AgendaGlasgow 4th—8th October 2014 Autumn Conference AutumnConferenceBrochure.indd 39 12/08/2014 12:56 Conference App Available 26th September Download our Conference App for Autumn Conference, with great features such as My Schedule (the easiest way to plan your Conference) and searchable Fringe & Training Guides. To download the App visit the App Store or Google Play For Blackberry/Windows Phone please visit www.libdemconference.org.uk Sponsored by Gatwick Airport ConferenceAppAdvert2014.indd 1 12/08/2014 13:08 Welcome to the Agenda for the Contents Liberal Democrat Autumn 2014 Federal Conference. Information: 3–8 Conference venue Auditorium information 3 Conference timetable 2015 4 Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) Agenda: 10–77 Exhibition Way, Agenda index and timetable 10 Glasgow, G3 8YW www.secc.co.uk Saturday 4th October 13 Sunday 5th October 29 Conference hotel Monday 6th October 45 Tuesday 7th October 57 Crowne Plaza Glasgow Wednesday 8th October 71 Congress Road, Glasgow, G3 8QT www.crowneplazaglasgow.co.uk Standing orders 78–88 Federal Party 89 If you have any questions whilst at conference please ask a conference For general conference information, steward or go to the Information Desk exhibition and fringe, see the separate in the foyer of the Clyde Auditorium. Directory. The Agenda and other ISBN 978-1-907046-92-6 conference publications, Edited by Emma Price and published in PDF, plain text and by The Conference Office, Liberal Democrats, 8–10 Great George Street, clear print formats, are London SW1P 3AE. available online Design and layout by Mike Cooper, [email protected]. www.libdems.org.uk/conference_papers Printed by Sarum Colourview, Unit 8, The Woodford Centre, Salisbury SP4 6BU, www.sarumcolourview.co.uk. Front cover photo by Dave Radcliffe Photographs © Liberal Democrats unless stated. Stronger Economy. Fairer Society. 1 The Federal Conference Committee Andrew Wiseman, Sal Brinton, Geoff Payne, Qassim Afzal, Louise Bloom, Chair Vice Chair Vice Chair, FE rep FPC rep English rep Prateek Buch, Gareth Epps Veronica German, Sandra Gidley James Gurling, FPC rep Welsh rep FE rep Evan Harris Jenni Lang, Liz Lynne Chris Maines Justine Scottish rep McGuinness Pauline Pearce David Rendel Shas Sheehan Paul Tilsley Mike Ross, Chief Steward, co-opted Ex officio: Members of the FCC will be available to give Don Foster MP, Chief Whip. advice at the Information Desk at the following times: Tim Farron MP, 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 2014 Auditorium information Information concerning the conduct of Conference Extra and Daily the main conference sessions is listed Information on the following pages of this Agenda. Conference Extra shows changes and updates to the Agenda and Directory, The formal rules for the conduct of and amendments to motions, topical federal conference are set out in issues, emergency motions and standing orders on pages 78–88. questions to reports. Conference Extra General conference information is will be available at conference and listed alphabetically in the separate online at www.libdems.org.uk/ Directory. The Directory also contains conference_papers. a map of Glasgow and plans of the Conference Daily includes a report venue. back on the previous day’s business, If you have any questions on-site, updated session timings and any please ask a steward or go to the last-minute changes to movers, Information Desk in the Scottish amendments, emergency motions, Exhibition and Conference Centre etc. Collect your copy of Conference (SECC). Daily from the literature collection points each day. Conference timetable 2015 13th–15th March 2015, Liverpool Drafting advice deadline (motions) 13.00 Wednesday 5th January 2015 Motions deadline 13.00 Wednesday 14th January 2015 Drafting advice deadline 13.00 Monday 24th February 2015 (amendments, emergency motions) Deadline for amendments to motions, 13.00 Tuesday 10th March 2015 emergency motions, topical issues, questions to reports 19th–23rd September 2015, Bournemouth Drafting advice deadline (motions) 13.00 Wednesday 17th June 2015 Motions deadline 13.00 Wednesday 1st July 2015 Drafting advice deadline 13.00 Monday 25th August 2015 (amendments, emergency motions) Deadline for amendments to motions, 13.00 Monday 7th September 2015 emergency motions, topical issues, questions to reports Stronger Economy. Fairer Society. 3 Information Ministerial Q&A sessions There will be a series of Ministerial Q&A sessions during conference, where you can ask questions of our Ministers on the issues relating to their responsibilities and their departments. All sessions will take place in Carron 1 in the SECC. Saturday 4th October 15.00–16.00 Energy; Ed Davey Saturday 4th October 16.30–17.30 DCLG; Stephen Williams Sunday 5th October 11.30–12.30 Business; Vince Cable & Jo Swinson Sunday 5th October 15.00–16.00 Home Affairs & Justice; Simon Hughes & Norman Baker Sunday 5th October 16.30–17.30 Treasury; Danny Alexander Monday 6th October 11.30–12.30 Scotland; Alistair Carmichael & Willie Rennie Monday 6th October 15.00–16.00 International Development; Lynne Featherstone Monday 6th October 16.30–17.30 Health; Norman Lamb Tuesday 7th October 11.30–12.30 Party Matters – members only; Tim Farron & Tim Gordon Tuesday 7th October 15.00–16.00 Work and Pensions; Steve Webb Tuesday 7th October 16.30–17.30 Education; David Laws Wednesday 8th October 09.30–10.30 DEFRA; Dan Rogerson & Kate Parminter Wednesday 8th October 11.00–12.00 Transport; Susan Kramer Sessions are open to all, but party members will be given priority. Hearing loop provided. Conference Rally Celebrating the campaigning spirit of the Liberal Democrats Featuring speakers Jo Swinson, Paddy Ashdown and Nick Clegg. Looking ahead to the General Election and the local elections in 2015, join Liberal Democrats from across the UK showcasing the party’s talent, spirit and ambition. Saturday 4th October 2014, 18.30–19.30 SECC, Clyde Auditorium 4 Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference Agenda 2014 Auditorium information Venue please ask a member of the stewarding team to direct you to Information All auditorium sessions take place in the appropriate seating block. the Clyde Auditorium of the SECC. l Sign language interpretation during Access to the SECC secure zone is all auditorium sessions; a number of possible only with a valid, visible seats are reserved for conference photo pass worn with the representatives using this service, at official lanyard. You will be asked to the front of the auditorium to the left show your pass when you enter the of the stage. secure area and you are required to l Reserved seats at the front of the wear the pass with the lanyard visible auditorium for those who would at all times within the area. benefit from being closer to the stage due to a visual impairment. Do allow time for security check queues during key times – particularly If you need assistance at the venue, after lunch and ahead of popular please contact a conference steward events. via the Information Desk or our disabled access steward Robert Be aware that flash photography is Littlehales on 07712 667702 or frequently used in the auditorium. [email protected]. 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 Ramped access to the stage; the chair of the session will ensure wheelchair users are called in plenty of time to access the stage. l An induction loop system, which can be linked to hearing aids; What’s your top conference tip? #ldconf @libdemconf Stronger Economy. Fairer Society. 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 www.libdems.org.uk/conference_ The summator of the motion papers, by email to separate.votes@ speaks libdems.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.