Conference Daily Tuesday 17 September Autumn Conference Brighton 2024 PLAINTEXT Information from the Federal Conference Committee (FCC) for Tuesday 17 September and report back for Monday 16 September. Please read in conjunction with the Conference Agenda. Contents and Timetable Report back for Monday 16 September 2 Timetable for Tuesday 17 September 09.00–09.30 F38 Emergency motion: Implementing the Recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report 3 09.30–10.15 F39 Policy motion: The Clean Water Authority 5 10.15–11.05 F40 Reports: Parliamentary Parties 6 11.05–11.50 F41 Policy motion: Tackling Child Poverty 9 11.50–12.35 F42 Policy motion: A Fair Deal for Family Carers 9 12.35–12.50 F43 Speech: Alex Cole–Hamilton MSP 11 Lunch break and fringe 14.10–14.20 F44 Party Awards 14.20–15.30 F45 Speech: Ed Davey MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats If no page number is indicated, there are no changes or additional information to the information in the Conference Agenda. All conference publications are available at: www.libdems.org.uk/conference_papers Report back for Monday 16 September F29 Policy motion: Fair Votes Now Passed (Amendments One and Two passed) F32 Emergency motion: Israel–Gaza Conflict Passed F33 Policy motion: Tackling the Prisons Crisis Passed (Amendments One, Two and Three passed) (Lines 71–72 retained) F35 Policy Motion: International Development – Restoring the UK’s Role Passed F36 Policy motion: A Fair Deal for Musicians Passed (Amendment One passed) (Lines 20 and 73 retained) F37 Policy motion: Reversing Cuts to Bereavement Support Payments and Supporting Kinship Carers Passed (Amendment One passed) For the text of motions and amendments, please refer to the Autumn 2024 Conference Agenda and Conference Daily for Monday 16 September. Left luggage There is no left luggage facility at the Brighton Centre. No suitcases or large bags (bigger than Ryanair cabin baggage) are permitted. Please leave any bags at the hotel where you are staying. Lost Property Any lost property will be handed in to the Information Desk in the Brighton Centre. Live stream If you missed any conference sessions or want to watch again, go to: libdems.org.uk/conference-live We want to hear from you! We will be sending round a feedback survey link soon. Please let us know about your experience of conference. Tuesday 17 September F38 Emergency motion: Implementing the Recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report Hall Aide: Duncan Brack. 17 members Mover: Fraser Graham. Summation: Hina Bokhari AM. Conference notes: i) The publication on 4th September 2024 of The Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report that contains important recommendations covering multiple areas. ii) That in the 7 years since the Grenfell Tower Fire, the Grenfell community have repeatedly called for justice, as the Metropolitan Police and CPS have delayed the conclusion of their investigations pending the inquiry’s conclusion. iii) The fire’s disproportionate impact on ethnic minority communities and the Grenfell community’s unsuccessful call for the inquiry to investigate the role played by institutional Racism. iv) That construction industry reform in response to the fire has been ongoing, but the report has highlighted key areas for further reform. v) The report’s recommendations regarding building standards and guidance refer to England and Wales; Scotland and Northern Ireland building regulations are devolved matters. vi) The continued resilience of the Grenfell community, including victims, their families, and those from the surrounding area, as well as the overwhelming support and kindness shown by the public in response to the fire. Conference believes that: A. Independent and comprehensive public inquiries enable lessons to be learned from disasters such as this, and it is vital that their recommendations be reviewed and actioned. B. As the report stated, earlier and more comprehensive implementation of lessons learned from previous incidents could have prevented or reduced this fire’s impact and the resulting loss of life. Conference calls for: 1. The UK Government to fully implement the Grenfell Tower Inquiry report’s recommendations, including: a) Establishing a legal requirement to maintain a publicly accessible record of recommendations made by select committees, coroners and public inquiries plus a description of the steps taken in response, or reasons for not accepting a recommendation. b) Creating the office of the construction regulator, uniting regulatory and testing functions currently split between several government departments and companies. c) Uniting the responsibilities for fire safety functions under one Secretary of State and appointing a suitably qualified adviser on matters affecting the construction industry. d) A comprehensive review of the Building Regulations relating to fire and the definition of ‘Higher-Risk Buildings’ within the Building Safety Act. e) Introducing a regulatory and competency framework for the roles of Fire Engineer and Fire Risk Assessor, with the creation of relevant professional bodies and professional qualifications. f) Review of how building control functions are exercised in England and Wales, particularly the involvement of commercial interests. g) Review of the Civil Contingencies Act. h) Creation of an independent College of Fire and Rescue. 2. The UK Government to assist other bodies noted in the report implement the recommendations as relevant to them providing funding to do so. 3. Devolved and Local Governments to consider the recommendations applicable to their devolved responsibilities and implement these as appropriate. 4. The Metropolitan Police to conclude their investigations without further delay, and the CPS to carry out prosecutions as appropriate to provide justice for the victims and their loved ones. 5. An investigation into the role of institutional racism as a factor in the fire. Applicability: England only; except 1. g) (line 54) and 2 (lines 56–58), which are Federal. Background briefing: This motion updates and develops policy on building safety in response to the Grenfell Inquiry. It builds on existing policy as set out in the general election manifesto For a Fair Deal (2024) and policy motion Safe Building Standards for all Homes (September 2017). F39 The Clean Water Authority Hall Aide: Cllr Darryl Smalley. The FCC has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion: In 2. (line 65), delete ‘and’ and insert ‘,’; and after ‘Natural England’ insert ‘and Local Authorities’. In vi) (line 58), delete ‘next’ and insert ‘this’. Amendment One Manchester Mover: John Bridges. Summation: Alan Good. After F. (line 45), insert: G. Measures to tackle the pollution of our water courses and waterways should include those to manage industrial effluents from point sources, surface water littering, and non-point sources of pollution including industrial chemicals, pesticides, fertilisers, animal manure and soil washed into streams in rainfall run-off. After 3. g) (line 85), insert: 4. To clarify and publicise who has the responsibility for the maintenance of inland waterways including surrounding spaces such as towpaths and riverbanks. Background briefing: This motion updates and develops policy on the water industry, sewage and water courses. It builds on existing policy as set out in the general election manifesto For a Fair Deal (2024), policy paper 156, Tackling the Nature Crisis (September 2023), and policy motion Are You Drinking What We’re Drinking? (March 2024). F40 Parliamentary Parties Report: questions and accountability Q1. Submitted by Josh Price In the new Parliament, what policies is the Party in both Houses going to prioritise in Private Members Bills? Q2. Submitted by Ella Jayne How do you think the role of the House of Lords will change now we have a larger Commons parliamentary party? Q3. Submitted by Douglas Munro The Parliamentary party dramatically increased post-election. What operational changes are taking place to meet this challenge? Q4. Submitted by Adam Robertson With the Conservatives fighting for the soul of Conservatism with Nigel Farage, is the Parliamentary Party prepared to be part of the Official Opposition if the opportunity arises? Q5. Submitted by Rebecca Jones Now the party has won 72 seats, what will the parliamentary party do to advance trans rights in Parliament? Q6. Submitted by Christopher Johnson What would you say the biggest opportunity and biggest challenge have been for the parliamentary parties since last conference given the general election? Q7. Submitted by Stephen Harte With a record number of new staff to recruit managed by new MPs, what steps are we taking to ensure best HR practice? Q8. Submitted by Ulysse Abbate What actions have your committee taken to support the mental health of Members of Parliament and their staff? Q9. Submitted by Ulysse Abbate What actions have you taken to improve diversity and inclusion in the Parliamentary Parties and staff in Parliament? Q10. Submitted by Abrial Jerram Having had time to reflect, are you satisfied with the Lib Dem response to the riots? Q11. Submitted by Abrial Jerram Having been impressed by the effectiveness of the the parties staunch defence of the elderly during the cost of living crisis (triple lock & WFA), what are the prospects for success for using the same political skill for standing up other generations by applying the triple lock to things that effect them (e.g. minimum wage, maintenance loans, disability living allowance)? Q12. Submitted by Abrial Jerram With the election of Layla Moran as chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee, how much success do you expect her to have in challenging the flawed Cass review and the even more flawed implementation of its recommendations and what can Lib Dem MPs especially the at time of writing health and education spokespeople (Daisy Cooper and Munira Wilson) do to support her in that? Q13. Submitted by Simon Hughes In this parliament which specific issues and subjects are regarded as matters of personal conscience with no requirement for MPs and peers to follow any party policy? Q14. Submitted by Simon Hughes Will both Chief Whips undertake that all relevant Standing Orders governing rights of Liberal Democrat parliamentarians to vote according to conscience will always be public documents? Q15. Submitted by Ulysse Abbate How will you ensure our 72 new MPs work best with our federal party and its bodies/committees? Q19. Submitted by John Grout Can our Parliamentary groups resolve to consult the party’s registered SAO groups (such as Lib Dem Women, the Lib Dem Disability Association, LGBT+ Lib Dems, etc.) prior to meeting un-recognised or external groups which may be lobbying intensively but may also have agendas inimical to Liberal values? Q16. Submitted by Judith Bailey The Party is planning to produce a spokesperson’s paper on the Cass Review. Can the Parliamentary Party commit to hearing voices from all sides of this debate including from parents who chose talking therapies for their gender distressed children rather than medicalisation? Q17. Submitted by Judith Bailey Does the Parliamentary Party accept the recommendations from the Cass Review? Q18. Submitted by Gareth Epps With two new MPs coming second and third in the Private Members’ Bill ballot, are there plans to engage members and voters (in Gloucestershire and beyond) in choosing meaningful legislation? Q19. Submitted by Brandon Masih What evidence was used by health spokesperson team to agree on announcing support for zero-rating HFP sunscreen and that it would deliver savings to consumers? F41 Tackling Child Poverty Background briefing: This motion updates welfare policy with regard to child poverty. It builds on existing policy as set out in the general election manifesto For a Fair Deal (2024) and policy paper 150, Towards a Fairer Society (March 2023). F42 A Fair Deal for Family Carers Chair: James Gurling. The FCC has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion: In vii) (line 17), delete ‘low’ and insert ‘high’. Amendment One West Suffolk Mover: Andy McGowan. Summation: Helen Korfanty. In i) (line 3), after ‘disabled’ insert ‘or who has a drug or alcohol addiction; this includes around one million young carers under the age of 18’. In vii) (line 17), after ‘too high’ insert ‘, for example excluding full-time students and requiring carers to care for one person for at least 35 hours a week’. After x) (line 25), insert: xi) Department for Education data shows that 39% of young carers are ‘persistently absent’, missing at least one day of school a fortnight, almost twice as high as the figure for pupils who are not young carers; young carers are also significantly less likely to gain a degree or enter employment. xii) The launch of the Young Carers Covenant by Carers Trust in March 2024, a UK-wide commitment to young carers and young adult carers. xiii) There has not been a UK Government plan for improving support for unpaid carers since 2020. After g) (line 42), insert: h) Young carers should be supported to have the same access to education, employment and life opportunities as their peers without caring responsibilities. In 6. (line 58), after ‘carers’ insert ‘including parent carers and young carers’. After 7. (line 60), insert: 8. Proactively support the Young Carers Covenant and set out how it plans to ensure that the needs of young carers are proactively considered in its mission to break down barriers to opportunity for all young people. 9. Introduce a cross-government national All-Ages Carers Strategy, produced in partnership with carers and funded to meet its objectives. Amendment Two 10 members Mover: Katharine Pindar. Summation: Michael Berwick-Gooding. In 3. (line 49), delete ‘be significantly higher than’ and insert ‘the equivalent of 21 hours a week at the National Living Wage from’. Background briefing: This motion updates and develops policy on family carers. It builds on existing policy as set out in the general election manifesto For a Fair Deal (2024) and policy paper 151, A More Caring Society (March 2023). F43 Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP (Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats) Aide: Professor Belinda Brooks-Gordon. Autumn Conference Welcome to the Conference Appeal Donate to our Conference Appeal today This Conference has been an amazing opportunity for us to celebrate our party’s incredible achievements of the last year. But it has been important for another reason too… Looking to the future. We have made great strides forward together in these last few years - but what we do now will truly define the future of our party. If we are to hold onto our 72 wonderful MPs and build on our success going forward, we need your help to start campaigning and lay the foundations for further growth. By donating to our Conference Appeal today, you'll help us get to work to support our new MPs to get ahead as quickly as possible. Thank you - for everything you did to help us make all of this possible, and for anything you can do to keep us moving forward. Scan the QR code with your camera to donate or visit www.libdems.org.uk/appeal