Conference Daily Monday 16 September Autumn Conference Brighton 2024 PLAINTEXT Information from the Federal Conference Committee (FCC) for Monday 16 September and report back for Sunday 15 September. Please read in conjunction with the Conference Agenda. Contents and Timetable Report back for Sunday 15 September 2 Directory update – Training and Skills 2 Timetable for Monday 16 September 09.00–09.45 F29 Policy motion: Fair Votes Now 3 09.45–11.05 F30 Consultative session: General Election Review 11.05–11.20 F31 Speech: Daisy Cooper MP Lunch break and fringe 14.10–14.55 F32 Emergency motion: Israel–Gaza Conflict 5 14.55–15.40 F33 Policy motion: Tackling the Prisons Crisis 9 15.40–15.55 F34 Speech: Jane Dodds MS 15.55–16.40 F35 Policy Motion: International Development – Restoring the UK’s Role 10 16.40–17.20 F36 Policy motion: A Fair Deal for Musicians 10 17.20–18.00 F37 Policy motion: Reversing Cuts to Bereavement Support Payments and Supporting Kinship Carers 12 If no page number is indicated, there are no changes or additional information to the information in the Conference Agenda. Report back for Sunday 15 September F16 Policy motion: National Nature Parks Passed (Amendments One and Two passed) F17 Policy motion: Our Plan to Save The NHS Passed (Amendments One and Two passed) F22 Business motion: Membership Subscription and Federal Levy Passed F23 Report: Federal Board Approved Appointment of Rebecca Williams to the FAP Approved F24 Report: Campaign for Gender Balance Approved F25 Report: Federal Communications and Elections Committee Approved F26 Report: Federal International Relations Committee Approved F27 Report: Federal Council Approved F28 Report: Federal Appeals Panel Approved For the text of motions and amendments, please refer to the Autumn 2024 Conference Agenda and Conference Daily for Sunday 15 September. DIRECTORY UPDATE Training and Skills Monday afternoon 14.30–15.45 Facebook Advertising Learn how to get the most out of Facebook advertising and all the tips and tricks you need to run great campaigns. This training event will now be held in the Grand Brighton, Alexandra Room. Training and Skills Monday late afternoon 16.15–17:30 Introduction to Targeted Email Meet Targeted Email – the party’s bulk email tool, in Connect. Learn how to send your first targeted email and all the tips and tricks you need to run great email marketing campaigns. This training event will now be held in the Grand Brighton, Alexandra Room. Monday 16 September F29 Fair Votes Now Chair: Baroness Doocey. Amendment One 19 members Mover: George Cunningham. Summation: Caroline Voaden MP. After v) (line 14), insert: vi) That despite around 3.5 million Britons resident overseas being entitled to register to vote, only around 200,000 are estimated to have done so, roughly the same as in 2019, despite a huge increase in the numbers eligible following the abolition of the 15-year rule. After d) (line 39), insert: e) British citizens overseas maintain an active and committed interest in UK events, and that fostering a higher involvement of those citizens in elections would play an important role in maintaining links with the ever-growing British diaspora. In 5. (line 55), after ‘Commission’ insert ‘and by providing adequate budget for effective communications to electors, both within the UK and overseas’. After 6. (line 56), insert: 7. To avoid delay in international delivery of postal ballots, to enable electronic delivery of ballot papers to those who request them, to allow voting in person at all British Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates as well as to publicise proxy voting as an alternative to postal voting. Amendment Two Enfield Mover: Matt McLaren. Summation: Rob Wilson. After e) (line 42), insert: f) The Liberal Democrats have always produced strong local champions who prove by their example the value of a strong, hardworking local MP to constituents. g) The existence of local constituencies has been a popular and integral feature of British democracy since the 19th century, and our mission to reform the electoral system must take account of this. h) The use of different forms of the Additional Member System (AMS) in Scotland, Wales and Greater London has proved successful for more than two decades now, and similar systems across Europe have ensured proportionality whilst maintaining a vital local constituency link for voters. i) The Jenkins Commission in 1998 proposed a form of the Additional Member System, known as the Alternative Vote Plus (AV+) for elections to the House of Commons, but the then Labour government failed to implement this recommendation. j) The Single Transferable Vote system, whilst useful in other contexts, requires the creation of constituencies which are far too large to maintain a “constituency link” for voters, creates undesirably lengthy delays in ascertaining election results which may damage post-election market confidence, and is only used by two countries for their primary legislative chamber of parliament (the Republic of Ireland and Malta). Delete 1. (lines 44–46) and insert: 1. Replace the first past the past system for UK General Elections, with a form of mixed-member proportional representation by the Alternative Vote Plus system (AV+), that will: a) Ensure that a fixed number not exceeding two-thirds of Members of the House of Commons are elected to represent geographical constituencies via the Alternative Vote (AV) system, maintaining a constituency link for all voters and ensuring all local MPs have received the support of at least half of their constituents. b) Provide stronger proportionality in the chamber by giving all voters the chance to vote on a separate regional list ballot, with a fixed number not exceeding one-third of Members of the House of Commons being elected in these regions on party lists via the D’Hont system. Background briefing: This motion updates and develops policy on electoral reform. It builds on existing policy as set out in the general election manifesto For a Fair Deal (2024), policy motion Restore Standards in Public Life (September 2023) and policy motion Political Reform to Tackle Sleaze (March 2022). F32 Emergency motion: The Israel-Gaza Conflict – an immediate bilateral ceasefire and securing two states Hall Aide: Cllr Shaffaq Mohammed. 10 members Mover: Layla Moran MP (Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs). Summation: Lord Purvis. Conference notes: I. The ongoing humanitarian devastation in Gaza, where now over 40,000 Palestinians are now estimated to have been killed and vast numbers have life changing injuries. II. That almost one year on from the deplorable 7 October terrorist attacks which killed over 1,100, many survivors are traumatised including by the use of sexual violence and there remains an ongoing hostage situation, with over 100 Israelis still held by Hamas. III. The clear risk of escalation across the region, with increased tensions in August 2024 raising concerns about a regional war, and increased violence in the West Bank in the context of ongoing trauma to the Palestinian people. IV. The role of Iran, which continues to destabilise the region including via its Revolutionary Guards, its supply of arms to its proxy terrorist groups Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, and the military responses which it threatens against Israel. V. Ongoing cases at the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, and the UK’s Government’s July 2024 decision to stop potential arrest warrants which the ICC might issue, including against Israeli PM Netanyahu and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. VI. The ICJ’s advisory opinion in July 2024 that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal. VII. The millions who have been displaced by this ongoing conflict since October 7, with almost 2 million displaced in Gaza, around 135,000 Israelis displaced from Northern and Southern Israel, and over 1,000 Palestinians fleeing their homes in the West Bank in the face of spiking settler violence. VIII. The conflict’s impact in the UK, and applauds the work done by NGOs, faith groups, local authorities and others to combat unacceptable race and hate crime including against Jews, Israelis, Muslims and Palestinians, and to bring people together rather than divide them in the face of community tensions. Conference believes that: A. Only a political and diplomatic solution, not a military one, will resolve this conflict, get Hamas out of power and deliver a lasting peace. B. A two-state solution is the only way to deliver the dignity and security which Palestinians and Israelis deserve. C. An immediate bilateral ceasefire is desperately needed, to resolve the humanitarian devastation in Gaza, get the hostages home and provide space to secure a two-state solution. Conference accordingly reaffirms: i) The Autumn 2021 Federal Conference motion F39, Towards a Lasting Peace. ii) The Liberal Democrats’ commitment to a two-state solution in which Israel and Palestine both exist with secure boundaries based on 1967 lines. Conference calls on the UK Government to: 1. Work to bring about an immediate bilateral ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict, including: a) Demanding the unconditional release of the remaining hostages. b) Pressing for more access for humanitarian aid and essential supplies into Gaza. c) Providing all necessary assistance, including aid, to UNRWA to alleviate the humanitarian crisis and ensure that the recommendations of the independent Colonna report are implemented as quickly as possible, thereby assuring that all work to support Palestinians in Gaza is of the highest possible standards and integrity. 2. Uphold the role of international law and international courts, including respecting in full the ICJ advisory opinion that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal and upholding its findings, and accordingly: a) Introduce legislation to cease trade with illegal Israeli settlements in occupied territories. b) Work to reduce heightened tensions in the West Bank, and accordingly including connected entities in the scope of sanctions against anyone in the settler movement that uses or incites violence, building on the work of the US and EU. c) Work to end the use of arbitrary administrative detention of Palestinians by the IDF. 3. Enacting a presumption of denial for arms exports to governments listed by the Foreign Office as human rights priorities, and therefore immediately suspending arms exports to Israel, in accordance with similar decisions taken by previous UK governments of all political parties. 4. Recognising the existential threat of Iran not just in the Middle East but to Western democracies, by: a) Proscribing Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps. b) Conducting an audit of UK-based assets owned by Iranian officials, in order to freeze those assets. 5. Press for a two-state solution, including by: a) Immediately recognising the state of Palestine. b) Working with the peace-builders in Israel and Palestine who call for two-states, to wrestle control away from the extremes. c) Working with the international community to identify future democratic leaders of Palestine, with a view to having swift elections in Palestine as soon as possible in the hope of uniting Gaza and the West Bank under one democratically elected voice. d) Investing in peace, such as via the International Fund for Middle East Peace, and using trade as a tool for peace, ensuring that Palestinians and Israelis benefit. Conference further calls on Liberal Democrats to engage with all their ALDE and Liberal International sister parties to secure a two state solution based on 1967 lines in the region, including Israel’s Yesh Atid party. Applicability: Federal. Mover: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes. Background briefing: This motion updates and creates new policy with regard to the current Israel-Gaza Conflict. It builds on existing policy as set out in the general election manifesto For a Fair Deal (2024). F33 Tackling the Prisons Crisis Mover: Josh Babarinde MP. Amendment One 10 members Mover: Baroness Lorely Burt. Summation: to be announced. After J. (line 50), insert: K. 2,852 people remain incarcerated under indeterminate Imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentences, a system the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture has called on the UK government to urgently review due to its lack of safeguards and higher rates of self-harm among IPP prisoners compared to the general prison population. After 7. (line 78), insert: 8. Set up an expert committee, in line with recommendations from the House of Commons Justice Committee, to advise on how to urgently bring forward a resentencing exercise for all IPP-sentenced individuals. Amendment Two LDCRE Mover: Dr Mohsin Khan. Summation: Janice Turner. After J. (line 50), insert: K. 33,700 prisoners in England and Wales in March 2023 were sharing cells; in 2024, 11,018 cells intended for single use were used by two inmates, and remand prisoners, who are not convicted, can also be made to share with other remand prisoners – involuntary cell sharing can pose mental and physical risks to prisoners as well as greater loss of dignity. In 6. (line 75), after ‘reoffending’ insert ‘and to actively reduce involuntary cell-sharing by prisoners, especially those on remand’. Amendment Three Manchester Mover: John Bridges. Summation: Chris Northwood. After 7. (line 78), insert: 8. To develop and expand restorative justice schemes as an effective alternative to short custodial sentences. There will be a separate vote on 5. (lines 71–72). Background briefing: This motion updates and develops policy on prisons, specifically with regard to prison overcrowding. It builds on existing policy as set out in the general election manifesto For a Fair Deal (2024) and policy paper 138, United Against Crime (September 2019). F35 International Development – Restoring the UK’s Role Background briefing: This motion updates and develops policy on international development. It builds on existing policy as set out in the general election manifesto For a Fair Deal (2024) and policy paper 157, Liberal Values in a Dangerous World (March 2024). F36 A Fair Deal for Musicians Aide: Fraser Graham. The FCC has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion: In i) c) (line 54), after ‘development’ insert ‘and ensure that any extra costs on local council planning departments are fully met’. In ii) (line 58), after ‘programme’ insert ‘and for government to provide extra funding to councils so they can fund the musical instruments and classes’. Amendment One 10 members Mover: Jess Brown-Fuller MP. Summation: to be announced. After VI. c) (line 21), insert: VII. The UK’s secondary ticketing market had an estimated £1bn annual worth in 2019, with ticket touts mass-buying tickets to sporting and cultural events and then selling them on at inflated prices. VIII. Half of Britons have been priced out of attending live music events in recent years with ticket prices being further inflated by both ‘surge pricing’ and higher transaction charges. After 2. c) (line 74), insert: 3. Protect fans from being exploited by ticket touts by implementing the Competition and Markets Authority’s recommendations to crack down on illegal ticket resale that include: a. Prohibiting platforms from allowing sellers to list more tickets for an event than the seller is able to legally procure from the primary market. b. Making platforms strictly liable for incorrect information about tickets listed on their websites. c. A requirement that all secondary ticketing sites acquire a licence to operate in the UK. 4. Introduce legislation to ban the use of ‘surge pricing’ by ticket platforms. 5. Review the use of transaction fees with the aim of placing a cap on the amount that can be added to ticket prices. There will be a separate vote on VI. b) (line 20) and 2. b) (line 73). Background briefing: This motion updates and creates new culture policy with regards to musicians. It builds on existing policy as set out in the general election manifesto For a Fair Deal (2024) and policy motion Rebuilding our Cultural, Artistic and Educational Ties with Europe (September 2021). F37 Reversing Cuts to Bereavement Support Payments and Supporting Kinship Carers Amendment One Twickenham & Richmond Mover: Munira Wilson MP. Summation: Bobby Dean MP. Delete 6. b) (lines 55–56), and insert: b) Providing all kinship carers with a weekly allowance for each child they care for, equivalent to the national minimum weekly allowance for foster carers. After 6. b) (line 56), insert: c) Giving kinship carers the right to paid employment leave when taking on care of a child. Background briefing: This motion updates and develops policy on kinship carers, as well as creating new policy on bereavement support. It builds on existing policy as set out in the general election manifesto For a Fair Deal (2024) and policy paper 151, A More Caring Society (March 2023). Consultative session – General Election Review Chaired by Tim Farron MP. Monday 16 September 09.45–11.05. Brighton Centre, auditorium.      See Conference Agenda for more information. Spokespeople Q&A – Education Monday 16 September 14.30–15.30 With Munira Wilson MP. Chair: Cllr Hannah Kitching. The Brighton Centre, Meeting Room 1D Party members may submit questions using the Q&As online form at: www.libdems.org.uk/conference/submissions Left luggage There is no left luggage facility and large bags will not be permitted in the conference venues. Please leave any bags at the hotel where you are staying.