Lib Dems reveal conference agenda
The Liberal Democrats have revealed their agenda for the upcoming party conference.
Launching the agenda, the Liberal Democrats’ campaigns director Lord Razzall said that the party anticipated this being the last autumn conference before the general election and, as such, the agenda reflects the party’s pre-election manifesto, which was launched yesterday.
The backdrop for the conference will be the slogan of “Freedom, Fairness and Trust” that characterised yesterday’s manifesto.
The key highlight of the opening day of the conference will be a debate on personal debt, led by Vince Cable and the Treasury team, as well as an opening press conference with Charles Kennedy.
On Monday, Shirley Williams will make her last speech as the Leader in the House of Lords as she has announced her intention to stand down. The hustings for her replacement are likely to take place in October. Menzies Campbell will also lead a debate on foreign policy, and is expected to argue for a radical change of direction after Iraq.
Also on Monday, in a conference innovation, Charles Kennedy will take a question and answer session, which will be chaired by the editor of the Independent, Simon Kelner.
Tuesday will see a day primarily focused on environmental policy, before the focus shifts on Wednesday and Thursday to law and order and the buildup to Mr Kennedy’s speech. On Wednesday there will be another key question and answer question, this time on law and order, with home affairs spokesman Mark Oaten and Brian Paddick, assistant deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.
On Thursday, Mr Kennedy will address the conference at the slightly earlier than usual time of 11.15, after the maiden speech from the new Party President Simon Hughes.
Friday morning this week is the deadline for the submission for emergency motions and any amendments to the manifesto, so it is not yet know which of these will be debated.
Commenting on the agenda, Lord Razzall said there was absolutely no truth in the rumour that the conference agenda had been “sanitised”.
Asked about the Orange Book, which contains contributions from a number of leading Liberal Democrats, Lord Razzall confirmed that there would be a fringe meeting by the organisers but he felt, in regard to some press coverage that suggested there was some sort of row about the book, the contributors themselves were keen to avoid any controversy.
Turing to the upcoming Hartlepool by-election, and the Liberal Democrats’ prospects for the next general election, Lord Razzall was reluctant to mention any particular figures or targets.
However, he said he had “complete confidence” that the Lib Dems would win more seats than before at the next general election and that they will take seats off both the Conservatives and Labour – particularly in the inner cities, he predicted.
On the Hartlepool by-election specifically, Lord Razzall predicted that it would be a close fight between the Lib Dems and Labour, with the Conservatives potentially in fourth place.
