 24 July 2019.

F9 Equal Marriage

The FCC has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion:

1 In iv) (line 6), delete ‘removed’ and insert ‘consistently attempted to remove’.

2 After vii) (line 31), insert:

3 viii) In July 2019 Parliament voted to legalise same-sex marriage in by 13 4 January 2020 if, by 21 October 2019, a government in Northern Ireland has not been 5 restored.

Conference Extra, Autumn 2019 DEMAND BETTER FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT 12 Saturday 14 September

6 After 1. (line 51), insert:

7 2. The UK government to implement regulations to provide for same-sex marriage in 8 Northern Ireland by 13 January 2020, if the Northern Ireland Executive has not been 9 restored by 21 October 2019.

Amendment One

South Cambridgeshire and 60 members Mover: Toby Keynes. Summation: Dr Julian Huppert.

1 After ix) (line 41), insert:

2 x) Humanist marriages are not legally recognised in England and , but have been 3 recognised in since 2005 and Northern Ireland since 2018, and have already 4 become the second most popular type of marriage in Scotland.

5 After b) (line 47), insert:

6 c) Extend legal recognition of humanist marriages across the UK.

7 After 2. (line 54), insert:

8 3. The UK Government to make an order under section 14(4) of the Marriage (Same Sex 9 Couples) Act 2013 at the earliest opportunity, to allow humanists to conduct legally 10 recognised marriages in England and Wales.

Amendment Two

26 members Mover: Cllr Tim Pickstone. Summation: Ed Fordham.

1 After ix) (line 41), insert:

2 x) Obstacles also exist to equal marriage by the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 3 giving all faith organisations exemption from equalities legislation so that faith 4 organisations have to ‘opt-in’ to perform same-sex marriages, and specific clauses 5 preventing the Church of England and Church of Wales from opting-in to performing 6 same-sex marriages.

7 Conference welcomes the many churches and other faith organisations who have chosen to 8 support same-sex marriages, and welcomes the significant progress that is being made by 9 many including the Methodist Conference in Britain and by many in the Church of England.

10 After b) (line 47), insert:

11 c) LGBT+ people of all faiths and none to be treated equally regardless of their religion, faith 12 or none.

Conference Extra, Autumn 2019 DEMAND BETTER FOR SCHOOLS 13 Saturday 14 September

13 After 4. (line 60), add:

14 5. The UK government to legislate to enable the Church of England and Church in Wales and 15 their celebrants to conduct same-sex marriages.

Amendment Three

14 members Mover: Dr Julian Huppert. Summation: Sarah Brown.

1 After ix) (line 41), insert:

2 x) Prior to same-sex marriage legalisation, those acquiring a Gender Recognition Certificate 3 for legal gender protections had to annul their marriage (England and Wales) or divorce 4 (Scotland) to prevent same-sex marriages, which were previously incompatible with the 5 law.

6 After 4. (line 60), add:

7 5. The retrospective restoration of marriages, on request, that were annulled or divorced 8 solely due to the Gender Recognition process, where there is a continuing relationship.

F10 A Fairer Share for All

The FCC has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion:

1 In i) (line 54), after ‘invest’ insert ‘at least’.

2 In 1. c) (line 72), delete ‘Introduce a system of incentives, rather than ineffective sanctions,’ 3 and insert ‘Abolish the benefits sanctions system entirely and introduce a systems of 4 incentives’.

5 After 1. g) (line 88), insert:

6 h) Ensure that claimants do not have to access the benefit system digitally.

Amendment One

12 members Mover: Paul Hindley. Summation: to be announced.

1 After 2. d) (line 104), insert:

2 e) Ensure central government grants to local government increase in real terms every 3 year.

Conference Extra, Autumn 2019 DEMAND BETTER FOR COMMUNITIES 14 Saturday 14 September

Amendment Two

North West, North East and & the Humber Mover: Philip Knowles. Summation: Andrew Haldane.

1 In IV. (lines 24–25), delete ‘while child poverty is heavily concentrated in the poorest local 2 authorities’ and insert ‘In addition, child poverty is heavily concentrated in the poorest local 3 authorities, including, for example certain coastal towns, parts of London and many parts of 4 the Midlands and the North, which have suffered disproportionate reductions in Government 5 grants’.

6 In iii) (line 61), after ‘Rebalancing Fund’ insert ‘allocated to, and administered by, devolved 7 authorities’.

8 In 3. c) (line 117), delete ‘focusing on improving bus services’ and insert ‘including the Transport 9 for the North Strategic Transport Plan, with a focus on improvements to, and integration of, 10 local rail and bus services’.

F12 Rehabilitation of Offenders

Amendment One

Stockton Mover: Suzanne Fletcher. Summation: Maureen Rigg.

1 Delete 2. g) (lines 49–51) and insert:

2 g) Assess prisoners on indeterminate sentences to ascertain what interventions, actions 3 or courses each individual needs to complete in order to be released.

There will be a separate vote on 2. f) (lines 47–48).

F13 Reports of the Parliamentary Parties

Q1. Submitted by Mike Williams and Andrew Warburton

Why were the LGBT+ Lib Dems not consulted or spoken to before the defection of an MP with a controversial background on LGBT issues?

Q2. Submitted by Andrew Hinton

What about Dr ’s record made anybody think he was any shade of liberal, and would someone like to assure me with a straight face that he would have wanted to join this party in a million years if Brexit were not a factor?

Q3. Submitted by Richard Gadsden

Dr Phillip Lee proposed a policy in 2014 that would have required immigrants to the UK to be tested for HIV and Heptatitis B, and to be excluded in the event of a positive test.

Conference Extra, Autumn 2019 DEMAND BETTER FOR THE ECONOMY 15 Saturday 14 September

Does the Parliamentary Party consider that excluding people who are HIV+ and not excluding other, far more infectious diseases (like Ebola or tuberculosis) is clearly both homophobic and xenophobic?

What checks did the Parliamentary Party make to ensure that Phillip Lee had reconsidered this position from 2014, or did you choose to disregard this for the sake of the publicity stunt of him crossing the floor on 3 September 2019?

Q4. Submitted by Jon Ball

Did Phillip Lee provide clarifications for his previous positions on LGBT+ relationships and on immigration before his defection to the parliamentary party was accepted?

Sunday 15 September

F14 Young Carers

Amendment One

11 members Mover: Charley Hasted. Summation: to be announced.

1 After e) (line 52), insert:

2 f) More should be done to support carers transitioning from a young to an adult carer role.

3 After 7. (line 71), add:

4 8. There should be a ban on local authorities expecting under-12s to carry out regular care 5 duties with under-25s only being expected to perform these tasks with their informed 6 consent at an age appropriate level. 7 9. Duties on statutory bodies to identify, assess, train and support unpaid young carers 8 should be increased.

F15 Stop Brexit to Save the NHS and Social Care

The FCC has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion:

1 After A. (line 26), insert:

2 B. The NHS should be a universal service free at the point of use, not a profit-driven 3 provision with access dependent on ability to pay.

4 After 3. f) (line 92), insert:

5 g) Introducing the co-production of wellbeing and health programmes by health bodies 6 and councils in council run assets such as parks and libraries.

Conference Extra, Autumn 2019 DEMAND BETTER FOR THAN BREXIT 16 Sunday 15 September

7 After 4. b) (line 101), insert:

8 c) Developing the role of high street community pharmacies into a front line for health 9 services.

10 Delete 7. (lines 130–131) and insert:

11 7. Tackle the NHS and Social Care recruitment and retention crisis, and improve staff 12 wellbeing, by:

Amendment One

10 members Mover: Gabriel Stirling. Summation: Fraser Coppin.

1 In 3. f) (lines 91–92), delete ‘including introducing minimum unit pricing in England’.

Amendment Two

15 members Mover: Jacqueline Bell. Summation: to be announced.

1 After 7. d) (line 146), add:

2 e) Monitoring working conditions for care workers to promote good practice and take 3 action against exploitative practices by care providing agencies. 4 f) Ensuring support for staff who whistleblow on practices which put at risk the 5 wellbeing of patients and service users.

Amendment Three

Kingston Borough Mover: Cllr Liz Green. Summation: Mary Reid.

1 After 7. d) (line 146), add:

2 8. Supporting children and young people with special educational needs or a disability 3 (SEND) to succeed at school by:

4 a) Ending the crisis in SEND funding by reversing cuts to core school budgets and 5 providing additional funding for pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan 6 (EHCP), as set out in Policy Paper 135, Eradicating Race Inequality. 7 b) Ensuring that the support set out in a child’s EHCP is led by and based upon the 8 evidence of professionals, and is specific, relevant and individually tailored to the 9 needs of each child, with enhanced reviews at each key transition point in a child’s 10 life. 11 c) Ensuring that no parent waits more than 12 weeks for the outcome of their child’s 12 assessment for an EHCP, whilst strengthening the enforcement of the existing

Conference Extra, Autumn 2019 DEMAND BETTER FOR THE NHS 17 Sunday 15 September

13 requirement that all EHCPs are in place within 20 weeks of the date they were 14 requested. 15 d) Creating a national SEND strategy to support the joined-up provision of education 16 and care services for children with SEND.

Amendment Four

10 members Mover: Eloka Ikegbunam. Summation: Aria Dinakara Babu.

1 After 7. d) (line 146), add:

2 Conference however rejects the proposal in policy paper 137 for an extension of the sugar tax 3 to include juice and milk-based drinks that contain added sugar, and opposes the sugar tax 4 policy entirely.

F17 Stop Brexit

11 members Mover: Tom Brake MP (Shadow Cabinet Member for Exiting the EU). Summation: Caroline Voaden MEP.

1 Conference notes that:

2 A. The Conservative Government have made a mess of Brexit and ’s Labour 3 Party have been helping them to deliver this destructive Brexit. 4 B. Speaker has stated that crashing out of the EU is impossible without 5 Parliament giving approval and Parliament is now set to pass a Bill requiring the Prime 6 Minister to request an Article 50 extension until 31st January. 7 C. The European Court of Justice has ruled that the UK can unilaterally revoke Article 50, and 8 therefore no-deal is avoidable. 9 D. Liberal Democrats fought the 2019 European Elections on a clear Stop Brexit manifesto 10 and secured the best EU Election results in the party’s history, returning 16 MEPs and 11 taking second place in vote share across the country. 12 E. Reports were widespread of UK citizens abroad and EU citizens living in the UK denied 13 their right to vote in the EU Elections. 14 F. On 23rd July became Prime Minister and committed to taking the UK out of 15 the EU with or without a deal on 31st October, setting aside an extra £2.1bn for no-deal 16 preparations. 17 G. On 28th August Boris Johnson announced the prorogation of Parliament from the week 18 of the 9th September until the 14th October, shutting down democracy and attempting 19 to silence the voice of elected representatives. 20 H. The Conservative Government has announced plans to end Freedom of Movement, a 21 move that would cause chaos, deprive UK citizens of their rights to live, work and study 22 across Europe, and leave EU citizens vulnerable to the Hostile Environment; Jeremy 23 Corbyn’s Labour Party is also committed to ending Freedom of Movement.

24 Conference believes that:

25 i) There is no deal that could be negotiated that could be more beneficial than continued

Conference Extra, Autumn 2019 DEMAND BETTER FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT 18 Sunday 15 September

26 membership of the EU; leaving the EU would therefore be damaging to the UK’s 27 fundamental national interests. 28 ii) A no-deal scenario would cause immeasurable damage to our NHS, jobs, and the 29 environment. 30 iii) Freedom of Movement brings enormous benefits to the UK’s communities, public 31 services, society and economy; ending it would hurt UK employers and separate friends, 32 families and colleagues. 33 iv) The denial of citizens’ right to vote is an attack on our democracy; it is vital that the 34 system is reformed to prevent such disenfranchisement from occurring again.

35 Conference reaffirms the Liberal Democrat commitment to:

36 a) Fighting in Parliament for an “exit from Brexit” referendum and for the public to choose 37 between “the deal” or staying in the EU; with Liberal Democrats campaigning for the UK 38 to remain a full and active member of the EU. 39 b) Revoke Article 50 if the House of Commons has not passed a resolution approving the 40 negotiated Withdrawal Agreement one week ahead of the date on which the UK is due to 41 leave the EU. 42 c) Protect Freedom of Movement and extend the right to full participation in civic life to all 43 EU citizens who have lived in the UK for five years or longer. 44 d) Work cross-party to ensure Parliamentary sovereignty is upheld, and a Conservative 45 government is unable to force through a disastrous no-deal Brexit.

46 Conference calls for:

47 1. Liberal Democrats to campaign to Stop Brexit in a General Election, with the election of a 48 Liberal Democrat majority government to be recognised as an unequivocal mandate to 49 revoke Article 50 and for the UK to stay in the EU. 50 2. The government to implement urgent electoral law reform, in line with the 2014 Electoral 51 Commission’s recommendations, including introducing a legal requirement for Councils 52 to inform citizens of the steps they must take to be successfully registered; and making 53 necessary changes to ensure that the UK has an automatic system of inclusion in 54 elections. 55 3. The Conservative government to implement a declaratory system to grant settled status 56 to all EU citizens living in the UK, rather than the current constitutive process, so that they 57 need not apply but can simply register to receive physical proof of their right to live in the 58 UK.

The deadline for amendments to this motion is 13.00 Thursday 12 September. Amendments selected for debate will be printed in Sunday’s Conference Daily. The deadline for requests for separate votes is 09.00 Saturday 15 September.

F21 Federal Board Report

Q1. Submitted by Simon Pike

Why is the right of appeal in Section 5.2.2 of the disciplinary procedure limited to three days, when the Federal Constitution specifies fourteen days?

In the disciplinary procedure, why can a complaints panel postpone a hearing only in ‘exceptional

Conference Extra, Autumn 2019 DEMAND BETTER FOR SCHOOLS 19 Sunday 15 September circumstances’ (section 5.2.3.4), whereas ACAS statutory guidance for disciplinary hearings requires flexibility?

Q2. Submitted by Michael Berwick-Gooding

In the Federal Constitution it states that each committee of the Federal Party (and Federal Board is listed as one in 7.1) shall make regulations which must include provision for a report by the chair to members to be made 14 days after each meeting (7.7). Please can the date of the last four Federal Board meetings be stated with the dates of when and how these reports were made to members?

In the Federal Constitution it states that each committee of the Federal Party shall make regulations which must include provision for a report by the chair to members to be made 14 days after each meeting (7.7). It also states that this provision shall apply to any body accountable to them. I assume this means sub-committees and other groups set up by a committee. How does the Federal Board ensure that the provisions of Article 7.7 are fulfilled by all Federal committees, sub-committees and groups set up by a Federal committee and what action does it take when this article is not complied with?

Q3. Submitted by: Theo Butt Philip

Earlier today conference debated motion F4 which included a call for: ‘The Liberal Democrats, and all political parties, to implement Section 106 of the Equality Act 2010, publishing their candidate diversity data…’.

I have previously asked for the report of the Campaign for Gender Balance to include: 1. The number of women selected as PPCs, what this is as a percentage of selected PPCs overall and how this has changed since the last conference. 2. The number of women on the list of approved Westminster candidates and what this is as a percentage of the list and how this has changed since the last conference. 3. The number of women applying to be approved as Westminster candidates and what this is as a percentage of people applying to be approved as Westminster candidates.

Despite repeated request for this information to be included in the CGB report, it is still absent. Without the information outlined above Conference lacks sufficient information to judging the effectiveness of the CGB and the scale of the problem we still face.

When will the CGB be in a position to publish this information?

Q4. Submitted by Suzanne Fletcher

Did the review of the European Election include the GOTV phone bank on polling day?

Q5. Submitted by Suzanne Fletcher

1. What is the point of ‘Campaigns’ on the Federal Party Website, where people who are concerned about a policy issue sign, and then they receive no further information other than a confirmatory e-mail; no information given such as direction to party policy or a relevant SAO or AO, and our Parliamentarians are not informed as to response?

2. Whilst appreciating that our PR department is under a lot of time pressure, and lack of resources, why cannot a URL be given when press releases are sent out, that party members receive? It would

Conference Extra, Autumn 2019 DEMAND BETTER FOR COMMUNITIES 20 Sunday 15 September make the valuable work done be disseminated even further, if we could link the splendid actions and words of our parliamentarians, that are in the press releases, onto social media.

F22 Membership Subscriptions and Federal Levy

The FCC has agreed to make the following drafting amendment to the motion:

1 In 1. (in line 6 and in lines 6–7), delete ‘Liberal Youth’ and insert ‘Young Liberals’.

F23 Constitutional Amendments

The FCC has agreed to make the following drafting amendment to the motion:

1 In line 7, after ‘local parties’ insert ‘(based on figures provided by the Chief Executive)’.

F24 Standing Order Amendments

The FCC has agreed to make the following drafting amendment to the motion:

1 In line 3, after ‘local parties’ insert ‘(based on figures provided by the Chief Executive)’.

F23 and F24 will be debated together but voted on separately. Both the constitutional amendment and the standing orders amendment require a two-thirds majority to pass. Separate votes will be held on Parts 1 to 5 of F23. If Part 2 of F23 passes, then there will be a vote on lines 1–5 of F24; if Part 2 of F23 falls, then there will only be a vote on lines 4–5 of F24.

Monday 16 September

F25 Music Venues

The FCC has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion:

1 In 2. (line 41), after ‘Parliamentarians’ insert ‘and councillor organisations’.

2 In line 48, delete ‘c)’ and insert ‘b)’.

3 In line 51, delete ‘d)’ and insert ‘c)’.

Amendment One

11 members Mover: Lord Clement-Jones. Summation: to be announced.

1 After vii) (line 36), insert:

2 viii) The Government has explicitly excluded music venues from business rate relief on the

Conference Extra, Autumn 2019 DEMAND BETTER FOR THE ECONOMY 21 Monday 16 September

3 grounds that they are not ‘similar in nature’ to pubs and clubs despite some venues 4 facing rate hikes of up to 806% following the damaging 2017 revaluation.

5 After 4. (line 54), add:

6 5. Amended Government guidance to ensure music venues are eligible for business rate 7 relief.

F26 United Against Crime

The FCC has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion:

1 After III. (line 13), insert:

2 IV. That despite the clear racial bias in deployment of Stop and Search powers and 3 the significant resentment caused by their often arbitrary usage, the Conservative 4 government has pledged to expand their use and weaken senior officers’ oversight of 5 their deployment.

6 In 4. e) (lines 106–108), after ‘communities and’ insert ‘supporting the establishment of 7 community groups to bring together representatives of local charities, faith and belief groups, 8 voluntary and community organisations, public sector organisations and businesses that 9 would work with police and local authorities, to’.

F29 Tackling the Climate Emergency

The FCC has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion:

1 In line 9, between ‘poorest’ and ‘people’, insert ‘and most disadvantaged’, and in lines 9–10, 2 between ‘poorest’ and ‘communities’, insert ‘and most disadvantaged’.

3 After 1. c) (line 74), insert:

4 d) Ensuring that any public engagement activity must include empowering poorer and 5 BAME communities and people with access and mobility requirements to play a 6 central role in agreeing the changes needed to tackle the climate crisis, particularly 7 locally.

Amendment One

Newark & Sherwood Mover: Jane Brophy MEP. Summation: Keith Melton.

1 Delete lines 11–22 and insert:

2 Conference therefore resolves that the UK must reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases as 3 a matter of extreme urgency.

4 Conference recognises that early action on setting and achieving drastic but credible interim 5 targets is more important than setting a notional, precise end-date to achieve net-zero

Conference Extra, Autumn 2019 DEMAND BETTER THAN BREXIT 22 Monday 16 September

6 emissions, and therefore endorses the interim aim of a 75 per cent reduction from 1990 7 levels by 2030 at the latest.

8 Conference also recognises that the rapid global heating effects of methane have been 9 severely under-estimated until very recently, and therefore calls for urgent action to reduce 10 methane emissions, in particular from intensive beef farming and the industrial energy sector 11 and by immediately banning fracking.

12 Conference believes that these steps would enable a faster reduction in greenhouse gas 13 emissions, and calls for an interim target of a 90 per cent reduction by 2035 leading to net- 14 zero emissions by 2040 (with all targets subject to revision should faster progress prove 15 possible).

Amendment Two

Chippenham Mover: David Vigar. Summation: Helen Belcher.

1 After line 31, insert:

2 Conference recognises the UK’s offer to host the 2020 UN climate change summit (COP26) 3 and, in keeping with the policy paper’s demand “to raise global ambition”, calls for the 4 UK to propose a major strengthening of the UN’s capacity to lead emissions reduction by 5 appointing a UN Climate Commissioner and executive team to hold governments to account 6 and mobilise public opinion, with the UK offering an initial contribution to the increased 7 resourcing required.

Amendment Three

West Berkshire & Newbury Mover: Adrian Abbs. Summation: Tony Vickers.

1 After 4. c) (line 110), insert:

2 d) Working internationally to develop a simple sustainability ‘traffic light’ labelllng 3 system to empower consumers in all sectors.

Amendment Four

10 members Mover: Baroness Kramer. Summation: to be announced.

1 In 7. d) (lines 151–152), delete ‘to target the most frequent flyers’and insert ‘by introducing a 2 compulsory carbon offset levy to be replaced by a graduated frequent flyer levy when the 3 issues of data protection, compatibility with online booking and exemptions for necessary 4 travellers such as small exporters, international students and families with crises have been 5 resolved. And by’.

Conference Extra, Autumn 2019 DEMAND BETTER FOR THE NHS 23 Tuesday 17 September

F38 Building Railways Fit for the 21st Century

The FCC has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion:

1 In 1. a) (lines 32–33), delete ‘existing commuter lines’ and insert ‘where this can unlock capacity 2 or create new demand’.

3 After 3. d) (line 72), insert:

4 e) Identify and set out an action plan to tackle skills shortages, identifying resource 5 requirements from the industry as appropriate.

6 In 5. a) (line 88), delete ‘expenditure’ and insert ‘cost and schedule’.

7 In 7. b) (line 107), after ‘appropriate’ insert ‘including being statutory consultees as part of the 8 franchising process, and where relevant, moving towards Regional Transport Authorities 9 leading this process for local services in their areas’.

10 In 8. (line 108), delete ‘Keep passenger and freight services apart’ and insert ‘Increase overall 11 passenger and freight capacity and reduce bottlenecks’.

Amendment One

16 members Mover: Gareth Epps. Summation: to be announced.

1 In 6. (line 98), after ‘franchises’ insert ‘and creating the opportunity for existing employees to 2 set up an employee-owned company to run franchises through the transfer of LNER into 3 employee ownership’.

Emergency Motions Ballot

Two of the following motions will be selected by ballot to be debated at F32 at 17.15 on Monday 16 September and at F33 at 09.00 on Tuesday 17 September. Ballot papers will be printed with Saturday’s Conference Daily and the ballot box will be open in the Auditorium between 09.00 and 12.50 on Saturday 14 September.

Emergency motion 1: Amazon fires

Lambeth

1 Conference notes with alarm the 84 per cent increase in the number of wildfires in the 2 Brazilian Amazon between January and August 2019, compared to the same period in 2018.

3 Conference condemns the actions of the Bolsonaro government in encouraging the clearance

Conference Extra, Autumn 2019 DEMAND BETTER FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT 24 Emergency motions ballot

4 of forests for agriculture, in breach of its own international commitments on climate change 5 and biodiversity.

6 Conference further notes that:

7 a) The protection and restoration of the world’s forests is essential to tackling climate 8 change, protecting biodiversity and guaranteeing the survival of many indigenous 9 peoples and forest communities. 10 b) Clearance for agriculture is the single biggest driver of deforestation world-wide, and is 11 particularly important in tropical forests. 12 c) Many of the commodities so produced, including soy, palm oil, beef and leather, timber, 13 pulp and paper and cocoa, are destined for export markets in Europe, North America and 14 Asia. 15 d) Most of the palm oil imported to the EU, and a significant proportion of soy, are destined 16 for use for energy, mainly as biofuels for transport.

17 Conference calls on the EU and its member states, including the UK, to:

18 1. Refuse to ratify the Mercosur-EU free trade agreement until the Brazilian government 19 has put in place effective measures to protect Brazilian forests and the rights of forest 20 communities and indigenous peoples. 21 2. Introduce legislation requiring companies based in or operating in the EU not to place on 22 the EU market any products whose production is associated with illegal or unsustainable 23 deforestation. 24 3. Phase out subsidies and regulatory support for the production of biofuels based on 25 crops. 26 4. Negotiate agreements with governments of forest-rich developing countries to improve 27 forest governance and law enforcement and to make trade in forest risk commodities 28 with the EU conditional on legal and sustainable production. 29 5. Work with other major consumer countries, including in particular China, to put in place 30 global systems to regulate trade in illegal and unsustainable forest risk commodities. 31 6. Increase bilateral and multilateral development aid for the protection of forests world- 32 wide.

Applicability: Federal.

Emergency motion 2: A duty to Hong Kong

11 members

1 Conference notes that:

2 i) The UK and China signed the Sino-British declaration in 1984; the declaration was lodged 3 at the United Nations and included a 50 year-long commitment to ensure that Hong Kong 4 continues to function under a ‘one country, two systems’ framework in order to uphold 5 Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy and progress towards universal suffrage; Hong 6 Kong sovereignty was handed from the UK to China on 1st July 1997. 7 ii) In 2017 China’s foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang described the legally binding Hong 8 Kong handover treaty with Britain “as a historical document, no longer has any practical 9 significance”. 10 iii) In April 2019 Hong Kong’s Beijing-backed legislature introduced an Extradition Bill that

Conference Extra, Autumn 2019 DEMAND BETTER FOR SCHOOLS 25 Emergency motions ballot

11 would have enabled Beijing to extradite individuals from Hong Kong to China without 12 guarantee of a fair trial. 13 iv) Having initially suspended the controversial Bill, it was eventually fully withdrawn by Hong 14 Kong’s Chief Executive, Carrie Lam. 15 v) Up to two million people have taken to the streets of Hong Kong to protest the 16 Extradition Bill and call for democratic reforms; these demonstrators were largely 17 peaceful, picking up litter and parting efficiently for emergency vehicles. 18 vi) Clashes and violence over the protests have escalated, with reports of police using rubber 19 bullets, tear gas, water cannons, and firing warning shots of live ammunition. 20 vii) Satellite photos show what appear to be armoured personnel carriers and other 21 vehicles belonging to the China’s paramilitary People’s Armed Police parked in the city of 22 Shenzhen, which borders Hong Kong. 23 viii) Recent opinion polls show that 90 per cent of young people between the ages of 18 and 24 29 view Carrie Lam unfavourably, but the electoral system, whereby the leader is elected 25 by an ‘Election Committee’ of 1,200 people, means they have no say. 26 ix) Lord Ashdown led the campaign to give the people of Hong Kong British citizenship, 27 including the right to abode, if China ever reneged on the promises enshrined in the 28 international treaty. 29 x) Liberal Democrats have worked to hold the Conservative government to account on the 30 UK’s obligations to the people of Hong Kong.

31 Conference believes that:

32 A. The introduction of the Extradition Bill, the sentencing of pro-democracy protestors 33 and reports of police violence in Hong Kong represent contravention of the Sino-British 34 declaration. 35 B. The UK has a moral and legal responsibility to ensure that democracy, the rule of law, and 36 human rights are upheld in Hong Kong. 37 C. The UK must stand with protestors in Hong Kong in their fight to protect and enhance 38 their rights and freedoms, calling for the full withdrawal of the Extradition Bill, a full 39 investigation into police violence, and for further progress towards universal suffrage.

40 Conference calls for:

41 1. The UK government to offer the people of Hong Kong British citizenship including the 42 right to abode. 43 2. The UK government to use Britain’s diplomatic and trading relationship with China to help 44 ensure Beijing refrains from using excessive or military force to end the protests. 45 3. The UK government to ensure that the UK and our international partners indefinitely 46 suspend all export licenses for crowd control equipment to Hong Kong.

Applicability: Federal.

Emergency motion 3: Emergency in the State of Jammu and Kashmir

26 members

1 Conference notes with concern that:

2 i) The Government of has revoked the special status accorded to the state of Jammu 3 and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution.

Conference Extra, Autumn 2019 DEMAND BETTER FOR COMMUNITIES 26 Emergency motions ballot

4 ii) Under Article 370(1) of the Constitution of India, such a revocation may only be effected 5 with the “concurrence” of the state government of Jammu and Kashmir. 6 iii) By effecting this revocation at a time when there is no elected state government in power 7 and the state is under the President’s direct rule, the federal Government has abrogated 8 the spirit of Article 370. 9 iv) Accompanying these actions, the Government of India escalated military presence in 10 Jammu and Kashmir, enforced curfews, enforced a media blackout and blocked all 11 communications. 12 v) The Government of India has detained and arrested Kashmiri leaders and party workers, 13 including two former Chief Ministers of state kept in house arrest in hotels.

14 Conference further notes that:

15 a) The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights found in 2018 the Indian 16 state guilty of “excessive force that [...] led to unlawful killings and a very high number of 17 injuries”, and denying access to justice to Kashmiris. 18 b) It recommended measures to eliminate the impunity with which security forces were able 19 to act and improve accountability for human rights violations of the state. 20 c) Instead of adopting these recommendations, the Indian state’s recent actions have 21 worsened the situation for human rights in Jammu and Kashmir.

22 Conference therefore calls for the UK government to work multilaterally within the European 23 Union, the Commonwealth, and United Nations with the instruments they have at their 24 disposal to call on:

25 1. The Government of India to lift media and communications blackouts and release those 26 arrested without warrants. 27 2. The Government of India to reinstate the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. 28 3. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to enter the state of Jammu and Kashmir 29 and report on the state of affairs since 5th August 2019.

30 Conference also calls for the party to work with its liberal counterparts around the world to 31 achieve the same goals.

32 Conferences also re-affirms the call in policy motionIndia and Pakistan (2002) for the 33 Governments of India and Pakistan to undertake in good faith dialogue and processes 34 designed to lead to a final settlement over Kashmir.

Applicability: Federal.

Emergency motion 4: Freeports

10 members

1 Conference notes:

2 i) The proposals of the Secretary of State for International Trade to establish up to ten 3 freeports – a special kind of port where normal tax and customs rules do not apply – in 4 the UK on August 2nd, based on the recommendations of a new Freeports Advisory 5 Panel. 6 ii) That there are currently no freeports in the UK, although there is one on the Isle of Man,

Conference Extra, Autumn 2019 DEMAND BETTER FOR THE ECONOMY 27 Emergency motions ballot

7 and there are freeports in the EU, eg, in Bordeaux in France, Bremerhaven in Germany 8 and in Luxembourg. 9 iii) The findings of the 2018 European Parliament report Money laundering and tax evasion 10 risks in free ports, which argues that: 11 A. While freeports were initially intended for goods in transit, they are increasingly used 12 as ways to store assets such as collections of, eg, art and antiques as a way to avoid 13 scrutiny and avoid normal checks and controls. 14 B. Because freeports allow almost anyone to bring in goods on behalf of someone else, 15 without disclosing the ultimate beneficial owner, people are able to use them to hide 16 from tax authorities. 17 iv) That the government is proposing freeports as a way to avoid tariffs in the event of a 18 no-deal Brexit, but – given that advocates of a no-deal Brexit argue for setting tariffs to 19 zero for the vast majority of goods – it is unclear what they would achieve even in that 20 scenario.

21 Conference believes that:

22 a) Freeports increase the risk of money-laundering and tax evasion, and neither the UK nor 23 the EU should not act in a way that facilitates these practices. 24 b) Using freeports to promote particular types of manufacturing in a geographic area risks 25 simply moving industries from one part of the UK to the freeport, and this would mean 26 damaging areas that lose established industries without creating any additional jobs. 27 c) There is no system for reducing barriers to trade that compares to the benefits of 28 membership of the EU and access to the single market and customs union. 29 d) UK industry already enjoys many of the claimed-benefits of freeports across the whole 30 country through tariff-free and integrated EU-wide supply chains. 31 e) There are no circumstances in which the expense of establishing a network of freeports 32 makes sense in the context of the UK.

33 Conference calls for Liberal Democrats to:

34 1. Oppose the establishment of freeports in the UK. 35 2. Work with European partners to ensure that all existing freeports within the EU are not 36 used for the purposes of tax evasion or as tax havens and to ensure transparency around 37 transactions at freeports. 38 3. If it is not possible to prevent the abuse of freeports, work with European partners to 39 scrap freeports across the EU.

Applicability: Federal.

Emergency motion 5: Standing up for parliamentary democracy

11 members

1 Conference notes that:

2 A. The Westminster model of government and the ‘Mother of All Parliaments’ are held 3 in high esteem around the world and are considered to be the basis of modern 4 parliamentary democracy. 5 B. On 27 August 2019, the Prime Minister announced that he would prorogue Parliament 6 between 9 and 11 September, preventing Parliament from sitting until 14 October and

Conference Extra, Autumn 2019 DEMAND BETTER THAN BREXIT 28 Emergency motions ballot

7 stopping MPs from being able to vote on whether to hold a Conference recess. 8 C. Liberal Democrats are working on a cross-party basis in Parliament and in the courts to 9 stop our democracy being silenced and restore parliamentary sovereignty.

10 Conference believes that:

11 i) The Prime Minister and the Government are the servants of Parliament, are accountable 12 to Parliament, and only continue in post because they command the confidence of the 13 House of Commons. 14 ii) Shutting down parliamentary democracy for so long during the most significant political 15 crisis in recent memory is an authoritarian power grab by the Prime Minister, significantly 16 reducing the number of days that Parliament can sit before 31 October 2019. 17 iii) The decision silences democracy, preventing MPs from scrutinising Government policy 18 decisions and the potential impact of a no-deal Brexit in the days leading up to 31 October. 19 iv) The Prime Minister’s purely politically motivated decision undermines faith in the fairness 20 of the British political system and strengthens the case for constitutional reform. 21 v) Liberal Democrats in Parliament will stand up for the people’s right to have their say on 22 the final Brexit deal by ensuring that the does not leave the European 23 Union without a deal on 31 October 2019 and by leading the campaign for a People’s Vote 24 in order to stop Brexit altogether.

25 Conference calls on the Government to:

26 a) Rescind the Order-in-Council proroguing Parliament immediately, enabling Parliament to 27 fulfil its democratic purpose and sit throughout the remainder of the Conference Recess 28 in order to ensure that the UK does not leave the European Union on 31 October 2019 29 without a deal. 30 b) Enable Parliament, rather than the Queen-in-Council, to approve when Parliament is 31 prorogued and for how long, just as the House of Commons approves its own recess 32 dates. 33 c) Set up an independent commission made up of parliamentarians, academics, the judiciary 34 and others, to consider each power that the executive is able to exercise under the Royal 35 Prerogative and make recommendations on how to curtail the illiberal centralisation of 36 power into the executive and in particular the use of the Royal Prerogative.

37 Conference reaffirms its commitments, as set out in Policy Paper 117,Power to the People, to 38 make government more accountable both Parliament and to the people by:

39 1. Creating a House Business Committee to enable backbench MPs and MPs from opposition 40 parties to influence the parliamentary timetable. 41 2. Providing that a new Prime Minister and their administration can only take office formally 42 once the House of Commons has voted for them to do so. 43 3. Electing MPs by Single Transferable Vote in multi-member constituencies and electing the 44 House of Lords. 45 4. Establishing a Constitutional Convention to draw up a comprehensive written constitution 46 for the UK.

Applicability: Federal.

Conference Extra, Autumn 2019 DEMAND BETTER FOR THE NHS 29