AGENDA + DIRECTORY Spring Conference York 15 - 17 MARCH 2019 DEMAND BETTER Agenda_directory_cover_S19_YORK.indd 1 29/01/2019 15:35:52 Civic Drinks Reception HCIVICosted by the RDRINKSt Hon the Lord Mayor RECEPTION of York, Cllr Julie Gunnell FridayMembers 7 March are invited 17.15 to–18.00, join Cllr York Keith Barbican Orrell, The Right Honourable Lord MembersMayor of are York, invited the toCivic join Party the Rt and Hon Cllr the KeithLord Mayor Aspden, of York Deputy, Cllr LeaderJulie Gunnell of City and of Party President Tim Farron for a drink and speeches ahead of the Party’s traditional ConferenceYork Council Rally. (Lib Dems), for welcome drinks before the Conference Rally. Friday 15 March 2019, 17.15–18.00, York Barbican Conference Rally Join Vince Cable, Ed Davey and Jo Swinson discussing the local elections and Exit from Brexit. 15 March 2019, 18.30–19.30 York Barbican, Auditorium Contents Welcome to the Agenda & Feature 2–3 Directory for the Liberal Welcome to York from Democrat Spring 2019 federal Vince Cable MP 2 conference. Conference information 4–12 Conference venue Conference venue plan 12 York Barbican Exhibition: 13–17 Paragon Street List of exhibitors 13 York YO10 4NT Directory of exhibitors 14 The conference venue will open at Fringe & training guide: 19–32 16.30 on Friday 15 March. Fringe venues and key 19 Conference hotel Friday fringe 20 Novotel York Centre Saturday fringe 21 Fishergate Training & Skills Programme 25 York YO10 4FD Agenda: 33–61 Official fringe venue Agenda index and timetable 33 Friday 15 March 34 Hilton York 1 Tower St Saturday 16 March 35 York YO1 9WD Sunday 17 March 54 Autumn 2019 conference Further information, registration timetable 61 and conference publications (including Standing orders 62–72 plain text and clear print Federal Party 73 versions) are available at: Map of York City Centre back cover www.libdems.org.uk/springconference ISBN 978-1-910763-61-2 Edited by Emma Price and published by Printed by Park Communications Ltd, The Conference Office, Liberal Democrats, Alpine Way, London E6 6LA. 8–10 Great George Street, London SW1P 3AE. Photographs © Liberal Democrats Design and layout by Mike Cooper, unless stated. [email protected]. DEMAND BETTER FOR THE NHS 1 Feature Welcome to York from Vince Cable MP We look forward to welcoming been so faithfully defended, to the you to the Liberal Democrat fury of Brexiteers. Spring Conference in York. Yet the present mess is not the fault of the Conservative Party As this guide goes to press, British alone. The abject failure of Jeremy politics is in flux and the whole of Corbyn’s Labour Party to provide the European Union awaits with any credible opposition has increasing dismay as the Prime permitted the Government just to Minister doggedly defends a Brexit let the clock tick down while they deal which has been trounced by attempt to repair internal divisions. Parliament. The national interest has been shamefully suborned to the Our consistent position on Europe respective interests of both big is bearing fruit, with hundreds of parties. thousands supporting our Exit from Brexit campaign, and real evidence At this conference, we offer the of the sands shifting in our British people real hope of a way direction. By the time we meet on through. With a People’s Vote and 15–17 March, much may have an Exit from Brexit, our country happened. could reap the economic reward of remaining, and move on to refocus As things stand today, the Prime on what matters to the public. A Minister’s deal seems most unlikely world class education system with to be resuscitated unless she lifelong learning, a well-funded, concedes a People’s Vote, with an sustainable NHS, an ambitious option to remain in the European programme of social housing. As a Union. leading member of the European Union, we can punch above our Brexit has been overseen and weight on the world stage to fight prosecuted by a hopelessly divided global climate change. government. A divided team of one, attempting to make headway Stopping Brexit is not just an end with a united team of 27 countries itself. Our belief in the European in the EU. It has been testament to Union as the continent’s most the strength of the European successful peace project, and the Union, that Ireland’s interests have world’s biggest market of 2 AGENDA AND DIRECTORY SPRING CONFERENCE 2019 Feature consumers, is not just a romantic Thank you for playing your part in attachment. We believe in our role our conference, and for all you do in Europe because of what our for the party this and every year. membership means for what we See you in York. can deliver in Britain, and for what that union of nations can achieve in the world. Beyond Brexit, the existing party system could well break wide open. We must become the gathering Vince Cable MP point for liberal voters and liberal Leader of the Liberal Democrats voices presently dotted around the political spectrum. At this conference, we debate crucial reforms to open the party up, inviting in a range of supporters who have not yet committed to membership. I want to see our party welcome hundreds of thousands of new people with open arms, and a willingness to give those who support our values a real say in the future. DEMAND BETTER THAN BREXIT 3 Conference information If you have any questions on-site, For details see: please ask a steward or go to the www.libdems.org.uk/access-fund Information Information Desk in the main foyer of York Barbican. Accommodation Be aware that flash photography is frequently used in the auditorium. Accommodation can be booked via Please ensure that all mobile our local partner, Visit York, on: phones are on silent before 01904 550080 entering the auditorium. You are welcome to stay in York Please note that access to York with a local Party member, for a Barbican is only possible with a low-cost donation to local party valid conference pass. funds (cost dependent on type of accommodation) that will help win Conference Access Fund target seats in local elections in May 2019. We have established a Conference Access Fund to improve For more info email Aileen at: accessibility for members attending [email protected] conference. The fund consists of a contribution Banking facilities from the conference budget as well as donations from party members. Please note there is no ATM Contributions made by members available at this venue or in the are ring-fenced; where applicable, immediate vicinity. unused donations will be carried over to the next conference. Cloakroom York Barbican does not have a cloakroom; however rails will be available for attendees to leave coats at their own risk. Do not leave bags unattended at any point within the venue. Please note that under no circumstances will any large bags or suitcases be allowed into York Barbican. 4 AGENDA AND DIRECTORY SPRING CONFERENCE 2019 Conference information Conference Extra and Daily can be linked to hearing aids. Conference Extra is published l Sign language interpretation ahead of conference and during all auditorium sessions; a Conference Daily each day at number of seats are reserved for conference, containing updates to attendees using this service, at the agenda including changes to the front of the auditorium to timings, amendments, topical the left of the stage. Information issues, emergency motions and l Reserved seats at the front of the questions to reports, available at: auditorium for those who would www.libdems.org.uk/ benefit from being closer to the conference_papers stage due to a visual impairment. Limited hard copies of Conference Mobility aids Daily will be available each morning The Liberal Democrats have a from the Information Desk and of limited number of electric scooters Conference Extra from the Midshire available for use around the stand in the exhibition. conference venue – please note that they need to be returned each evening. To request the use of an electric scooter, tick the appropriate Be green – Go paperless! box when registering, or prior to conference contact: Disabled access [email protected] If you need assistance at the venue, please contact the Information Desk where our dedicated access Distribution of literature steward will be on hand to help. If Distribution of literature is not you need assistance or information allowed inside or directly outside in advance, contact the Conference York Barbican. Excessive Office on: distribution of promotional literature is not in line with the [email protected] party’s environmental policies. Auditorium facilities Any persons attempting to bring a l A wheelchair lift at the right of large number of fliers into the the stage; the chair of the conference centre may be session will ensure wheelchair prohibited from entering and a users are called in plenty of time dilapidation charge will be levied to access the stage. against any organisation or individual responsible for ‘fly- l An induction loop system, which posting’. DEMAND BETTER FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT 5 Conference information Federal Conference You can contact the Information Committee helpdesk Desk by email: Information Members of the FCC will be conferenceinformation@ available to give advice at the libdems.org.uk Information Desk at the following times: Internet access Friday 15 March 17.00–18.00 Free wifi is available within York Saturday 16 March 09.00–10.30 Barbican – no password is required. Saturday 16 March 14.00–16.00 Network name: Barbican Free Federal Board helpdesk Left luggage The FB helpdesk is situated by the On Sunday 17 March please store Information Desk.