Conference Diary Part 2

Conference got underway today and our first policy debate was “Reducing Poverty and Discrimination” to strengthening the Party’s commitment to well managed & well-directed overseas aid.

There was an amendment to the motion which called on the party to “Encourage and support the Fairtrade movement in promoting ‘aid through trade’…”. I, as a former Secretary of Fairtrade for Bassetlaw, was proud that my first vote at a Liberal Democrat Conference (and as far as I know the first from Bassetlaw) we to make this Liberal Democrat policy.

The full motion was also passed, make the Liberal Democrats a party fully behind ““…to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community and in which no-one is enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity" not just her in the UK but across the world.

This debate was not the only event of the first day of Conference. Before the formal opening, we had a “Presidential Hustings”, where the four candidates to succeed Tim Farron as Party President answered questions from party members. The role of President of the Liberal Democrats to represent the party and to head up the party structure. This is an important role (especially when we are in Government) and, unlike other parties, it is elected by the party membership on a One Member One Vote (OMOV) basis.

Any one of the four female candidates would make a great president so choosing between them will be difficult. The Husting was filmed and as soon as possible, I will add the link so you can make your own mind up.

In another important decision, Conference accepted the principle of OMOV not just for electing the Leader & the Party President, but for all votes on Conference. These changes will mean that any Lib Dem member can attend Conference and vote. The changes still need some work done to tidy up all the constitutional implications but there was a commitment to try to get this done at our Spring Conference in Liverpool so, with luck, our next Autumn Conference in Bournemouth will be open to all members to participate.

Even though Yannie & I missed the Conference Rally (you can watch it here) I still got on Sky News (at about 2:00) with some of my responses to a vox pop they did.

So the end of the first day at Conference. Tomorrow we will be discussing First Aid in Schools Welfare Reform, Crime Reduction & Child Abuse, another full day of making decisions about our party’s policy. I also hope to take in fringes events from the Green Lib Dems & Lib Dem Friends of Israel as well as exploring the stalls & exhibits in the Conference Exhibition You can follow the events in the main hall of Conference live here