Conference Agenda. Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference 17th - 22nd September 2005 Blackpool. The REAL alternative

Transcription

1 Conference Agenda Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference 17th - 22nd September 2005 Blackpool The REAL alternative

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3 Contents Procedural information 2-4 Sunday 18th September Consultative Sessions 5 F1 Report of the FCC 6 F2 Standing Order Amendments 6 F3 Report of the FPC 7 F4 Tax Credits 8 F5 Speech by Steve Webb MP 9 F6 Equal Pay Audits 9 F7 Federal Executive Report 10 F8 Appointment of Federal Appeals Panel F9 Report of the FFAC 11 F10 Membership Subscription and Federal Levy 11 F11 Report of the Gender Balance Task Force 12 F12 Campaign for Gender Balance 12 Monday 19th F13 Formal Opening of Federal Conference 14 F14 The Future for Europe 14 F15 Control of Small Arms 16 F16 Speech by Rt Hon Sir Menzies Campbell QC MP 17 F17 Review of Millennium Development Goals 17 F18 Speech by Simon Hughes MP 19 F19 Presentation of Newly Elected MPs 19 F20 Question & Answer with Charles Kennedy MP 19 F21 Speech by Seif Shariff Hamad 20 F22 NHS Dentistry 20 F23 Mental Health 21 F24 Urgent Issue 23 Tuesday 20th F25 Standards Board for England 24 F26 Closing the Funding Gap in Education 25 F27 Speech by Graham Watson MEP 26 F28 Saving the Post Office and Royal Mail 26 F29 Speech by Dr Vincent Cable MP 28 F30 School Discipline: School Communities and 28 Pastoral Care F31 Speech by Sarah Teather MP 29 F32 Emergency Motions 30 F33 Presentation by Scottish Liberal Democrat 30 Parliamentary Party F34 Meeting the Challenge Consultative Session 30 Printed on recycled paper Wednesday 21st F35 Reports of the Parliamentary Parties of the 31 Liberal Democrats F36 Urgent Issue 31 F37 Speech by Mark Oaten MP 31 F38 Ending Elective Dictatorship 32 F39 Road User Pricing 33 F40 Question and Answer Session on the 34 Environment F41 Tackling Carbon Emissions: A Strategy for 35 Clean and Sustainable Energy F42 Speech by Rt Hon Jim Wallace QC MSP 36 F43 Parliamentary Candidates 37 F44 Leadership Election Nominations 37 Thursday 22nd F45 Emergency Motions 39 F46 Anti-Social Behaviour 39 F47 Civil Liberties 41 F48 Presentation of Awards 43 F49 Speech by the Leader of the Liberal 43 Democrats, the Rt Hon Charles Kennedy MP Standing Orders Federal Party 51 See Conference Directory for Conference information, Fringe, Exhibition, Features Conference Directory and Agenda are available on tape and in large print. See page 3. Published by The Conference Office, Liberal Democrats, 4 Cowley Street, London, SW1P 3NB. Edited by Stuart Marritt. Design and layout by Mike Cooper, 25 Orchard Road, Sutton, SM1 2QA. Printed by Burlington Press, 1 Station Road, Foxton, CB2 6SW. Front cover photo: Blackpool Conference Centre Tourism Division. ISBN Sunday 18th Information Standing Orders Thursday 22nd Wednesday 21st Tuesday 20th Monday 19th

4 Information Procedural information Please ensure that you read carefully the Conference information starting on page 66 of the Conference Directory, which includes registration and security information. Deadlines Amendments, emergency motions, appeals and questions to reports should be sent to the Policy Unit, preferably by to or by fax to or post to 4 Cowley Street, London SW1P 3NB. A standard form is included with this Final Agenda; if faxing or posting, please use this or a photocopy. Amendments to motions / emergency motions / questions to reports / appeals The deadline for: amendments to motions F4, F6, F10, F12, F14, F15, F17, F22, F23, F25, F26, F28, F30, F38, F39, F41, F46 and F47; emergency motions; questions to reports; appeals is noon Wednesday 14th September. Emergency motions may be the subject of priority ballots among representatives. Ballot papers and the ballot box will be available at the Information Desk. The poll will be held, if necessary, between and on Monday 19th September. Procedure for submission Appeals against non-acceptance of motions should: a) be typed clearly on one side of an A4 sheet; b) give a contact name and telephone number; c) include a copy of the original motion to which they relate; and d) specify the justification for the appeal and provide new information of which the Conference Committee was unaware when it made its original decision. Questions to reports may be submitted by any voting Representative. Amendments, emergency motions and appeals must be signed by 10 voting representatives, or submitted by Local Parties, State Parties, Regional Parties in England, Federal Specified Associated Organisations or Federal Party Committees. All items accepted for debate will be detailed in Sunday s Advance Notice sheet. Applicability of motions All motions are Federal in application unless otherwise stated. Urgent Issues The Conference Committee has decided to pilot a new type of agenda item known as an Urgent Issue. Two slots at F24 and F36 have been reserved for discussion of an important current political issue. The topic for the discussion will therefore only be selected in the week before Conference, and notified through the Advance Notice and Daily Announcements. Unlike other debates at Conference, this discussion will not make new party policy, but is intended to allow conference representatives and spokespeople an opportunity to discuss and comment on a political issue live at the time of Conference. Suggestions for issues may be submitted by any conference representative, and should be ed to urgent.issues@libdems.org.uk by noon on Friday 9 September. The title of the issue should be no more than ten words long, and should not include an expression of opinion. For example, The Chaos on the Railways would be acceptable, The Chaos on the Railways can be solved by Renationalisation would not. s should also include full contact details of the submitter, and may include up to 100 words of explanatory background. The person submitting an issue chosen for one of these slots will be expected to speak for five minutes to introduce the discussion. The relevant 2 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005

5 Parliamentary spokesperson will be invited to respond. At the end of the debate, a member of the FPC will sum up the main points and suggest any further actions. Advance Notice and Daily Announcements An Advance Notice sheet will be published on Sunday. This will contain amendments to motions, urgent issues, emergency motions for debate or the ballot and questions to reports selected by the Conference Committee. A Daily Announcements sheet will be published each day Monday-Thursday and will be available at the start of the morning session from the information desk. It will include last-minute changes to the order of business, movers, emergency motions etc. Services for the blind and visually impaired Copies of the Conference Agenda and Directory and Consultation Papers will be available from RNIB on tape and large print from 7th September. Contact Donna Gordon at RNIB: PDF files of the Agenda, Directory and Consultation Papers are available from the Conference Office: stuart.marritt@libdems.org.uk. Speaking at conference Information Please make sure you collect your Advance Notice sheet and Daily Announcements sheet as the information they contain will always be vital to understanding the day s business. Venue Auditorium The main conference sessions will take place in the auditorium of the Winter Gardens and attendees must ensure they are wearing their badges everywhere within the Conference Centre. Certain areas within the auditorium will be reserved for guests and observers. Smoking is not permitted in the auditorium. Platform seating Except for the opening ceremony of the conference (Monday morning), the President s and the Leader s speech, any representative at the conference may sit on the platform, subject to space availability. If you wish to sit on the platform you should approach the Platform Steward at the Stewards Table before the beginning of the session and he / she will show you where to sit. Only four categories of people are entitled to speak in a debate at conference: Voting representatives (or substitutes) who have paid their full registration fee for the conference (i.e. not day visitors). Non-voting representatives who have paid their full registration fee for the conference (i.e. not day visitors). Persons who are ex-officio representatives (e.g. Parliamentary Spokespersons). Persons who have been given permission to speak by the Conference Committee. No other person may be called to speak in debates. In exceptional circumstances (such as the possession of particular expertise that would not otherwise be represented in the debate), people who are not either voting or non-voting representatives may be authorised to submit a speaker s card by the Conference Committee, but they must apply to the Conference Committee at least 48 hours in advance. Anyone who is entitled and wishes to speak must complete a speaker s card to speak in the debate. Cards can be obtained from the Steward overseeing the block of seats in which you are sitting or from the 3

6 Information Information Information desk from Saturday afternoon. It is important that you supply all the information requested on the card and make sure that you complete all the sections legibly. Please hand the completed card to a steward in the auditorium before the beginning of the morning or afternoon in which the relevant debate occurs. If this is not possible, please hand it in well in advance of the debate. Lengths of speeches Lengths of speeches for each debate are published alongside each motion. These times may be changed by the conference on a motion put by the Conference Committee or by the Chair of the session (Standing Order 9.7). The speaker s rostrum has three lights. The green light is switched on at the beginning of the speech. The amber light is switched on 60 seconds before the end of the speech. The red light is switched on when all the time is used up, and speeches must stop immediately. Duplicate lights will be visible to the audience on either side of the stage. Interventions Want to make the most out of conference? There will be interventions during debates F22 and F28. This procedure offers representatives the opportunity to make concise (one-minute) speeches from the floor during the debate on the motion. Eligibility to make an intervention is exactly the same as for those wishing to make a speech. There are two microphones in the body of the auditorium facing the platform. Those wishing to speak during interventions should take their place in the designated seats and complete the form handed to them by the Steward overseeing those seats. Three lights will be visible on either side of the platform: the green light is switched on at the start of the intervention; the amber light will show 20 seconds before the end of the intervention; the red light will be switched on at the end of one minute and the intervention must stop immediately. Any questions? If you have a query during the conference, please contact the information desk, members of the Conference Team or Conference Committee. Come along to the new Federal Conference Committee (FCC) training sessions, open to all party members: Introduction to conference Your first conference? Come along and find out more about how conference works and what will be going on this week. Sunday, 1:00-2:00pm, Opera House Foyer Bar Annex, Winter Gardens. Speaking at conference Tips on writing and delivering a speech and the opportunity to practice your speech on the conference platform. Monday, 9:00-10:00am, Main Auditorium, Winter Gardens. Policy Writing for conference Tips on how to write better policy motions for Federal Conference and improve the chances of your motion appearing on the next Conference agenda. Wednesday 9:00-10:00am, Opera House Foyer Bar Annex, Winter Gardens. These training courses are open to all party members. If you are not a registered conference representative, you will need to obtain a free pass from the registration area in the Winter Gardens. Plus throughout the week FCC members will be giving advice on filling out speaker cards and answering your questions: daily drop in session 2:30-3:30pm, Internet Café, Winter Gardens. 4 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005

7 Sunday 18th Consultative Sessions Consultative sessions provide a less formal mechanism than the full-scale Conference debates for Conference representatives and other Party members to participate in the Party s policy- and decision-making process. Each session examines a particular topic and hears contributions from Party members and in some cases outside speakers. The session will be organised by the relevant Policy Working Group. The conclusions of the sessions will be taken into account by the groups when drawing up their final policy papers. In addition, at this post-election conference, there will be a special General Election debrief session, to give Party members an opportunity to feed back their comments on the party s campaign. Sunday 18th General Election Debrief Baronial Hall Lord Razzall Winter Gardens Children and Families Opera House Foyer Bar Patrick Short Winter Gardens Rapporteur: Marianne Sladowsky Tax Baronial Hall Mike Williams Winter Gardens Rapporteur: Christian Moon Devolution and Local Governance Renaissance Room Judith Jolly Winter Gardens Rapporteur: Dr Jonathan Wallace Note: there will also be a consultation session for the Meeting the Challenge Working Group at on Tuesday 20th September in the main auditorium. Please see page 30 of this Agenda. 5

8 Sunday 18th Party Business Libby Calton Cllr Jon Ball Sunday 18th F1 F2 Report of the Federal Conference Committee Mover: Duncan Brack (Chair, Federal Conference Committee) Standing Order Amendments Federal Conference Committee Mover: Duncan Brack (Chair, Federal Conference Committee) Summation: Duncan Brack (Chair, Federal Conference Committee) In the Glossary of terms: In the introduction, delete: This glossary is not formally part of the standing orders but should be read in conjunction with them. It is included to help representatives interpret them. Under Standing Orders Amendment Delete: A proposal to change the rules by which motions are submitted, selected or debated and insert: A proposal to change these standing orders. Under Secondary Standing Order Amendment At end, add: This must not introduce new material. Under Topical Motion Before Final Agenda : insert: Preliminary or. UnderTopical Motion At end, add: Topical Motions (except for those announced in the Final Agenda but not published until the meeting of the conference) may have amendments submitted to them in the same way as policy or business motions. Any such amendment should be of significant importance, should be within the scope of the original motion and must not be a direct negative. In 1.1 What is on the agenda: In 1.1 (c) delete: (at autumn conference only). In 1.5 Deadlines: In 1.5 (d) delete: (autumn conference only). In 4.4 Topical Motions: In title, delete: (autumn conference). Delete: a specified date and insert: the dates for the submission of topical motions and emergency motions, respectively, as specified in Standing Order Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005

9 Sunday 18th F3 In 8.1 Who Chairs Conference: In the first line, after: shall, insert: normally. In 9.4 Who may speak: Delete: on the proposal of the President. In 9.5 The special rights of the Federal Committees: Delete: in a particular debate and insert: in a debate on a policy motion or on motions relating to the policy-making processes of the Party. In 9.7 The length of speeches: Delete: The Committee or the chair may propose to conference a change in these limits. If a vote is requested it shall be taken immediately without speeches and the change shall take effect if approved by a majority of those voting. No count shall be taken on such a vote, the chair s decision being final. In 12.2 Reference back (moved by a representative): In (d), after first sentence, insert: If it is carried the current agenda item shall be abandoned without any further debate or vote and, at the discretion of the chair, either the next agenda item shall be taken or there shall be an adjournment until the time at which the next agenda item was due to be taken. Re-letter remaining part of para as 12.2(e). In 12.3 Reference back (moved by the Federal Policy Committee): In (c), after first sentence, insert: If it is carried the current agenda item shall be abandoned without any further debate or vote and, at the discretion of the chair, either the next agenda item shall be taken or there shall be an adjournment until the time at which the next agenda item was due to be taken. Re-letter remaining part of para as 12.3(d). In 12.6 Suspension of standing orders: In (a), insert at end: The chair may either take the request immediately upon receipt, or at the end of the speech currently being made. Mover of motion: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes. Note: the existing text of Standing Orders is given at pages of this Agenda. A Standing Order Amendment requires a two-thirds majority to pass. Report of the Federal Policy Committee Sunday 18th Mover: Geoff Payne (Vice Chair, Federal Policy Committee) 7

10 Sunday 18th Policy Motion Qassim Afzal Cllr Sarah Boad Sunday 18th F4 Tax Credits 10 Conference Representatives Mover: David Laws MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions) Summation: Danny Alexander MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Work and Pensions) Conference deplores the chaos in the operation of the tax credits system since 2003, which has led to 1.9 million overpayments affecting 2 million families, who have had to endure financial instability and poverty as a result of being forced to pay money back to the Inland Revenue; and notes that the administrative crisis in the Inland Revenue has led to almost 65 million award notices being sent out in just over 2 years and award error rates of over 20%. Conference welcomes the reports into tax credit problems produced this year by the Parliamentary Ombudsman, the Adjudicator, the Citizen s Advice Bureau, and the Child Poverty Action Group, which highlight these problems and set out possible solutions. Conference calls for a fundamental reform of the existing tax credit system to provide more security and stability for all families who receive the benefit, particularly those on low incomes. Conference specifically proposes that: 1. There should be a statutory right of independent appeal for recovery of over-payments. 2. Tax credit overpayments due to official error must not be recovered unless people could reasonably have been expected to be aware of the overpayments, and no recovery of overpayments due to official error should take place without prior investigation as to whether these conditions have been met. 3. Tax credit overpayments due to official error for 2003/04 and 2004/05 should be written off, as recommended by the Ombudsman. 4. Tax credit award notices and administration must be urgently improved and simplified. 5. An assessment should be made urgently of the case for returning to a system of fixed tax credit awards. Applicability: Federal. Note: the deadline for amendments to this motion is 12.00, Wednesday 14 September, to the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrat HQ (see page 2). Those selected for debate will be printed in Sunday s Advance Notice Sheet. 8 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005

11 Sunday 18th Requests for separate votes may be submitted in writing by voting representatives to the Chair of the debate at any time up to the commencement of closing speeches, but they will have a much higher chance of being accepted if they are submitted by noon, Wednesday 14th September; to the Policy Unit, as above. Mover of motion: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes Party Business Debra Storr Cllr Gareth Epps Sunday 18th F5 Speech by Steve Webb MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Health Policy Motion Cec Tallack Andrew Wiseman (Vice Chair, Federal Conference Committee) F6 Equal Pay Audits Women Liberal Democrats Mover: Sandra Gidley MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Women) Summation: Susan Kramer MP Conference notes government figures showing that: a) It is estimated that on average British female employees are paid between 18% and 24% less than their male counterparts. b) The gender pay gap affects women working in all employment sectors in the UK. c) Women civil servants now earn 25% less than their male counterparts. d) The gender pay gap in the civil service is now increasing, rather than decreasing. 2. Conference notes that the gender pay gap: a) Restricts economic productivity. b) Limits the ability of female workers to achieve their potential. c) Undermines staff motivation and retention. d) Contributes to women receiving lower pensions than men, and the fact that two thirds of pensioners living in poverty are women. 3. Conference believes that: a) Equal pay audits are a successful way of exposing underlying bias in the way organisations value female employees b) The Liberal Democrat policy of introducing a Voluntary Code of Practice Against Inadvertent Discrimination (VCPAID) in the workplace would be a major step forward in tackling pay discrimination. 9

12 Sunday 18th Sunday 18th Conference therefore calls on the Government to: a) Introduce a VCPAID as a matter of urgency. b) Encourage all employers to undertake equal pay audits. c) Oblige all employers to promote pay transparency by publishing internally pay scales for employees. d) Set an example by eliminating the gender pay gap in the public sector. Applicability: Federal. Note: the deadline for amendments to this motion is 12.00, Wednesday 14 September, to the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrat HQ (see page 2). Those selected for debate will be printed in Sunday s Advance Notice Sheet. Requests for separate votes may be submitted in writing by voting representatives to the Chair of the debate at any time up to the commencement of closing speeches, but they will have a much higher chance of being accepted if they are submitted by noon, Wednesday 14th September; to the Policy Unit, as above. Mover of motion: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes Party Business Cllr Gareth Epps Sue Garden F7 Federal Executive Report Mover: Simon Hughes MP (President of the Liberal Democrats) F8 Appointment of Federal Appeals Panel Mover: Simon Hughes MP (President of the Liberal Democrats) Conference is asked to reappoint the following members of the Panel for a second five-year term of office: a) Viv Bingham. b) Susan Fenwick. c) Philip Goldenberg. d) Celia Goodhart. e) Stan Hardy. Conference is asked to appoint the following new members to the Panel for a five-year term of office: 1. Mark Soady, a former Chair of the Welsh Appeals Panel and registered Deputy Campaigns Officer for Wales. 10 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005

13 Sunday 18th Paul Carter, formerly Chair of the North West Region s Standards and Practice committee. 3. David Ive, a long-standing member of the Association of Liberal Democrat Lawyers. 4. Kishwer Falkner, Lords Spokesperson on Home Affairs and former Parliamentary Candidate for Kensington and Chelsea. Under Article 14.1 (a) of the Federal Constitution, members of the Federal Appeals Panel are elected by the Federal Executive, subject to confirmation by Conference. There will therefore be separate votes on each nominee. Mover of motion: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes. Sunday 18th Harriet Smith (Vice Chair, Federal Conference Committee) Jane Smithard F9 Report of the Federal Finance and Administration Committee Mover: David Griffiths (Chair, Federal Finance and Administration Committee) F10 Membership Subscription and Federal Levy Federal Executive Mover: Stan Collins (Chair, English Liberal Democrats) Summation: David Griffiths (Chair, Federal Finance and Administration Committee) Conference notes that: a) The current minimum membership subscription of 5 set by the Federal Party is substantially lower than that of any other UK political party. b) The Scottish Party has successfully had a minimum subscription of 12 for three years. Conference resolves that: A B Membership Subscription 1. The recommended subscription rate for 2006 shall be The minimum subscription shall be 12 except for members joining through the Youth and Student SAO, where the minimum subscription shall be State parties shall be free to increase either the minimum or recommended subscription through their democratic processes, which shall then be the Federal subscription in that State, excluding LDYS members as set out in paragraph two. Federal Levy 1. The Federal Levy on new members shall be 0% and the Federal Levy on renewal subscriptions shall be 42% for the year

14 Sunday 18th Applicability: Federal. Note: the deadline for amendments to this motion is 12.00, Wednesday 14 September, to the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrat HQ (see page 2). Those selected for debate will be printed in Sunday s Advance Notice Sheet. Sunday 18th Requests for separate votes may be submitted in writing by voting representatives to the Chair of the debate at any time up to the commencement of closing speeches, but they will have a much higher chance of being accepted if they are submitted by noon, Wednesday 14th September; to the Policy Unit, as above. Mover of motion: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes. Ruth Polling Duncan Brack (Chair, Federal Conference Committee) F11 Report of the Gender Balance Task Force Mover: Baroness Harris of Richmond (Chair of the Gender Balance Task Force) F12 Campaign for Gender Balance 15 Conference Representatives Mover: Jo Swinson MP Summation: Ros Harper Conference welcomes the election of seven new Liberal Democrat women MPs since the 2001 General Election, increasing the proportion of female MPs in the Parliamentary Party from 9.6% in 2001 to 16.4% in 2005; 33% of new Liberal Democrat MPs are women. Conference notes that: i) The Gender Balance Task Force has had a significant effect in improving the number of women PPCs and the proportion of our new MPs that are women. ii) Despite the increased proportion of women candidates, only 25% of non-incumbent candidates, and 23% of candidates overall in the 2005 General Election, were women. Conference believes: a) That this under-representation is unhealthy for democracy, projects a predominantly male image which deters women and suggests that the Party is failing to make the best use of all available skills and abilities. b) It is the responsibility of the Party and individuals at all levels to ensure that the situation is improved. c) The approach of training, mentoring and support developed by the Gender Balance Task Force (now known as the Campaign for Gender Balance) has proven to be the best hope for tackling the problem of gender imbalance in the long term, but it needs continued long-term support and greater resources to ensure that progress continues to be made. 12 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005

15 Sunday 18th Conference calls for: 1. The Party to work towards a long-term goal of gender balance at all levels of representative government in the UK. 2. The Party to set a target of at least 40% of its new MPs and at least 25% of its total MPs to be women after the next General Election. 3. The Party to set a target of at least 150 additional approved women candidates by the next General Election. 4. The Federal Executive to ensure that the Campaign for Gender Balance is adequately funded in order to carry out its function in finding, training and developing female candidates. 5 The Campaign for Gender Balance to continue to report back to every Federal Conference and every meeting of the Federal Executive on progress until this goal has been reached. Applicability: Federal. Note: the deadline for amendments to this motion is 12.00, Wednesday 14 September, to the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrat HQ (see page 2). Those selected for debate will be printed in Sunday s Advance Notice Sheet. Requests for separate votes may be submitted in writing by voting representatives to the Chair of the debate at any time up to the commencement of closing speeches, but they will have a much higher chance of being accepted if they are submitted by noon, Wednesday 14th September; to the Policy Unit, as above. Mover of motion: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes. Sunday 18th Close of Session 13

16 Monday 19th Formal Opening of Fedral Conference Simon Hughes MP (President of the Liberal Democrats) Debra Storr F13 The Worshipful the Mayor of Blackpool, Councillor Mr Philip Dunne Reply by Lord McNally Policy Motion Baroness Barker Geoff Payne Monday 19th F The Future for Europe Federal Policy Committee Mover: Nick Clegg MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Europe) Summation: Dr Vincent Cable MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer) Conference notes: i) That the EU has been instrumental in promoting peace, stability, democracy and human rights across Europe; has strengthened the security of the UK and is central to the UK s economic prosperity. ii) The French and Dutch No votes on the European constitution and the UK Government s subsequent decision to suspend the introduction of the EU Referendum bill. iii) The hostility in a number of EU member states to further enlargement and to the reforms iv) necessary to meet the challenge of globalisation. The failure of the EU Heads of Government at the European Council in June to reach an agreement on the Union s future budget and on the way forward for the EU. v) The enormous benefits of EU enlargement, including entrenching democracy in countries that were once dictatorships, and bringing prosperity to previously poor regions. Conference believes that: a) The constitution was an attempt at making the EU more accountable, efficient and transparent and that the challenges facing the EU in making decisions with a much expanded membership still remain. b) Positive improvements suggested in the constitution that do not require changes to the EU treaties, including making the legislative proceedings of the Council of Ministers public, should be enacted as soon as possible with the agreement of the EU Heads of Government. c) Any proposals which involve significant change in the relationship between the Union, the member states and its citizens should be approved in Britain through a referendum. d) The EU Heads of Government need to re-establish public confidence and trust in the EU if they are to gain the support of European citizens for the reforms that are necessary for the EU to work effectively. 14 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005

17 Monday 19th e) The emphasis on continued far-reaching reform of the Common Agricultural Policy as a centre-piece of the EU reform agenda is welcome, but the absence of any detailed proposals on CAP reform by the British government is regrettable. Conference therefore calls for: 1. National governments to rebuild the case for Europe, as a context for the debate about the EU s constitutional future. 2. Confirmation from EU Heads of Government that the EU will fulfil its current commitments to enlarge its membership to applicant nations that are able to demonstrate an absolute commitment to EU values and the administrative capacity to implement EU law. 3. Maintenance of the cap of 1% on the budget until radical reforms in the budget have been achieved. 4. The British Government to initiate effective negotiations for reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, coupled with review of the system of EU financing of which the UK rebate is a part. 5. The deepening of the EU single market and in particular the creation of a single market in services. 6. Strengthened action on anti-terrorism and law enforcement and common asylum and immigration policies but with democratic and transparent decision-making procedures and respect for human rights. 7. Stronger application of the EU s subsidiarity principle so that decisions are made by national governments or parliaments or at the most local effective level; this should include decentralisation of fisheries management. 8. Urgent steps to be taken by the Prime Minister and pro-europeans in both the private sector and public life to engage the British public in a positive debate about the UK s place in the European Union. 9. The Liberal Democrats to promote a reformed EU that is decentralised, transparent and accountable and which protects human rights, civil liberties and the rule of law. Applicability: Federal. Note: the deadline for amendments to this motion is 12.00, Wednesday 14 September, to the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrat HQ (see page 2). Those selected for debate will be printed in Sunday s Advance Notice Sheet. Requests for separate votes may be submitted in writing by voting representatives to the Chair of the debate at any time up to the commencement of closing speeches, but they will have a much higher chance of being accepted if they are submitted by noon, Wednesday 14th September; to the Policy Unit, as above. Mover of motion: 7 minutes; all other speakers: 4 minutes. Monday 19th 15

18 Monday 19th Policy Motion Aide Cllr James Gurling Dee Doocey AM (London) F15 Control of Small Arms 12 Conference Representatives Mover: Cllr Gareth Epps Summation: To be announced Monday 19th Conference notes: i) The unregulated global proliferation of small arms and light weapons such as rifles, handguns, machine-guns and grenades. ii) iii) That the ready availability of such weapons in many developing countries contributes to instability and criminality; and exacerbates conflict and the abuse of human rights. That international pressure has grown to regulate and control the export, transport and sale of small arms and light weapons. Conference is dismayed by the lack of progress on the international regulation of the proliferation of such weapons. Conference therefore calls on the Government to: 1. Support and promote efforts to establish a legally-binding International Arms Trade Treaty to establish universal standards for the transfer of arms, based on international human rights and humanitarian law. 2. Fulfil its manifesto commitment to control UK arms brokers wherever they are located by strengthening the secondary legislation in the Export Control Act 2002 to include: a) Registration of UK arms brokers and shippers. b) A licensing requirement for arms deals brokered offshore or abroad by UK arms brokers. 3. Further strengthen the UK export control regime by introducing: a) Comprehensive controls on licensed production overseas. b) A system of prior parliamentary scrutiny of export licence applications. c) A rigorous and systematic programme of dual-use and end-use monitoring of UK arms exports. d) Controls to cover spare parts and other components of these weapons. Conference calls on the Government to fully support the work of this body in preventing exports that might breach nations international obligations and threaten human rights. 16 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005

19 Monday 19th Applicability: Federal. Note: the deadline for amendments to this motion is 12.00, Wednesday 14 September, to the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrat HQ (see page 2). Those selected for debate will be printed in Sunday s Advance Notice Sheet. Requests for separate votes may be submitted in writing by voting representatives to the Chair of the debate at any time up to the commencement of closing speeches, but they will have a much higher chance of being accepted if they are submitted by noon, Wednesday 14th September; to the Policy Unit, as above. Mover of motion: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes Party Business F16 Sue Garden Harriet Smith (Vice Chair, Federal Conference Committee) Speech by Rt Hon Sir Menzies Campbell QC MP, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Shadow Foreign Secretary Monday 19th Lunch Policy Motion Jane Smithard Cllr Gareth Epps F17 Review of Millennium Development Goals St Ives Mover: Summation: Andrew George MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for International Development) Baroness Northover (Lords Spokesperson on International Development) Conference notes that 2005 marks the five-year review of the Millennium Development Goals which have been accepted as the framework for measuring progress towards a more prosperous, equitable and sustainable world. Conference welcomes the review and the efforts to make progress on the Millennium Development Goals. Conference further welcomes the promises made by the G8 leaders to improve the lives of many in the developing world through increasing aid and cancelling the debts of some of the poorest nations. Conference notes that significant progress must be made in a range of areas which are essential to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals including: i) Pressing for a fair and liberal outcome of the Doha round of trade negotiations. ii) Eliminating tariff and quota barriers for developing countries. 17

20 Monday 19th Monday 19th iii) Ensuring that developing countries are not forced to liberalise markets at a speed and to a degree which could impede their development. iv) Extending cancellation of multilateral debts to a greater number of the Highly Indebted Poor Countries than the 18 currently agreed. v) Untying all aid from reciprocal purchasing obligations and eliminating inappropriate economic conditionality from aid or debt relief. vi) Confronting climate change, which is already adversely affecting poor countries and could seriously undermine efforts to eliminate poverty in the long term. vii) Expanding access to primary education in the developing world and achieving a substantial reduction in the number of child labourers. viii) Providing substantial extra funding to combat HIV/AIDS, to achieve universal access to treatment by 2010, and to tackle the spread of TB and malaria. ix) Supporting the United Nations and regional organisations in the defence of human rights and democratic freedoms. x) Tackling unacceptably high levels of gender inequality. xi) Supporting the proposed International Arms Trade Treaty and halting the export of onward supply of weapons to states which could be used for the purpose of oppression, the abuse of human rights or any act in breach of international law. xii) Tackling corruption, including through international ratification and implementation of the UN Convention Against Corruption and OECD Convention on Bribery, improving financial and political transparency, and promoting accountability and good governance. xiii) Ensuring that multinational corporations based in G8 countries adhere to anticorruption rules and do not engage in trading practices which are harmful for growers, farmers and workers in developing countries. Conference believes that: a) Without major concerted action and additional financing there is no prospect of achieving the Millennium Development Goals by b) Poverty, security and human rights are connected and in a globalised world the best way to achieve peace, security and stable development is through active, sustained and concerted cooperation between states. c) In order to ensure real progress and to deliver the Millennium Development Goals the leaders of poorer countries should be fully involved in all negotiations. Conference therefore calls for the Government to seek to ensure: 1. That the Millennium Development Goals remain at the heart of the international agenda. 2. That the undertakings given by the G8 leaders in the Gleneagles communiqué are fulfilled. 3. That increases in aid constitute new funding, and are not drawn from existing aid budgets. 4. International financial institutions set much higher targets for the cancellation of multilateral debts owed by the poorest countries. 5. The elimination of all tied obligations and inappropriate economic conditionalities attached to aid or debt relief. 6. The allocation and delivery of overseas development aid by developed countries which is wholly untied and meets the UN target of 0.7% of gross national income. 7. That the EU achieves progress in eradicating all agricultural production supports and 18 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005

21 Monday 19th export subsidies. 8. The WTO makes progress, in particular at the December ministerial meeting in Hong Kong, towards the achievement of free and fair trading conditions for developing countries, including a clear date for the ending of export subsidies and tariff barriers. 9. That the international community through the UN provides the necessary support to the African Union to ensure it has the capacity to intervene effectively to contain civil war and achieve early conflict resolution wherever it occurs. 10) That full support is given to the reform of the United Nations and that it is provided with the resources it requires to tackle the abuse of human rights, conflict and the spread of HIV/AIDS. Applicability: Federal. Note: the deadline for amendments to this motion is 12.00, Wednesday 14 September, to the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrat HQ (see page 2). Those selected for debate will be printed in Sunday s Advance Notice Sheet. Requests for separate votes may be submitted in writing by voting representatives to the Chair of the debate at any time up to the commencement of closing speeches, but they will have a much higher chance of being accepted if they are submitted by noon, Wednesday 14th September; to the Policy Unit, as above. Monday 19th Mover of motion: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes Party Business Andrew Wiseman (Vice Chair, Federal Conference Committee) Cllr James Gurling F18 Speech by Simon Hughes MP, President of the Liberal Democrats Party Business Andrew Wiseman (Vice Chair, Federal Conference Committee) Cllr James Gurling F19 Presentation of Newly Elected MPs Party Business Simon Kelner (Editor of The Independent) Duncan Brack (Chair, Federal Conference Committee) F20 Question and Answer with Rt Hon Charles Kennedy MP Note: Conference representatives may submit concise questions (maximum 25 words) on Question Cards to the Speakers Table by on Monday 19th September. The Chair will select which questioners to call to ask their questions during the session. 19

22 Monday 19th Party Business Simon Hughes MP (President of the Liberal Democrats) Cllr Arnie Gibbons F21 Speech by Seif Shariff Hamad, Civic United Front Candidate for President of Zanzibar Policy Motion Cllr John Commons Jane Smithard Monday 19th F NHS Dentistry Ten Conference Representatives Mover: Julia Goldsworthy MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Minister) Summation: Steve Webb MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Health) Conference believes that everyone should have the right to access NHS dentistry. Conference notes that: i) Over half the population in England is not registered with an NHS dentist ii) iii) iv) The current crisis in NHS dentistry began in the early 1990s with the Conservative Government s decision to close two dental training schools and its cuts to dentists fees. Despite a pledge by Tony Blair in 1999 that everyone would have access to an NHS dentist, the Government has been slow to take action and many people are finding it very difficult to find a dentist accepting new patients. Patients calling NHS Direct are not always offered a nearby dentist, and may not be able to register with the dental practice they are told about; and the Government does not monitor whether patients calling NHS Direct receive accurate information. 12 v) Most dental problems are avoidable, and effective preventive work is therefore vital vi) The Government plans to increase the cost of check-up charges to 15 and charges for fillings to In order to improve access to NHS dentistry, Conference calls on the Government to: a) Work for a speedy introduction of the new dentist contract. b) Focus on encouraging NHS dentists to register more patients rather than the stickingplaster solution of emergency dental access centres. 20 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005

23 Monday 19th c) Require dentists to provide patients with clear information on treatment and charges for both NHS and private dentistry. Conference also calls for measures to prevent dental problems in the first place as the Liberal Democrats have delivered in government in Scotland, including: 1. Tackling smoking rates to reduce the incidence of gum disease, for example by banning smoking in enclosed public places. 2. Ending charges for dental check-ups, which deter people from going to the dentist. Applicability: England. Note: the deadline for amendments to this motion is 12.00, Wednesday 14 September, to the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrat HQ (see page 2). Those selected for debate will be printed in Sunday s Advance Notice Sheet. Requests for separate votes may be submitted in writing by voting representatives to the Chair of the debate at any time up to the commencement of closing speeches, but they will have a much higher chance of being accepted if they are submitted by noon, Wednesday 14th September; to the Policy Unit, as above. Monday 19th Mover of motion: 7 minutes; all other speakers; 4 minutes. In addition to speeches from the platform, it will be possible for Conference representatives to make concise (maximum one minute) interventions from the floor during the debate on the motion. The Chair will explain the procedure for making interventions at the beginning of the session Policy Motion Cllr Alan Sherwell Iain Smith MSP F23 Mental Health Oxford West & Abingdon and Sutton Mover: Cllr Jean Fooks Summation: Paul Burstow MP Conference notes with concern: A. The high incidence of mental illness, much of it unrecognised or inadequately treated, leading to an unnecessary waste of lives and talents and to social exclusion. B. The serious pressures on mental health services, leading to a lack of appropriate treatment for many people. C. That many people with mental health problems, who should be receiving psychiatric treatment in hospital or in the community, end up in prison. 21

24 Monday 19th Monday 19th D. The widespread stigmatisation of people with mental illnesses. Conference also notes the publication on 23rd March 2005 of the highly critical report by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the draft Mental Health Bill, and is concerned that the new draft Bill does not represent an improvement on the previous draft Bill published in 2002; in particular that the legislation as drafted may: i) Lead to the excessive use of compulsory treatment. ii) Be used inappropriately due to its extended definition of mental disorder. iii) Discourage people from seeking help at an early stage in their condition. iv) Reduce the ability of mental health services to make early interventions in a patient s case by diverting resources towards compulsory treatment. v) Damage relationships between service users and mental health professionals. vi) Place an intolerable strain on the Mental Health Tribunal System. Conference believes that proposals to treat differently individuals lacking in capacity to make decisions who are also subject to compulsory treatment under the Mental Health Act from other individuals with an impaired ability to make their own decisions under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (such as those suffering from dementia) is divisive, discriminatory, and stigmatising. Conference therefore calls on the Government to conduct an urgent investigation into improving services and outcomes for people with mental health problems, in particular how to: a) Increase the availability of psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses, improve GPs ability to identify and refer patients with mental illnesses and strengthen services for people living in the community. b) Improve access to mental health services at an early stage in an individual s illness rather than relying on compulsory treatment once an individual has reached breaking point. c) Strengthen recognition and support for carers and families, enabling carers to register their concerns in confidence to assist the professionals in diagnosis and treatment and involving them at the point of assessment unless the patient is expressly opposed to it. d) Improve court diversion schemes to keep mentally ill patients out of the criminal justice system and increase the ability of prison officers to recognise symptoms of mental illness. e) Ensure that employers occupational health policies and sickness absence policies address mental as well as physical health. f) Provide access to advocacy services for all patients receiving treatment for a mental disorder on the basis of need. Conference calls for reform of the Mental Health Act 1983 based on the principles of respect for personal and patient autonomy, and specifically to: 1. Ensure that compulsory powers are used only as a last resort and that restrictions on the freedom of individuals are kept to the minimum necessary to protect public safety. 2. Include a concept of capacity at the heart of any new mental health legislation, and for a definition of capacity, in the form of significantly impaired ability to make decisions, to be a condition for the use of compulsory treatment. 22 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005

25 Monday 19th Retain the existing provision in the 1983 Act, that no one can be compulsorily treated for a mental disorder by reason only of promiscuity or other immoral conduct, sexual deviancy or dependence on alcohol or drugs. 4. Ensure that individuals are not detained under the new mental health legislation unless they can be provided with therapeutic benefit. 5. Recognise that the need to incorporate risk management and public protection in mental health policy must never be allowed to predominate as the primary objective of reform. Applicability: England. Note: the deadline for amendments to this motion is 12.00, Wednesday 14 September, to the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrat HQ (see page 2). Those selected for debate will be printed in Sunday s Advance Notice Sheet. Requests for separate votes may be submitted in writing by voting representatives to the Chair of the debate at any time up to the commencement of closing speeches, but they will have a much higher chance of being accepted if they are submitted by noon, Wednesday 14th September; to the Policy Unit, as above. Monday 19th Mover of motion: 7 minutes; all other speakers; 4 minutes Party Business Duncan Brack (Chair, Federal Conference Committee) Jeremy Hargreaves (Vice Chair, Federal Policy Committee) F24 Urgent Issue This slot has been reserved for discussion of an important current political issue. The topic for the discussion will therefore only be selected in the week before Conference, and notified through the Advance Notice and Daily Announcements. Unlike other debates at Conference, this discussion will not make new party policy, but is intended to allow conference representatives and spokespeople an opportunity to discuss and comment on a political issue live at the time of Conference. Suggestions for issues may be submitted by any conference representative, and should be ed to urgent.issues@libdems.org.uk by noon on Friday 9 September. The title of the issue should be no more that ten words long, and should not include an expression of opinion. s should also include full contact details of the submitter, and may include up to 100 words of explanatory background. Introducer of issue and spokesperson s response: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes Close of Session 23

26 Tuesday 20th Policy Motion Geoff Payne Qassim Afzal F25 Standards Board for England Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors Mover: To be announced Summation: To be announced Tuesday 20th Conference notes: A. The widespread dissatisfaction with the Standards Board for England (SBE) from councillors of all political parties. B. The recommendation from Sir Alistair Graham, Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, that the SBE is fundamentally flawed and should have its role slashed. C. The admission from the Chair of the SBE, Sir Anthony Holland, that the legislation to set up the Board had been flawed. D. Arbitrary and pernicious decisions from the adjudication panels that have threatened the democratic relationship between electors and elected. E. That of the cases referred to the SBE since its creation, the vast majority were either not investigated, no breach of the code was found or no action was taken. Conference believes that: i) The overwhelming majority of elected councillors - of all political persuasions - are generally honest and acting in what they believe is in the best interests of their communities ii) The Standards Board in its current form is now more a vehicle for gaining political advantage rather than upholding high standards in public life Conference calls for: 1. The abolition of the Standards Board for England in its current form. 2. The creation of a revised body to regulate standards in public life with responsibility for the conduct of elected members and appointed members of public bodies. 3. The revised body to have powers to impose penalties not exceeding those applicable to elected members of the Assemblies in Northern Ireland, Wales, London, and Parliaments in Scotland and Westminster for comparable offences. 4. The creation of a revised code of conduct based on the following principles: a) Declaration of interests which may affect a member s decision-making. b) Open participation once those interests have been declared except in the cases of clear and direct prejudicial and pecuniary interests. Applicability: England. 24 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005

27 Tuesday 20th Note: the deadline for amendments to this motion is 12.00, Wednesday 14 September, to the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrat HQ (see page 2). Those selected for debate will be printed in Sunday s Advance Notice Sheet. Requests for separate votes may be submitted in writing by voting representatives to the Chair of the debate at any time up to the commencement of closing speeches, but they will have a much higher chance of being accepted if they are submitted by noon, Wednesday 14th September; to the Policy Unit, as above. Mover of motion: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes Policy Motion Debra Storr Jeremy Hargreaves F Closing the Funding Gap in Education Ten Representatives Mover: To be announced Summation: To be announced 1. Conference deplores the funding inequality in Further Education and the fact that FE is still regarded by the Government as a cut-price option, with the gap between payment to schools and colleges to fund similar post-16 courses being at least 10% and possibly up to 15%. 2. Conference also notes that with over half of post-16 students taught in FE colleges and with FE colleges the largest supplier of vocational qualifications, this funding gap has serious implications for the economy and society as a whole, contributing to: a) British productivity lagging behind its competitors, with lower skills levels contributing up to a fifth of the UK s productivity gap with Germany and France. b) Employers facing a pressing shortage of skilled workers, with 135,000 vacancies left unfilled last year and damaging skills gaps in their existing workforces. c) Less opportunity for young people to fulfil their potential and, especially, less opportunity for students from poorer backgrounds. 3. Conference therefore calls for the funding gap between colleges and schools to be closed over the lifetime of this Parliament, by levelling up funding for equivalent courses, wherever they are taught. Applicability: England. Note: the deadline for amendments to this motion is 12.00, Wednesday 14 September, to the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrat HQ (see page 2). Those selected for debate will be printed in Sunday s Advance Notice Sheet. Tuesday 20th 25

28 Tuesday 20th Requests for separate votes may be submitted in writing by voting representatives to the Chair of the debate at any time up to the commencement of closing speeches, but they will have a much higher chance of being accepted if they are submitted by noon, Wednesday 14th September; to the Policy Unit, as above. Mover of motion: 7 minutes; all other speakers: 4 minutes Party Business Lynne Featherstone MP Marie-Louise Rossi F27 Speech by Graham Watson MEP, Leader of the ALDE Group in the European Parliament Policy Motion Dee Doocey AM (London) Cllr Arnie Gibbons Tuesday 20th F28 Saving the Post Office and Royal Mail North Norfolk Mover: Summation: Norman Lamb MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Trade and Industry) To be announced Conference notes: i) The continuing programme of Post Office branch closures and the damaging effect this has on communities. ii) The ending of the Royal Mail s monopoly on mail delivery by the opening of the mail delivery market to full competition from January 2006, which was welcomed by Liberal Democrats when it was announced. iii) The need for Royal Mail to invest over 2 billion in automation and new equipment to keep the company competitive and to maintain the Universal Service Obligation under which mail is guaranteed delivery to any address in the country for the same price. iv) The tight centralised Treasury constraints on the Royal Mail, which requires the company to compete with schools and hospitals for investment. Conference believes that these challenges can be met by: a) Separating Post Office Limited from Royal Mail Group and retaining it in the public sector. b) Improving the service for customers with mail services through competition. c) Maintaining and protecting the Universal Service Obligation as a statutory requirement. d) Appointing a strong regulator to protect the interests of customers and to hold the 26 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005

29 Tuesday 20th company to account on behalf of the public interest. e) Ensuring Royal Mail has full commercial freedom to borrow to invest in new equipment and modernisation, and to develop new services without the interference and constraints of the Treasury. f) Changing the ownership of Royal Mail by ensuring a substantial holding is given to Royal Mail staff which would be placed in a trust, thereby making them partners in the company, in a similar manner to those working for the John Lewis Partnership. g) Allowing a substantial minority of shares in Royal Mail to be made available for purchase by small investors which could be bought through Post Office branches as well as other outlets. h) Allowing a minority of shares to be floated on the Stock Market or sold to another bidder. i) Ensuring Royal Mail staff have a full opportunity to participate in the running of the company as partners. j) Preventing any proceeds of the sale being taken by the Treasury by putting the capital raised into a fund for the benefit of the Post Office network. Conference believes that the Government s managed decline of the Post Office network is unacceptable and believes that a fund created from the sale of shares in Royal Mail should be used to reverse the decline. In particular, Conference calls for the fund to: 1. Invest in branches so that every Post Office, with the support of the sub-postmaster/ mistress, can offer the full range of services currently available only in some branches. 2. Support credit unions and other self help organisations, especially in low income areas, to help provide Post Office services. 3. Invest in opening new branches in communities currently without a Post Office. 4. Support financially the setting up of partnerships between Post Office Ltd, local councils, health authorities, police authorities and other governmental bodies to establish joint Post Office branches and one stop shops for service providers. Conference calls on Liberal Democrats to campaign against the Government s continued and gradual demolition of the Post Office network and welcomes the Party s calls for a revival of the service. Applicability: Federal. Note: the deadline for amendments to this motion is 12.00, Wednesday 14th September, to the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrat HQ (see page 2). Those selected for debate will be printed in Sunday s Advance Notice Sheet. Requests for separate votes may be submitted in writing by voting representatives to the Chair of the debate at any time up to the commencement of closing speeches, but they will have a much higher chance of being accepted if they are submitted by noon, Wednesday 14th September; to the Policy Unit, as above. Mover of motion: 7 minutes; all other speakers: 4 minutes. In addition to speeches from the platform, it will be possible for Conference representatives to make concise (maximum one minute) interventions from the floor during the debate on the motion. The Chair will explain the procedure for making interventions at the beginning of the session. Tuesday 20th 27

30 Tuesday 20th Party Business Jeremy Hargreaves Geoff Payne F29 Speech by Dr Vincent Cable MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Policy Motion Ben Rich Ruth Polling F30 School Discipline: School Communities and Pastoral Care Tuesday 20th Kingston Borough Mover: Edward Davey MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Education) Summation: Cllr Mary Reid Conference reaffirms existing Liberal Democrat policy on improving school discipline, with its emphasis on early intervention, coupled with effective measures to deal with the persistently disruptive, including: i) Smaller class sizes in primary schools, to give teachers more time with pupils. ii) An emphasis on strong leadership from headteachers, and more systematic training for all staff in behaviour management. iii) A reformed secondary curriculum, to widen choice and engage more students. iv) More effective support for children with special educational needs. v) The use of positive behaviour plans that encourage and reward good behaviour and involve parents. vi) Managed transfers to ensure temporary and permanent exclusions tackle the underlying causes of a pupil s poor behaviour and do not end up passing the problem on. vii) Immediate involvement of the police when a teacher is physically assaulted by pupils or parents. Conference notes that this policy is in line with the Ofsted report published in March 2005, which said that the key to good school discipline is good leadership, consistency and appropriate curriculum, not headline-grabbing draconian measures which misrepresent the good behaviour of the vast majority of pupils. Conference also believes that pupils must be involved more in taking responsibility for good behaviour, by building strong school communities and developing excellent pastoral care. While recognising that there cannot be a one-size-fits-all policy, Conference supports: a) More schools considering traditional House systems and tutor groups, to build communities within schools, especially across ages, and to encourage healthy competition, especially in sports. b) Larger secondary schools wishing to opt for a schools within schools model. 28 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005

31 Tuesday 20th c) More training for teachers leading on pastoral care roles, such as House Heads, Tutors or Year Heads, while opposing Government proposals to downgrade the pastoral role of teachers. d) Encouraging all schools to give pupils responsibility, and in particular to introduce peer support systems appropriate to the school s needs, from prefect systems to anti-bullying schemes such as befriending, mentoring and peer mediation. e) Encouraging closer working between primaries, secondaries and colleges, at the transition point, when pupils are moving to a new learning community. Conference further believes that policies for persistently disruptive pupils need to be more effective, to involve the parents earlier and to intervene earlier, especially in relation to truancy, and therefore supports: 1. The wider use of learning support units within schools, including primary schools, to tackle behaviour problems early. 2. Earlier use of parenting contracts by schools, to tackle low-level disruption and to involve the parents in taking responsibility before exclusion. 3. Community-wide cooperation for tackling truancy, involving parents, police, welfare officers and local traders, with measures such as truancy sweeps, home visits and a firstday response to truancy. 4. Best practice guidance on the use of voluntary parenting classes, family mediation schemes and compulsory parenting classes, where these are used as a last resort. 5. A multi-agency approach with children s services, housing providers, the police, NHS and the voluntary sector, combining their differing preventive strategies to ensure the early identification of children with mental health difficulties. Applicability: England. Note: the deadline for amendments to this motion is 12.00, Wednesday 14 September, to the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrat HQ (see page 2). Those selected for debate will be printed in Sunday s Advance Notice Sheet. Requests for separate votes may be submitted in writing by voting representatives to the Chair of the debate at any time up to the commencement of closing speeches, but they will have a much higher chance of being accepted if they are submitted by noon, Wednesday 14th September; to the Policy Unit, as above. Mover of motion: 7 minutes; all other speakers: 4 minutes. Tuesday 20th Party Business Ben Rich Ruth Polling F31 Speech by Sarah Teather MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Lunch 29

32 Tuesday 20th Policy Motion Sal Brinton Cllr James Gurling F32 Emergency Motions Note: the deadline for emergency motions is 12.00, Wednesday 14 September, to the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrat HQ (see page 2). Those selected for debate and/or proposed for the ballot will be printed in Sunday s Advance Notice sheet. Mover of motion: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes Party Business Harriet Smith (Vice Chair, Federal Conference Committee) James Gurling F33 Presentation by Scottish Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party Tuesday 20th Consultation Session Lord Wallace of Saltaire Duncan Brack (Chair, Federal Conference Committee) Rapporteurs: Victoria Greaves and Christian Moon F34 Meeting the Challenge Consultative sessions provide a less formal mechanism than the full-scale Conference debates for Conference representatives and other Party members to participate in the Party s policy- and decision-making process. The session will be organised by the Meeting the Challenge Working Group. Party members wishing to speak should submit a consultation card. The conclusions of the session will be taken into account by the group when drawing up their final report Close of Session 30 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005

33 Wednesday 21st Party Business Cllr James Gurling Cllr Sarah Boad F35 Reports of the Parliamentary Parties of the Liberal Democrats Movers: Andrew Stunell MP (Chief Whip, House of Commons) Lord Roper (Chief Whip, House of Lords) Bill Newton-Dunn (Chief Whip, European Parliament) Party Business Cllr Jon Ball Jeremy Hargreaves (Vice Chair, Federal Policy Committee) F36 Urgent Issue This slot has been reserved for discussion of an important current political issue. The topic for the discussion will therefore only be selected in the week before Conference, and notified through the Advance Notice and Daily Announcements. Unlike other debates at Conference, this discussion will not make new party policy, but is intended to allow conference representatives and spokespeople an opportunity to discuss and comment on a political issue live at the time of Conference. Suggestions for issues may be submitted by any conference representative, and should be ed to urgent.issues@libdems.org.uk by noon on Friday 9 September. The title of the issue should be no more that ten words long, and should not include an expression of opinion. s should also include full contact details of the submitter, and may include up to 100 words of explanatory background. Introducer of issue and spokesperson s response: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes Party Business Lynne Featherstone MP Qassim Afzal Wednesday 21st F37 Speech by Mark Oaten MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary 31

34 Wednesday 21st Policy Motion Sue Garden Duncan Brack (Chair, Federal Conference Committee) F38 Ending Elective Dictatorship 21 Conference Representatives Mover: Lord Goodhart (Liberal Democrat Shadow Lord Chancellor) Summation: Lord Maclennan of Rogart Wednesday 21st Conference believes that: a) Elective dictatorship the lack of proper checks on the power of a government with a working majority in the House of Commons is the most serious flaw in the British Constitution. b) This flaw is made worse by an electoral system which has given a working majority to a party which had the support of little more than one-third of the of the votes at the general election. c) Increasing disengagement of the public from Parliament and political activity can only be reversed by ensuring that votes are more effective. Conference is concerned that the present Government is threatening to reduce the effectiveness of the checks which do exist by curbing the power of the House of Lords and reducing the independences of the Civil Service. Conference therefore calls for: 1. Election of the members of the House of Commons by proportional representation. 2. A House of Lords, exercising powers similar to those it now exercises, but wholly or mainly elected by proportional representation, and with no hereditary element. 3. The major powers now exercisable by government under the Royal Prerogative, including the treaty-making process and the power to make war, to be derived from statute and subject to such conditions of Parliamentary scrutiny and control as are provided by law. 4. Legislation to prevent electoral fraud, particularly in postal or electronic voting. 5. A Civil Service Act to protect the independence and integrity of the Civil Service. 6. Restoration of the powers and capacity for local decision-making to local government. 7. Preliminary work on a draft written constitution for the United Kingdom, to be considered in due course by a Constitutional Convention. Applicability: Federal, except for 6 which is England-only. 32 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005

35 Note: the deadline for amendments to this motion is 12.00, Wednesday 14 September, to the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrat HQ (see page 2). Those selected for debate will be printed in Sunday s Advance Notice Sheet. Requests for separate votes may be submitted in writing by voting representatives to the Chair of the debate at any time up to the commencement of closing speeches, but they will have a much higher chance of being accepted if they are submitted by noon, Wednesday 14th September; to the Policy Unit, as above Lunch Mover of motion: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes Policy Motion Wednesday 21st Cllr Sarah Boad Dee Doocey AM (London) F39 Road User Pricing 16 Conference Representatives Mover: Tom Brake MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Transport) Summation: To be announced Conference recognises that: i) Traffic in England has grown by 11% since 1997 and is forecast to grow by as much as 25% between 2000 and ii) iii) The UK has the most congested roads in Europe, with congestion levels forecast to grow by between 11% and 20% over the next ten years, according to the Commission for Integrated Transport. Latest government figures show that greenhouse gas emissions from all forms of road transport increased 13% since 1990, with greenhouse gas emissions from road transport now constituting 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions compared with 14% in Wednesday 21st 10 iv) Congestion is a major expense to business and damages UK competitiveness v) The immediate pollution from congestion leads to increased incidence of illness amongst people living in affected communities. Conference notes that: a) Radical measures need to be introduced to reduce emissions and congestion. b) Conference notes that road user pricing, adopted in principle as Liberal Democrat policy at the conference of autumn 2004, is now being advocated and investigated by the British Government. 33

36 Wednesday 21st Conference supports Government plans to encourage smaller scale pilot schemes prior to the consideration of any UK-wide system Conference recalls that lorry road user charging has been Liberal Democrat policy since 2001, and condemns the Government for the announcement in July 2005 that they are abandoning this scheme. Conference supports moves towards a system of national road user pricing within the United Kingdom, provided that: 1. Vehicle excise duty and fuel duty will be scrapped on the introduction of the new system. 2. Road user pricing will not be used to collect more money for the government than vehicle excise duty and fuel duty combined. 3. Civil liberties will be safeguarded. 4. Foreign lorries will be included in the scheme. 5. Location, congestion and vehicle emissions will be taken into account in fixing for any particular journey the appropriate road user charge. Applicability: Federal. Note: the deadline for amendments to this motion is 12.00, Wednesday 14 September, to the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrat HQ (see page 2). Those selected for debate will be printed in Sunday s Advance Notice Sheet. Wednesday 21st Requests for separate votes may be submitted in writing by voting representatives to the Chair of the debate at any time up to the commencement of closing speeches, but they will have a much higher chance of being accepted if they are submitted by noon, Wednesday 14th September; to the Policy Unit, as above. Mover of motion: 7 minutes; all other speakers: 4 minutes Party Business Andrew Wiseman (Vice Chair, Federal Conference Committee) Cllr Jon Ball F40 Question and Answer Session on the Environment An opportunity to put questions on the environment and party policy to a panel of speakers, including: Norman Baker MP Dr Vincent Cable MP Sir Robert Smith MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment and Rural Affairs) (Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer) (Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Energy) 34 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005

37 Wednesday 21st Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer Chris Davies MEP Andrew Lee (Lords Environment Spokesperson) (Leader of the British Liberal Democrat European Parliamentary Party and Spokesperson on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee of the European Parliament) (Director of Policy, WWF) Note: Conference representatives may submit concise questions (maximum 25 words) on Question Cards to the Speakers Table by on Wednesday 21st September. The Chair will select which questioners to call to ask their questions during the session Policy Motion Cllr Arnie Gibbons Harriet Smith (Vice Chair, Federal Conference Committee) F41 Tackling Carbon Emissions: A Strategy for Clean and Sustainable Energy Federal Policy Committee Mover: Sir Robert Smith MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Energy) Summation: Norman Baker MP (Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment and Rural Affairs) Conference recognises that: a) Climate change is the greatest threat facing the planet. b) Greenhouse gas emissions are a global problem which can only be tackled effectively by international action, including by those countries not included in the first phase of the Kyoto Protocol. c) International agreement is more likely to be achieved if developed countries such as the UK set an example by creating a successful low-carbon economy; Conference therefore reaffirms that the UK must put itself on course to reduce overall UK CO 2 emissions (including from international aviation) by a minimum of 60% by 2050, with an interim target of a 20% reduction by Conference also supports the development of annual targets subject to Parliamentary scrutiny. Conference rejects the use of nuclear power generation as a means of achieving a reduction in CO 2 emissions because of the expense to the taxpayer, risk of accidents, the long-term legacy of waste and the danger of terrorist exploitation of nuclear material, and calls for existing nuclear stations to be closed at the end of their safe operating lives and not replaced. Conference recognises the scenarios included in the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution s report Energy The Changing Climate, which show how the 60% reduction target can be achieved without nuclear power. Conference calls for the adoption of a sustainable energy strategy based on energy demand reduction, greater energy efficiency, the use of economic instruments, combined heat and Wednesday 21st 35

38 Wednesday 21st power, micro-generation and community-based forms of generation and a mix of renewable energy sources that includes biomass, wind, wave, tidal, and solar, with specific policies to include: 1. Ensuring that 20% of UK electricity is generated from a range of renewable sources by 2020 by, for example, strengthening the Renewables Obligation and developing a similar obligation to promote renewable heat. 2. Reforms to the regulation of energy markets and trading arrangements to reduce barriers to small energy suppliers. 3. Government commitment to British targets to reduce emissions in the long term through the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, and the replacement of the existing complicated Climate Change Levy with a simpler Carbon Tax on a revenue neutral basis. 4. A sustained commitment to increasing energy efficiency, for example through new initiatives to promote energy savings by households and business. Conference regrets the lack of progress on climate change at the G8 summit and the negative attitude of the US Administration. Conference calls on the UK and the EU to take the lead on negotiations for the next set of international targets for greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol, bringing in countries not included from the first phase, on the basis of the long-term goal of contraction and convergence. Applicability: Federal. Wednesday 21st Note: the deadline for amendments to this motion is 12.00, Wednesday 14 September, to the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrat HQ (see page 2). Those selected for debate will be printed in Sunday s Advance Notice Sheet. Requests for separate votes may be submitted in writing by voting representatives to the Chair of the debate at any time up to the commencement of closing speeches, but they will have a much higher chance of being accepted if they are submitted by noon, Wednesday 14th September; to the Policy Unit, as above. Mover of motion: 7 minutes; all other speakers: 4 minutes Party Business Cllr Arnie Gibbons Harriet Smith (Vice Chair, Federal Conference Committee) F42 Speech by Rt Hon Jim Wallace QC MSP, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005

39 17.05 Constitutional Amendments Wednesday 21st Duncan Brack (Chair, Federal Conference Committee) Ruth Polling F43 Leadership Election Nominations Ten Conference Representatives Mover: Lord Kirkwood Summation: To be announced In Article 10.5: Delete: who must be proposed and seconded by other such members. And insert: who must be proposed by at least ten percent of other such members of the Parliamentary Party in the House of Commons. F Mover of motion: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes. Note: a Constitutional Amendment requires a two-thirds majority to pass. The relevant part of the existing constitution states: 10.5 Nominations must be of a Member of the Parliamentary Party in the House of Commons, who must be proposed and seconded by other such Members and supported by 200 members in aggregate in not less than 20 Local Parties (including, for this purpose, the Specified Associated Organisations representing youth and students as provided by Article 13.8) and must indicate acceptance of nomination. Parliamentary Candidates North Southwark and Bermondsey Mover: Simon Hughes MP Summation; Simon Hughes MP In Article 11 Parliamentary Candidates : In 11.3 c) delete: of ethnic minorities and insert: a reasonable proportion of black and minority ethnic candidates. In 11.5 g) delete: there must also be due regard for the representation of ethnic minorities and insert: in each constituency where the latest national census shows that 10% or more of the population is from black or minority ethnic communities, short lists shall contain at least one candidate who is black or from a minority ethnic community, unless in exceptional circumstances the relevant State Candidates Committee has authorised otherwise. Wednesday 21st 37

40 Wednesday 21st Amendment One Huntingdon Mover: Summation: Ron Heinrich To be announced 1 2 In line 2, delete: black and. In line 7, delete: black or. Mover of motion: 7 minutes; all other speakers: 4 minutes. Note: a Constitutional Amendment requires at least a two-thirds majority to pass. The relevant parts of the existing constitution state: 11.3 In deciding whether to enter an applicant on a list, each State Candidates Committee shall take into account: (a) (b) (c) the support shown by the applicant for the fundamental values and objectives of the Party; the previous participation by the applicant in the work of the Party or a former Party, both generally and within the relevant State; the need to ensure that the list contains a reasonable balance between both sexes and different age groups, and includes representatives of different social and economic groups and of ethnic minorities; and Wednesday 21st (d) such other considerations as may be relevant in the circumstances The rules for the selection of Westminster candidates shall comply with the following requirements: (g) subject to there being a sufficient number of applicants of each sex, short lists of two to four must include at least one member of each sex and short lists of five or more must include at least two members of each sex; there must also be due regard for the representation of ethnic minorities; Close of Session 38 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005

41 Thursday 22nd Policy Motion Ruth Polling Marie-Louise Rossi F45 Emergency Motions Note: the deadline for emergency motions is 12.00, Wednesday 14 September, to the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrat HQ (see page 2). Those selected for debate and/or proposed for the ballot will be printed in Sunday s Advance Notice sheet. Mover of motion: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes Policy Motion Cllr Alan Sherwell Cllr Margaret Godden F46 Anti-Social Behaviour Islington Mover: Summation: Cllr Laura Willoughby Cllr Bridget Fox Conference notes that: A. Acts which are not criminal but which cause severe disruption to the lives of other citizens are a growing problem and matter of public concern across the UK. B. The Labour Government s solution to this problem has been the introduction of Anti- Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs). C. ASBOs are now being used increasingly widely, with 2,600 issued last year. D. One council alone has issued ASBOs to 550 of its residents. E. ASBOs have many serious disadvantages: i) In many cases they do not succeed in tackling the problem that they seek to address, and do nothing to tackle the causes of anti-social behaviour. ii) They are regularly misused to impose a particular way of life on individuals, rather than to prevent serious harm, which is an unacceptable use of the law in a liberal society. iii) They are only effective if the police devote sufficient resources to ensure they are observed, and often merely push the activity into another area. iv) Vulnerable groups who are given ASBOs banning them from one area are often thereby cut off from any support or help they were accessing. v) ASBOs are being increasingly used for trivial, ridiculous and inappropriate issues. Thursday 22nd 39

42 Thursday 22nd vi) By breaching ASBOs, individuals often find themselves imprisoned for acts which are not criminal offences. vii) Approximately 10 children a week are jailed for offences that would not otherwise carry a prison sentence. Conference further notes that Liberal Democrat councils have devised and used many more effective and more liberal ways of combatting anti-social behaviour, including: I. Islington Council developed Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) and Parental Control Agreements, which involve the offender agreeing which sorts of behaviour are acceptable II. Somerset County Council uses a highly effective mentoring scheme for 5-19 year olds called PROMISE III. West Berkshire District Council pioneered early intervention with at risk 8-12 year olds by the youth offending team IV. Cambridge and Kirklees Council have both used innovative and modern design to stop anti-social behaviour in public places and residential areas V. West Berkshire Council provide a holiday programme for young people out of term time where attendance is rewarded with points that could be redeemed against a specially arranged activity VI. Watford Council has successfully used a Pubwatch scheme since 1997 to control alcoholrelated anti-social behaviour. Thursday 22nd Conference believes that: a) The approach taken by Liberal Democrat councils to prevent anti-social behaviour before it takes place is often more effective than an ASBO after the event. b) Any attempts to tackle anti-social behaviour should be governed by the following principles: i) That in a liberal society the test for interfering should not be that an action is annoying but whether it causes harm to others. ii) Assisting people not to want to commit crime or anti-social behaviour will always be more effective than legal restrictions or punishing people after the event. Conference calls for: 1. The Government to promote more effective and more liberal ways of dealing with antisocial behaviour such as those employed by Liberal Democrat councils. 2. The application of ASBOs to trivial issues to be ended. 3. The use of ASBOs to be restricted to serious issues that cause actual harm to other members of society. 40 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005

43 Thursday 22nd Anti-social acts which are a criminal offence to be dealt with through criminal procedures instead. Applicability: England. Note: the deadline for amendments to this motion is 12.00, Wednesday 14 September, to the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrat HQ (see page 2). Those selected for debate will be printed in Sunday s Advance Notice Sheet. Requests for separate votes may be submitted in writing by voting representatives to the Chair of the debate at any time up to the commencement of closing speeches, but they will have a much higher chance of being accepted if they are submitted by noon, Wednesday 14th September; to the Policy Unit, as above. Mover of motion: 7 minutes; all other speakers: 4 minutes Policy Motion Geoff Payne Andrew Wiseman (Vice Chair, Federal Conference Committee) F47 Civil Liberties Winchester Mover: Summation: To be announced To be announced Conference: I. Condemns the Labour Government s repeated attempts to extend the power of the state over the citizen without adequate justification and without appropriate safeguards against the abuse of civil liberties; and its repeated failure to allow sufficient time for Parliamentary scrutiny of controversial legislation. 6 II. Deplores: a) The Government s attempts to restrict the right to jury trial. b) The planned introduction of compulsory Identity Cards and a National Identity Register. c) The ban on spontaneous demonstrations in and around Parliament Square d) The loss of freedom of expression entailed in the creation of a new offence of incitement to religious hatred. III. Rejects Ministers repeated attacks on the judiciary, which demonstrate this Government s lack of understanding and respect for the constitutional separation of powers. Thursday 22nd IV. Also deplores the Government s use of the Royal Prerogative to avoid parliamentary debate on controversial issues. 41

44 Thursday 22nd V. Welcomes the repeal of powers to imprison individual terrorist suspects without charge or trial under the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, but regrets that the system of Control Orders introduced under the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005 does not include sufficient safeguards against the inappropriate use of the powers. Conference believes that: i) Securing civil liberties requires continuous scrutiny of the executive by Parliament, the judiciary, independent experts and the public ii) iii) iv) The accountability of ministers and civil servants is crucial to ensuring proper checks and balances on executive power. Despite the very real threat of terrorist attack in this country, as demonstrated on July 7th, new legislation must avoid a further erosion of civil liberties. The rights of the British people and the responsibilities of government should be enshrined in a written constitution setting out the powers of Parliament, ministers, judges, the Head of State and the national parliaments and assemblies. Thursday 22nd Conference therefore calls on the Government to: 1. Establish a Commission to draw up a preliminary draft Constitution for the United Kingdom, together with a UK Bill of Rights. 2. End Ministers use of the Royal Prerogative and ensure that all such powers are subject to parliamentary scrutiny. 3. Strengthen Parliament s ability to scrutinise legislation by: a) Ensuring that other than in exceptional circumstances every Bill is published in draft first. b) Ensuring that no Bill should be considered by a Standing Committee in either House until the Joint Committee on Human Rights has had an opportunity to consider it and report its concerns, and the government has published a formal response. 4. Ensure that all relevant Bills are accompanied by a Privacy Impact Assessment that measures proposals against the effects on the individual citizen s right to privacy. 5. Foster a culture of openness in government departments and to work to reduce substantially the number of cases in which requests for the publication of information are refused. 6. Amend the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to widen the circumstance in which the public may see the legal advice given to ministers. 7. End the politicisation of the Civil Service with a robust Civil Service Act. 42 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005

45 Thursday 22nd Introduce a new Prevention of Terrorism Bill to reinforce the mainstream criminal law so that exceptional measures which depart from the normal processes of law such as Control Orders are no longer necessary. 9. Work for the EU to be strengthened as an area of freedom, security and justice, but only through democratic and transparent decision-making giving full respect to human rights and the rule of law. Applicability: Federal Note: the deadline for amendments to this motion is 12.00, Wednesday 14 September, to the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrat HQ (see page 2). Those selected for debate will be printed in Sunday s Advance Notice Sheet. Requests for separate votes may be submitted in writing by voting representatives to the Chair of the debate at any time up to the commencement of closing speeches, but they will have a much higher chance of being accepted if they are submitted by noon, Wednesday 14th September; to the Policy Unit, as above. Mover of motion: 7 minutes; all other speakers: 4 minutes Party Business Simon Hughes MP (President of the Liberal Democrats) Duncan Brack (Chair, Federal Conference Committee) F48 F49 Presentation of Awards Speech by the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Rt Hon Charles Kennedy MP Close of Conference (Approx) Thursday 22nd 43

46 Standing Orders Standing orders Glossary of terms This glossary is not formally part of the standing orders but should be read in conjunction with them. It is included to help representatives interpret them. Business motion A proposal to conduct the affairs of the Party in a particular way or to express an opinion on the way affairs have been conducted. Business amendment A proposal to change a business motion. Any such proposal should be significant, should be within the scope of the original motion and must not be a direct negative. Committee Throughout these standing orders, Committee means the Federal Conference Committee unless otherwise qualified. Constitutional amendment A proposal to change the constitution of the Party. Secondary constitutional amendment An amendment to a constitutional amendment. This must not introduce new material. Consultative session A meeting where selected areas of policy or strategy are considered in greater depth than is possible in full debates. Day visitor Someone who has paid the appropriate day visitor fee. Day visitors are not entitled to speak or vote in full sessions of conference. Elected representative A person elected by a local party or an SAO to represent them at conference. This term does not include substitutes appointed to replace an elected representative at a particular meeting of conference. It does include elected representatives 44 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005 who have not registered for a particular meeting of conference. Emergency motion A proposal which relates to a specific recent development which occurred after the deadline for submission of amendments. Emergency motions must be brief. Emergency amendment An amendment to a motion which relates to a specific event which occurred after the deadline for the submission of amendments. It must be brief and uncontentious. Full session Any part of the conference agenda during which debates or discussion of business, including formal reports, takes place. This specifically excludes formal speeches such as those by the Leader or Party Officers. Non-voting member A party member who has paid the appropriate registration fee, but, because they are not an elected representative, is not entitled to vote at conference. A non-voting member is, however, entitled to submit a speaker s card for any item on which voting members may submit a speaker s card. Point of order A suggestion to the chair of a debate that the conduct of the debate, as laid down in the standing orders, has not been followed correctly. Policy motion A proposal to adopt a new policy or reaffirm an existing one. This includes motions accompanying policy papers and pre-manifesto papers. Policy amendment A proposal to change a policy motion. Any proposal should be of significant importance, should be within the scope of the original motion and must not be a direct negative. Standing orders Policy paper A paper prepared by the Federal Policy Committee and submitted to conference for debate under the terms of Article 5.4 of the Federal Party constitution. Pre-manifesto paper A paper prepared by the Federal Policy Committee in the year before a Westminster or European Parliamentary election as an indication of the themes and policies likely to be included in the manifesto, and submitted to conference for debate. A pre-manifesto paper will not contain substantive new development of policy. Procedural motion A proposal that the conduct of a debate should be changed in a specific way. Procedural motions are: Move to next business A proposal that the conference should cease to consider an item of business and immediately move to the next item on the agenda. Reference back A proposal to refer a motion or amendment to a named body of the Party for further consideration. Request for a count A request to the chair that a specific vote be counted and recorded rather than decided on the chair s assessment of a show of voting cards. Separate vote A request to the chair of a debate that a part or parts of a motion or amendment should be voted on separately. Suspension of standing orders A proposal to relax specific standing orders for a stated purpose.

47 Standing orders Special conference An additional meeting of the conference requisitioned by the Federal Executive, Federal Policy Committee, conference itself or 200 conference representatives under the provisions of Article 6.6 of the Federal constitution. Standing order amendment A proposal to change the rules by which motions are submitted, selected or debated. Standing orders for the Federal Conference 1. The conference agenda 1.1 What is on the agenda The agenda for each meeting of conference, other than a special conference, shall include time for: a) One or more consultative sessions; save that the Committee may decide not to hold any consultative sessions at a spring conference. b) A business session or sessions for the consideration of reports from the Parliamentary Party in the House of Commons, the Parliamentary Party in the House of Lords, the Parliamentary Party in the European Parliament, the Federal Executive, the Federal Policy Committee and the Federal Conference Committee together with, when appropriate, accounts, the annual report, business motions, constitutional amendments and standing order amendments. c) Policy motions (including motions accompanying policy papers and pre-manifesto papers) and topical motions (at autumn conference only). d) Emergency motions. e) When appropriate the inauguration of a new President of the Federal Party. f) Any other business which the Committee thinks appropriate. The time to be allocated to each type of business and the order of that business shall be decided by the Secondary standing order amendment An amendment to a standing order amendment. Topical motion A motion which would otherwise qualify as a policy or a business motion, but is either about an event which occurs after the deadline for submission of motions but before the deadline for submission of amendments or on a topic announced Committee provided that conference may decide not to take any particular item on the agenda. 1.2 Conference or council of state parties In addition, time before or after any meeting may be agreed with the relevant state party for a meeting of the conference or council of that party. 1.3 Right to submit agenda items a) Reports to conference may be submitted only by the relevant Federal Committee. b) Business motions (including amendments, topical business motions and emergency business motions and amendments), constitutional amendments and secondary constitutional amendments, standing order amendments and secondary standing order amendments may be submitted by the Federal Executive, Federal Policy committee, state parties, regional parties in England, local parties, Specified Associated Organisations and 10 conference representatives. Business motions, standing order amendments and secondary standing order amendments may also be submitted by the Federal Conference Committee. c) Motions accompanying policy papers and pre-manifesto papers may only be submitted by the by the Committee in the Final Agenda as meriting a topical motion. Voting member A person who is entitled to vote at conference. This term includes substitutes replacing conference representatives for a particular meeting of conference. It does not include conference representatives who have not paid any registration fee that may be in force nor does it include day visitors or observers who are not conference representatives. Federal Policy Committee. d) Policy motions (including amendments, topical policy motions, emergency policy motions and amendments) may be submitted by the Federal Policy Committee, state parties, regional parties in England, local parties, Specified Associated Organisations and 10 conference representatives. 1.4 How motions and amendments are submitted All motions and amendments must be submitted to the Committee. They must be typed clearly and accompanied by the name, address and telephone number(s) of a person authorised to agree to their being composited or redrafted. Motions submitted by conference representatives must be accompanied by all their signatures, names and addresses. 1.5 The deadlines by which motions and amendments and questions to reports must be submitted The Committee shall specify: a) The closing date for the receipt of constitutional amendments and amendments to standing orders and policy motions accompanying policy papers. This shall be at least 15 weeks before the start of conference. b) The closing date for the receipt of policy and business motions. For 45 Standing Orders

48 Standing orders Standing Orders the autumn conference, this shall be at least 15 weeks before the start of conference. For the spring conference, this shall be at least 8 weeks before the start of conference. c) The due date for the publication of the Preliminary Agenda. d) The closing date for receipt of amendments to the items published in the Preliminary Agenda and for the receipt of topical motions (autumn conference only) and policy motions accompanying premanifesto papers. This shall be at least 8 weeks before the start of conference. e) The closing date for the submission of questions to any of the reports listed in the Final Agenda, which shall be at least two days before the start of conference. f) Notwithstanding 1.5(e), questions may always be submitted to any of the reports listed in the Final Agenda arising from events occurring after the deadline specified in 1.5(e). The deadline for these questions shall be one hour before the start of the business session at which the report is due to be considered. g) The closing date for the submission of emergency motions and amendments and amendments to topical motions and policy motions accompanying pre-manifesto papers published in the Final Agenda, which shall be at least two days before the start of conference. 1.6 Notification of deadlines All dates specified under Standing Order 1.5 shall be notified to conference representatives and bodies entitled to submit motions. Publication in the party newspaper may be treated as notice for this purpose. 1.7 Later deadlines in special circumstances In special circumstances the Committee may specify later dates than those indicated above. In 46 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005 particular, where developments which, in the opinion of the Committee, are of great importance have taken place after the closing date for emergency motions and questions to reports, the Committee may make time available for an additional emergency motion or for a statement to be made on behalf of the Party or for additional questions to be submitted to reports. 2. Consultative Sessions 2.1 The subjects for consultative sessions The subjects for debate at consultative sessions shall be chosen by the Committee on the advice of the Federal Policy Committee and, where appropriate, the Federal Executive, and published in the Preliminary and Final Agendas. Two or more such sessions may be held simultaneously. 2.2 Speaking at consultative sessions Any member of the Party may be called to speak at a consultative session and, with the approval of the chair, non-members with relevant expertise may also be called. 2.3 Voting at consultative sessions At the discretion of the chair a vote by show of hands may be taken to indicate the weight of opinion among members present on any issue that has been debated. 3. The Preliminary Agenda 3.1 The shortlisting of motions The Committee shall draw up a Preliminary Agenda and shall decide which of the motions duly submitted shall be included in it. For the autumn conference, the Committee may allocate time for one or more policy or business motions to be selected by ballot. 3.2 Motions for the amendment of the constitution or standing orders Save as detailed below in Standing Order 4.3, all proposed amendments to the constitution or standing orders must be either selected for debate or included in a ballot to allow conference representatives to determine an order of priority for allocating time. 3.3 Circulation of the Preliminary Agenda The Preliminary Agenda, including the text of all motions selected for debate or included in a ballot, shall be circulated to those entitled to submit motions. Copies of motions not selected shall be available for inspection and will be supplied to any conference representative on payment of a copying charge and postage. 4. Selection of motions and amendments for both the Preliminary and Final Agendas 4.1 Compositing or otherwise altering motions In drawing up both the Preliminary and Final Agenda the Committee shall seek to reflect the range of views in the Party as indicated by the motions and amendments submitted. The Committee may: a) Treat any severable part of a motion or amendment as a separate motion or amendment. b) Redraft a motion or amendment so as to improve expression, remove inaccuracy or superfluity or take account of new developments. c) Composite similar motions or amendments. 4.2 Selection of amendments No amendment shall be selected if, in the opinion of the Committee, it is insubstantial, outside the scope of the motion, or tantamount to a direct negative of the motion. 4.3 Motions for the amendment of the constitution or standing orders The Committee may refuse to select a motion for amendment of the

49 Standing orders constitution or standing orders if, in their opinion, it is: a) Similar in effect to another motion which has been selected for debate or ballot at the same meeting of conference. b) Similar in effect to a motion that has been rejected at either of the last two meetings of conference. c) In the case of amendments to the constitution, incomplete in that it leaves unamended some other part of the constitution which contradicts the meaning of the amendment. d) In the case of amendments to standing orders, incomplete in that it leaves unamended some other part of standing orders which contradicts the meaning of the amendment. e) Ambiguous. 4.4 Topical motions (autumn conference) The Committee may include any topical motion on the agenda. The Committee may announce, in the Preliminary and/or Final Agenda, that it has reserved time for a topical motion on a particular subject and invite submissions on that subject by a specified date prior to the start of conference. 4.5 Emergency motions The Committee may reject an emergency motion if: a) It is similar in effect to another motion that has been selected for debate or ballot. b) It is unclear as to its meaning or intent. c) It falls outside the definition of emergency motions. No amendment shall be taken to any motion selected under this Standing Order. 4.6 Ballots for emergency motions All emergency motions, except those rejected under Standing Order 4.5, must be placed either on the agenda for debate or in a ballot for selection by Conference. The Committee may hold separate ballots to select which of a range of emergency policy motions and which of a range of emergency business motions to debate. If one or more ballots is held the Committee shall circulate the text of all balloted motions to the Representatives attending Conference as soon as practicable and shall specify a closing time for the ballot. Following the counting of any ballots the Committee shall decide how many motions shall be debated in the time available. 4.7 Emergency amendments The Committee shall have complete discretion whether to select emergency amendments for debate, save that emergency amendments shall not be taken at spring conference. 4.8 Holding motions A policy or business motion which contains no substantive text at the time of its submission (a holding motion ) may be submitted for consideration by the Committee. This includes policy motions intended to accompany policy papers yet to be published. The Committee may accept no more than two such motions from any one body on to the agenda for any autumn conference, and one such motion from any one body for any spring conference. In unusual circumstances, such as the conference immediately following a general election, the Committee shall have discretion to accept a higher number of holding motions. A full account of the reasons for the submission of all holding motions shall be included in the report to conference of the relevant committee. 5. The Final Agenda 5.1 Drawing up the Final Agenda The Committee may, in drawing up the Final Agenda: a) Transfer any constitutional or standing order amendment from the ballot to the agenda for debate. b) Remove a motion which was on the Preliminary Agenda. The Final Agenda shall be circulated to voting conference members as soon as practicable. 5.2 Balance between State and Federal policy debates The Committee shall, in drawing up the Final Agenda, have due regard to the balance of State and Federal policy debates and in particular shall as far as possible organise the agenda so that all matters which relate to one or more state parties but not all State Parties or the Federal Party shall be considered at either the beginning or the end of the conference. 6. Special meetings 6.1 Timetabling of special meetings The Committee shall, as soon as practicable after the requisitioning of a special meeting of the conference, fix a date for the meeting, draw up a Preliminary Agenda and, if appropriate, specify a date for the submission of amendments. The Committee may, if necessary, proceed straight to a Final Agenda and set an appropriate deadline for amendments. The meeting shall deal only with the business stated in the notice of requisition save that the Committee may allow time for emergency motions and for business which is formal or, in its opinion, uncontentious. 6.2 Preferred timescales for special meetings In setting dates for the submission of motions and amendments and giving notice thereof and of the conference itself the Committee shall endeavour to follow the timescales laid down elsewhere in these standing orders but, where this is not practicable, the Committee shall set such dates as it sees fit. 7. Appeals 7.1 Appeals against rejection of motions The Committee shall provide written 47 Standing Orders

50 Standing orders Standing Orders reasoning to the nominee of the proposers for the rejection of any motion or amendment or the removal of any motion from the Preliminary Agenda. The proposers may appeal, in writing, to the next meeting of the Committee. Any such appeal shall provide reasons why, in the opinion of the proposers, the expressed reasons for rejection are not valid. If the appeal is allowed, the motion or amendment shall be treated as a topical or emergency motion or amendment according to the stage of the agenda-setting process at which the appeal has been allowed. 7.2 Appeals against exclusion from conference Any person excluded from conference by a decision of the Chief Steward shall have the right of appeal to the Committee at the next of its regular meetings. The exclusion shall remain in force pending the appeal. If the person who is excluded is a voting member of conference, their local party or SAO shall be contacted immediately and invited to appoint a substitute for the remainder of the conference. 8. The chair 8.1 Who chairs conference The President, if present, shall take the chair at the formal opening and closing of conference and when the Party Leader is making a formal speech from the platform. At all other sessions the chair shall be appointed by the Committee. Normally no person shall chair more than one session at any meeting. 8.2 The chair s aide The Committee may appoint an aide or aides to assist the chair of each session. 9. Conduct of debate 9.1 Variation in the order of business The Committee may propose to the conference a variation in the order of 48 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005 business as set out in the Final Agenda. Such variation shall be put to the vote and shall take effect if approved by a majority of those voting. 9.2 Withdrawal of motions and amendments Once the Committee has included a motion or amendment, or part of a motion or amendment, in the Final Agenda, it may not be withdrawn except by leave of conference. 9.3 The order of debate The Committee shall direct the order of debate. Generally, however, a motion will be moved and immediately thereafter the amendments and options will be moved in the order directed by the Committee. There will then be a general debate. The movers of amendments and options (or their nominees) shall have the right of reply in the same order, after which the mover of the motion (or the mover s nominee) shall have the right of reply. Votes shall then be taken on the amendments and options in the order in which they have been moved and, finally, on the substantive motion. The Committee may direct that part of any motion or amendment or groups or amendments may be the subject of a separate debate. 9.4 Who may speak Only voting or non-voting members may speak at a full session of conference, save that other persons may speak in the following circumstances: a) As a member of the Federal Policy Committee representing that committee in a policy debate. b) As a member of the Federal Conference Committee representing that committee in debates on standing orders and matters of conference procedure. c) As a member of the Federal Executive representing that committee on matters of party business. d) If called by the chair of the session, after the Committee has given permission. Such permission shall only be given exceptionally. Additionally the Committee may, on the proposal of the President, invite any person to address the conference as a guest. 9.5 The special rights of the Federal Committees Provided that the Federal Policy Committee is not proposing the motion or any of the amendments to be taken in a particular debate it shall have the right to nominate a person to report its views on the subject before the conference. The Federal Executive shall have similar rights on business motions or motions to amend the constitution, as shall the Federal Conference Committee on motions relating to the proceeding and procedures of the conference and to amend standing orders. Such a person shall be called to speak for the same length of time as the person replying on behalf of the mover of the motion. 9.6 The selection of speakers Voting and non-voting members wishing to speak in any debate shall submit a speaker s card, prior to the commencement of the debate in which they wish to speak, stating whether they wish to speak for or against an amendment, the motion or part of the motion. The chair shall be responsible for the choice of the speakers and shall attempt to provide a balanced debate between the different viewpoints in the conference, but may announce a departure from this rule if there is an overwhelming preponderance of members wishing to speak on the same side. The chair shall have the discretion to accept speakers cards after the start of the debate. Save as provided for in these standing orders, no person may speak more than once in any debate. 9.7 The length of speeches The Committee shall set out in the Final Agenda time limits for speeches. The Committee or the chair may propose to conference a change

51 Standing orders in these limits. If a vote is requested it shall be taken immediately without speeches and the change shall take effect if approved by a majority of those voting. No count shall be taken on such a vote, the chair s decision being final. 9.8 Where to speak from All speeches shall be made from the rostrum, save that speeches by the President or Leader of the Party, except when participating in debate, or by a guest invited by the Committee, or on the occasion of the opening or the closing of the meeting, may be made from the platform. 10.Voting at conference 10.1 The method of voting Voting cards shall be issued at each meeting to voting members. (The Committee may direct that voting on any issue be by ballot.) Subject thereto all votes at full sessions shall be taken by show of voting cards Counting of votes A vote by show of voting cards shall be counted: a) If the Committee has so directed. b) If the chair so directs. c) As the result of a procedural motion under Standing Order 12.5 below. A recount will only be held if the chair is not satisfied that the first count was accurate Separate votes A separate vote may be taken on a part of a motion or amendment: a) On the direction of the Committee. b) At the discretion of the chair. c) As a result of a procedural motion under Standing Order 12.4 below. 11.Points of order 11.1 Making a point of order Any voting member may rise on a point of order which shall be taken immediately except that, during a vote, no point of order shall be taken that does not refer to the conduct of the vote. The chair s decision on all points of order shall be final. 12.Procedural motions 12.1 Next business a) A voting member may, during any full conference session, submit, in writing, a request that conference move to next business, giving the reasons to do so. The submission shall not exceed 75 words. b) The chair may either take the request immediately upon receipt, or at the end of any speech currently being made. If more than one request is received the chair shall decide which to take. No more than one request may be taken in respect to any motion or report. c) When the request is to be taken, the chair shall read the statement of reasons and ask conference whether it wishes to consider the request to move to next business. If conference decides, by a simple majority of those voting, to do so, the person who made the request may speak. The chair may allow other speakers. All speeches under this standing order shall be limited to two minutes. If conference decides not to debate the proposal, it falls. d) The proposal shall require a twothirds majority of those voting to be passed. If it is carried the current agenda item shall be abandoned without any further debate or vote and, at the discretion of the chair, either the next agenda item shall be taken or there shall be an adjournment until the time at which the next agenda item was due to be taken Reference back (moved by a representative) a) A voting member, who has not already spoken in the debate, may, at any time before the chair has asked the first speaker in reply to stand by, submit, in writing, a request to refer back the motion under debate. The submission shall state to whom the motion is to be referred and shall include a statement of the reasons, including reasons why voting against the motion would not achieve a similar result, not exceeding 75 words. b) The chair may take the request to refer back at whatever stage of the debate they consider appropriate. If more than one request is received, the chair shall decide which to take. No more than one request may be taken with respect to any motion. c) When the request is to be taken, the chair shall read the statement of reasons and ask conference whether it wishes to consider the request to refer. If conference decides, by a simple majority of those voting, to do so, the person who made the request may speak and the mover of the substantive motion, or their nominee, may reply. The chair may allow other speakers. All speeches under this standing order shall be limited to two minutes. If conference decides not to debate the reference back, it falls. d) The reference back shall require a simple majority of those voting to be passed. If the substantive motion is referred to the Federal Executive, the Federal Policy Committee or the Federal Conference Committee that body shall, in its report to the next meeting of the conference, state what action it has taken on the reference Reference back (moved by the Federal Policy Committee) a) The Federal Policy Committee may, at any time before the beginning of the debate on a motion, submit, in writing, a request to refer that motion to the next meeting of the conference. The chair shall announce the existence of such a request at the start of the debate. b) The chair may take the request to refer back at whatever stage of the debate they consider appropriate Standing Orders

52 Standing orders Standing Orders A nominee of the Federal Policy Committee will speak and the mover of the substantive motion, or their nominee, may reply. The chair shall have discretion whether to allow other speakers on the request. c) The reference back shall require a simple majority of those voting to be passed. If passed, the Federal Policy Committee shall, before the next meeting of the conference, circulate its reasons for acting under this section and its comments on the motion and any amendments thereto accepted for debate Separate vote A voting member of conference may request that the chair take a separate vote on a part of a motion or amendment provided that such a request is in writing and received before the commencement of the speeches in reply to the debate. The chair shall have complete discretion whether to take a separate vote Counted vote Any voting member may ask for a counted vote, which shall be taken if the request is supported by 50 members rising in their places and showing their voting cards Suspension of standing orders a) A voting conference member may, during any full conference session, move a motion for the suspension of standing orders. The mover shall submit the motion together with a written statement of its purpose, not exceeding 75 words, to the chair, who shall read them to the meeting. b) No motion to suspend standing orders may suspend any requirement of the constitution, nor any part of these standing orders which govern: i) The rights of, or timetable for, submission of motions and amendments. ii) Consultative sessions. iii) Procedural motions for next business or suspension of standing orders. 50 Liberal Democrat Conference Autumn 2005 c) No motion to suspend standing orders to introduce a motion or amendment on to the agenda can be taken unless the motion or amendment has been submitted to the Committee in accordance with the published timetable and, where a right of appeal against non-selection exists, the right has been exercised. d) The chair shall read the statement of purpose and, if the suspension is allowable in the terms of this standing order, ask the conference whether it wishes to debate the request for suspension. If the conference decides not to debate the request, it falls. If the conference decides, by a majority of those present and voting, to hear the request the mover may speak and a representative of the Committee may reply. The chair shall have the discretion to allow other speakers. All speeches on the motion to suspend standing orders will be limited to two minutes. e) A motion to suspend standing orders shall only be carried if supported by at least two-thirds of the conference members voting. If the procedural motion is carried all standing orders shall remain in force except only for the purposes set out in the motion No procedural motions during votes No procedural motion can be moved during a vote. 13.Reports 13.1 Which reports are tabled The business session or sessions of the conference must include consideration of reports from the bodies listed in Standing Order 1.1(b). It may also include consideration of any other reports submitted by any Federal Party committee or sub-committee Submission and selection of questions A voting member may submit questions to any report tabled for consideration, by the deadlines set under Standing Orders 1.5 (e) and (f). The Committee shall publish in advance of the report session all the questions submitted under Standing Order 1.5 (e) which are in order, compositing similar questions where appropriate Whether questions are in order or not A question shall be ruled out of order if it asks the body submitting the report about issues which are outside its duties and responsibilities. If the question could be answered by another body reporting to the same conference, the Committee may transfer the question to that body How questions and supplementary questions are put and answered After the report is moved, the mover, or their nominee, shall answer the questions in turn. After each question has been answered, the voting member who submitted the question will be given the opportunity to put a supplementary question, speaking for a maximum of two minutes, and the mover, or their nominee, will be given an opportunity to respond. The chair shall determine the time given to the mover in moving the report and replying to questions. The chair shall also determine how many of the published questions, and how many of the questions submitted under Standing Order 1.5 (f), can be taken. After the conference the Committee shall publish the answers to all questions submitted under Standing Orders 1.5 (e) and (f) which are in order, and to all supplementary questions asked Approval or rejection of reports from Federal Party committees or sub-committees Any report tabled by a Federal Party committee or sub-committee must be submitted for approval by the conference and must be voted upon accordingly. A voting member may move the rejection of any part of the

53 Standing orders report or of the report as a whole. A voting member wishing to move a rejection shall submit a speaker s card prior to the commencement of the consideration of the report, stating the section(s) which they wish to have rejected. All moves to reject a report must be debated (except that the chair shall have discretion to choose between moves to reject the same part of the report), at the conclusion of the question session. The person who made the request shall speak and the mover of the report, or their nominee, shall reply. The chair may allow other speakers, and shall determine the time given to all speakers Receipt of reports from other bodies Any report tabled by a body other than a Federal Party committee or sub-committee must be submitted for receipt by the conference and must be voted upon accordingly. A voting member may move not to receive the report, by submitting a speaker s card prior to the commencement of the consideration of the report. A move not to receive a report must be debated (except that the chair shall have discretion to choose between more than one move not to receive the same report), at the conclusion of the question session. The person who made the request shall speak and the mover of the report, or their nominee, shall reply. The chair may allow other speakers, and shall determine the time given to all speakers. 14. Amendment of standing orders 14.1 Amendment of standing orders These standing orders may be amended by a two-thirds majority of members of conference voting on a motion duly submitted and selected in accordance with standing orders. Subject to any amendment they shall remain in force from meeting to meeting. 15. The Chair and Vice Chairs of the Committee 15.1 Chair and Vice Chairs At its first meeting after a new election the Committee shall elect a Chair, who must be a member of the Committee directly elected by conference, and at least one Vice Chair, who must be a member of the Committee either directly elected by conference or elected by one of the State Parties. The Federal Party Officers of the Federal Party Leader President Chair of FFAC Treasurer Vice President (England) Vice President (Scotland) Vice President (Wales) Chief Executive Federal Conference Committee Rt Hon Charles Kennedy MP Simon Hughes MP David Griffiths Tim Clement-Jones Stan Collins Judy Hayman Lembit Öpik MP Chris Rennard MBE The Conference Committee is responsible for all questions concerning the organisation of the Conference. A member of the Conference Committee may be contacted via the Information Desk in the foyer of Hall Q, where registration and the exhibition are located, or via the Stewards Table at the side of the Auditorium by the platform. Members of the Conference Committee are identified by their purple and gold badges. Stuart Marritt has overall responsibility for the organisation and administration of the Conference. Members of the Federal Conference Committee Qassim Afzal Cllr Jon Ball Cllr Sarah Boad Duncan Brack (Chair) Dee Doocey AM (London) Cllr Gareth Epps Sue Garden Cllr Arnie Gibbons Cllr Margaret Godden Cllr James Gurling (FE Rep) Jeremy Hargreaves (FPC Rep) Simon Hughes MP (President) Chris Jennings (Acting Chief Steward) Jim Kelleher (Welsh Rep) Sarah Morris (Staff Rep) Geoff Payne (FPC Rep) Ruth Polling Chris Rennard MBE Marie Louise Rossi (FE Rep) Harriet Smith (Vice Chair) Jane Smithard Debra Storr (Scottish Rep) Andrew Stunell MP (Chief Whip) Andrew Wiseman (English Rep) (Vice Chair) 51 Standing Orders

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