Conference EXTRA Liberal Democrats Spring Conference York 15-17 March 2024 This plain text version of the Conference Extra matches the text of the published Conference Extra. Motion line numbers, complex layouts and graphics have been omitted and some information may appear in a different place in the document. Updates to the Agenda & Directory, information from the Federal Conference Committee (FCC), amendments, emergency motions and questions to reports. Please read in conjunction with the Agenda & Directory. Please keep Conference Extra with you throughout conference and get hold of a copy of Conference Daily each day - they will be vital to your understanding of the day's business - available at: www.libdems.org.uk/conference_papers and via the Conference App. Limited hard copies of Conference Daily will be available at conference, from the Information Desk In the York Barbican. Contents Agenda Extra: Saturday 16 March 2 Sunday 17 March 12 Agenda Information update 21 Directory Extra: Exhibition update 22 Fringe update 24 Federal Conference Committee, Federal Policy Committee and Federal Board. 25 Agenda extra Updates and amendments to the Agenda printed in the Agenda & Directory. Saturday 16 March F2 F2 Federal Conference Committee Q1. Submitted by John Grout Given the potential for an Autumn election to disrupt the Autumn Conference (for the 4th time in the last 5 years!), what plans do FCC have to minimise any disruption and ensure that something can still take place (e.g. purely online)? Given the high number of cancelled conferences over recent years, and the possibility of yet another cancellation in the autumn, on what grounds does FCC believe that any party member should arrange to attend any party conference ever again? Q2. Submitted by Abrial Jerram Do you plan to increase the diversity of conference venues beyond York, Brighton and Bournemouth in the long term? Q3. Submitted by Abrial Jerram and John Grout Did the possibility that this could be our last conference before the General Election have an impact on selection of motions for the agenda and if so, what was the impact? Given that this may well be the last Conference before the General Election, can FCC explain the decision not to have any GE- or manifesto-focused items on the main agenda? Note: Both submitters of this composite question will be entitled to a supplementary question. Q4. Submitted by Abrial Jerram Please explain your selection of F23, Tackling the Funding Crisis in Local Government, given its lack of substance. Q5. Submitted by Toby Keynes For Autumn Conference 2023, a number of submitted questions were 'composited' together, supposedly to prevent duplication - but major concerns raised within some questions were removed entirely. Does FCC undertake not to use compositing to suppress awkward questions that members are entitled to raise? Q6. Submitted by Michael Berwick-Gooding and Andrew Hudson According to Standing Order 12.4 "After the Conference the Committee shall publish the answers to all questions submitted under Standing Orders 1.5 (d) and (e) which are in order, and to all supplementary questions asked". After last Autumn's Conference I emailed asking where this information would be published, but I didn't receive an answer. Please can you say where these have been published for the Federal Conferences last year and where they will be published for this Conference? Note: Both submitters of this composite question will be entitled to a supplementary question. Q7. Submitted by Dionne Daniel The Questions input form says, at the final submission stage, "Recommended maximum 25 words" for Questions to Reports. You've already tried and failed to limit us to 30 seconds for follow-up questions. Are you trying to neuter this important way of holding committees to account at Conference? Q8. Submitted by Joe Norris What's been your committee's biggest mistake, and what did you learn from it? Q9. Submitted by Alisdair McGregor Why is the conference registration process still acting in a discriminatory fashion against people with long-term disabilities? Q10. Submitted by James Bliss At Bournemouth conference there was an issue of partisan leaflets on a major policy debate being handed out on chairs during a fringe event by a major party group. What steps are FCC taking to prevent this happening in future? F3 Federal Policy Committee Q1. Submitted by Em Dean I welcome the efforts of the FPC to index our recent policy, however, some key policy is missing as it is much older, for example on Culture, Transport, and Equalities, which tend not to be updated as frequently. Could the FPC commit to going a bit further back in time on such issues, and add policy from prior years? Q2. Submitted by Michael Berwick Gooding Will FPC look into the tax expert Richard Murphy's Taxing Wealth Report, and into Margaret Hodge's claim made on 25th November 2023 in the House of Commons that there are 100 tax reliefs which could raise œ195 billion if scrapped, with a view to the party adopting some of them? F4 Sport for the People Amendment One ALDC Mover: Cllr Alex Wagner. Summation: to be announced. After 4. (line 68), add: 5. Help councils to enhance community sporting facilities which play a key role in the early sporting lives of many athletes by working with councils to reform local government finance and supporting improvements to those grassroots community facilities. Amendment Two 15 members Mover: Helen Tamblyn-Saville. Summation: Olly Craven. After 4. (line 68), add: 5. Review opportunities to televise and provide media coverage to sports that have not typically enjoyed mainstream coverage. F5 Boosting Cancer Survival The FCC has agreed to make the following drafting amendment to the motion: In line 1, delete 'Concern' and insert 'Conference'. Amendment One Lambeth Mover: Stevan Cirkovic. Summation: Donna Harris. In D. (line 8), delete 'Tens of thousands of patients' and insert 'Nearly 100,000 patients'. Delete J. (lines 25-26) and insert: J. An extra 33,000 cancer cases per year in the UK (nearly one in 10) are associated with deprivation and inequality. After J (line 26), insert: K. The Conservative Government has allowed the UK research environment to deteriorate, and is presiding over the closure of the National Cancer Research Institute, which has coordinated cancer research for more than two decades. L. There are shortages across all professions in the cancer workforce, which has contributed to growing expenditure on short-term staffing across all areas of NHS care, estimated by the British Medical Association at œ9 billion in 2022. After e) (line 50), insert: f) A fair deal for the NHS workforce is vital to delivering better patient care, outcomes and research. Investing in the recruitment and retention of specialised cancer doctors and nurses is investment in patients and tackling growing cancer waiting lists. Delete 3. (lines 63-64) and insert: 3. Boost access to radiotherapy by investing in 200 new radiotherapy machines and the staff to deliver an increased service, eliminating any blackspots in geographical coverage. After 3. (lines 64), insert: 4. Expand day units and satellite services for chemotherapy so that cancer patients in all parts of the country can access routine treatment within 60 minutes of travel from their home. F7 Liberal Values in a Dangerous World Amendment One 10 members Mover: Dr Ruvi Ziegler. Summation: Jacqueline Bell. In III. (line 9), after 'cooperation' insert 'and recalling the commitment in Spring conference 2021 policy motion, Safe and Legal Routes to Save Lives, to the creation of pathways for submission of humanitarian visa applications, including at embassies and consulates at countries of origin and at channel crossings'. After F (line 20), insert: G. Partaking in global responsibility-sharing through providing protection for refugees fleeing conflicts wherever they arise such as through expansion of resettlement schemes and demonstrating a consistent commitment to family unification, recalling our commitment in Autumn conference 2018 policy motion A Fair Deal for Everyone: Prosperity and Dignity in Migration, to offer safe and legal routes to the UK for at least 10,000 refugees each year as well as welcoming 10,000 unaccompanied refugee children over a period of 10 years. In 2. d) (line 64), after 'asylum seekers' insert '; this includes ensuring a rapid response to displacement caused by conflicts wherever they arise by creating a global process for applying for protection from outside the UK, and by offering Sponsorship Scheme Visas and Family Unification Schemes such as the Ukraine Family Scheme visa to those fleeing conflicts globally, not just for Ukrainians'. Amendment Two 10 members Mover: John Russell. Summation: to be announced. After vi) (line 37), insert: vii) Abandoning our role as a global leader on tackling the climate emergency. After 1. e) (line 51), insert: f) Restoring the UK's role as a global leader on climate change. After 2. d) (line 64), insert': e) Increasing the proportion of the international development budget committed to tackling climate change and environmental degradation. Amendment Three 17 members Mover: George Cunningham. Summation: Helen Maguire. In 4. b) (line 92), after 'equipment procurements,' insert 'including European industry being able to replenish stocks rapidly by ramping up production to meet the threat triggered by Russia putting her economy on a war footing'. In 5. a) (line 101), delete ', one day,', and after 'country' insert 'including finding lawful ways of using the estimated $300 billion of frozen sovereign assets of the Russian state as reparations for the violations of international law by Russia in Ukraine'. Amendment Four Lambeth Mover: Sarah Lewis. Summation: Doug Buist. After 7. c) (line 133), insert: e) Restore the British Council's in-country presence to 2019 levels of offices and staffing. F9 Federal Appeals Panel The FCC has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion: In i) (line 16), delete 'appointed' and insert 'chosen'. Delete ii) (line 17) and insert: ii) In 22.1A, deleting 'elected' and inserting 'chosen'. iii) In 22.1B, deleting 'elected' and inserting 'chosen'. iv) In the last paragraph of 22.1, deleting 'the members elected to it by the Federal Board' and inserting 'those of its members chosen by the Federal Board'. v) In the last paragraph of 22.1, deleting 're-appointed as a member of the Panel' and inserting 'chosen again as a member of the Panel by the Federal Board and confirmed by Conference'. F11 Are you Drinking What We're Drinking? The FCC has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion: In ii) (line 4), delete 'In the last three years' and insert 'Between 2020-2022'. In iii) (line 8), delete 'over the last three years' and insert 'between 2020-2022,'. F13 Tackling Persistent Absence Amendment One 11 members Mover: Andy McGowan. Summation: Clare Tevlin. After a) (line 19), insert: b) Included in the absence figures are children who can not attend rather than will not attend - those whose social and emotional needs make attendance exceptionally challenging and in some cases impossible. In b) (line 20), after 'free school meals' insert 'or who are young carers', and after 'are ineligible' insert 'or who do not have caring responsibilities'. After iii) (line 42), insert: iv) Young carers should be proactively identified and supported with their education and their caring responsibilities so they can have the same educational opportunities as their peers. In v) (line 46), after 'classroom' insert 'and school'. After C. (line 56), insert: D. Forty percent of young carers report that they are not getting the help they need to balance their caring responsibilities and their education. In 4. (line 70), after 'school attendance' insert 'and make schools more inclusive'. After 8. (line 83), insert: 9. Improving identification and support for young carers by: a) Developing a cross-Government Carers Strategy with clear actions to improve support for young carers. b) Ensuring that all schools have a young carers lead and a young carers policy so that all young carers know what support is available inside and outside of school. Amendment Two ALDC Mover: Lucy Nethsingha. Summation: to be announced. In 1. (line 60), after 'not in school' insert 'and provide the funding for councils to compile these records'. F15 Parliamentary Parties Q1. Submitted by Sam Cook and Emily Tester What more can we do as a party to tackle the rise of Antisemitism and Islamophobia? Note: Both submitters of this composite question will be entitled to a supplementary question. Q2. Submitted by Rebecca Jones Following a meeting with Transgender members of the Liberal Democrats, what is the parliamentary party doing to advance transgender rights nationally? Q3. Submitted by Chase Smith What can the Liberal Democrats do to promote clean energy production in the UK? Q4. Submitted by Callum Robertson What can Liberal Democrat members in England and Wales do to help preserve the United Kingdom in the face of the SNP's drive to divide? Q5. Submitted by Tara Copeland Does the Parliamentary Party support the abolition of leasehold? Q6. Submitted by Jack Roberts Do we support Labour's proposed reforms to the House of Lords? Q7. Submitted by Joshua Price What more will the Party be doing to highlight the impact of real-terms Local Government Funding cuts? Sunday 17 March F16 F16 Emergency motions The following two motions have been selected for debate; there will therefore not be an emergency motions ballot. F16A Navalny 11 members Mover: Christine Jardine MP. Summation: David Chalmers. Conference notes that: I. Alexei Navalny, the leader of democratic opposition to Vladimir Putin in Russia, was killed on 16 February 2024. II. Navalny's widow, Yulia Navalnaya, has said that Navalny was 'tortured, starved, cut off and killed by Putin'. III. Navalny had been serving a sentence at an Arctic penal colony, after being arrested upon his return to Russia in January 2021, having previously spent months recovering in Germany following a Novichok assassination attempt. IV. Other democratic activists imprisoned in Russia include Vladimir Kara-Murza, British-Russian dual national and member of our sister party Yabloko; there is now a real risk that he is also killed. Conference believes that: A. Navalny's tragic death, at the hands of Putin, cannot and will not stifle the democratic ideals that he fought for. B. Navalny cast a light on the corruption of Putin and his cronies. C. Following Navalny's death, the UK Government did sanction some individuals operating the Arctic penal colony, but they have failed to sanction the entirety of the 'Navalny List'. D. Navalny's opposition to Putin is embodied in the brave resistance of the Ukrainians. E. We must be emboldened to stand with Ukraine, even as US support wavers, and help them resist Vladimir Putin's forces and liberate their territory. F. The UK must do all it can to secure the release of Vladimir Kara-Murza. Conference accordingly calls on the UK Government to: 1. Sanction the rest of the Navalny List. 2. Make it a diplomatic priority to secure the release of Vladimir Kara-Murza. 3. Support Vladimir Kara-Murza and all other British dual nationals in similar situations by enshrining in law a right for British dual nationals who have been politically detained to access UK consular services. 4. Stand with Ukraine as the country resists Putin's invasion, by: a) Beginning the seizure of frozen Russian assets in the UK, with proceeds repurposed to finance support for Ukraine. b) Immediately repurposing the interest accrued on frozen Russian assets for the good of Ukraine, following the plan set out by Belgium. 5. Take steps to tackle economic crime, including flows of money from Putin's cronies, by: a) Publishing the long overdue review of 'golden visas', the Tier 1 (Investor) visa scheme. b) Close loopholes in economic crime legislation. c) Properly fund the National Crime Agency, so that they can pursue Russian economic crime in this country. Applicability: Federal. F16B Beyond Rwanda: A Fairer Way Forward on Asylum 11 members Mover: Max Wilkinson. Summation: Danny Chambers. Conference notes with grave concern the Conservative Government's latest efforts to push through their failing Rwanda scheme amid general chaos in the Home Office - including their controversial Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill which has passed through the House of Commons in January and February and is now in the House of Lords, the sacking of David Neal as Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration in February, and near-constant political infighting. Conference further notes that: I. Under this policy, refugees removed to Rwanda will not be eligible to return to the UK, even if their asylum claims are successful. II. The Supreme Court has already ruled that the scheme is illegal due to serious deficiencies in the Rwandan asylum system. III. More than œ241 million has already been spent on the scheme, despite no flights taking off - equivalent to the cost of delivering more than 5.7 million GP appointments. IV. The Home Office's own figures show that it will cost œ69,000 more to send each asylum seeker to Rwanda, compared to if they remained in the UK. V. The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill has been described by some lawyers as "legislating for a lie", declaring Rwanda as a safe third country - despite the Supreme Court upholding that it is not and Conservative ministers own admissions it currently is not. VI. A similar Israeli program of sending asylum seekers to Rwanda resulted in most of them being smuggled out of Rwanda in the hands of criminal gangs. Conference believes that the Government's Rwanda policy: a) Has been an extraordinary waste of time and money. b) Is immoral, ineffective and incredibly expensive for the taxpayer. c) Will do nothing to stop dangerous Channel crossings or combat people smuggling and human trafficking. d) Fails to address the backlog of asylum applications that has ballooned under this Conservative Government. e) Betrays the UK's proud tradition of providing sanctuary to refugees fleeing war and persecution, and breaches our international law commitments. Conference further believes that the best way to stop these dangerous crossings and tackle people smuggling is to provide safe and legal routes to sanctuary for refugees. Conference therefore calls on the UK Government to: 1. Abandon the Rwanda scheme and related legislation with immediate effect. 2. Reaffirm its commitment to upholding important human rights legislation, including the European Convention on Human Rights, the UN Refugee Convention and the Human Rights Act. 3. Fix the broken asylum system by establishing a new, dedicated unit to make decisions quickly and fairly. 4. Provide safe and legal routes to sanctuary for refugees from all countries, as outlined in policy motion Safe and Legal Routes to Save Lives. 5. Manage the costs of the asylum system by giving asylum seekers the right to work and introducing a service standard of three months for all but the most complex claims to be processed. Applicability: Federal. F17 Federal Board Q1. Submitted by John Grout Since 01/01/2020, how many in-person Conferences have been cancelled to date, and what is the total aggregate financial cost to the Party of those cancellations? Given the number of conference cancellations in recent years, and the possibility of yet another in the autumn, on what grounds does the Federal Board believe that any party member should arrange to attend any party conference ever again? Q2. Submitted by Abrial Jerram, Michael Berwick-Gooding, and Adam Roberston How successful have you been in achieving the objective of "developing a compelling and distinctive narrative" and how important is it compared to the other organisational priorities listed in the report? The slogan 'For a Fair Deal' could be open up to interpretation, and therefore could mean something different to each individual. When we are talking about 'Fairness' is it the overarching theme of equality of opportunity or economic equality? Note: All three submitters of this composite question will be entitled to a supplementary question. Q3. Submitted by Daniel Jones Given the advice to all members regarding antisemitism and the risks of being drawn into conspiracist thinking online (especially on social media), what is the board doing to support members (especially those involved in vetting council candidates) in spotting and being aware of such arguments? Q4. Submitted by John Grout How can we give LGBT+ candidates confidence and support given the culture wars the opponents of the Lib Dems are likely to be fighting on at the General Election? Q5. Submitted by Mark Johnston In cases that were already several years old, why did it take six months for the dismissal of eight so-called 'transphobia' complaints to be communicated to the members concerned? In the Board's view, do these unjustified delays and associated uncertainties caused by the party constitute victimisation within the meaning of Section 27 of the Equality Act? Q6. Submitted by Zoe Hollowood Has the Federal Board been given direct access to, and discussed, the legal advice commissioned by the party after the adoption of the Revised Definition of Transphobia? If not, why not? Q7. Submitted by Zoe Hollowood Has all the expert legal advice commissioned by the party into the Definition of Transphobia consistently confirmed that the holding and expressing of gender critical beliefs by members is protected by law under the Equality Act and the European Convention on Human Rights (Arts 9 & 10), and that members must be allowed to express those beliefs freely, as long as they do not harass or discriminate against trans people or create an environment that is hostile or discriminatory to trans people? Q8. Submitted by Alisdair McGregor In the wake of the case of Ali vs Green Party, is the Federal Board confident that our disciplinary procedures are robust and fit for purpose in removing transphobes and others who are not aligned with the values of the party? Q9. Submitted by Toby Keynes Will the Federal Board take steps to disassociate the Party from the incendiary and grossly offensive assertion, in a motion adopted by English Council Executive in November 2022, that allowing party members to hold and express gender critical beliefs is "equivalent to allowing the holding and expressing of white supremacist or anti-Semitic views"? Q10. Submitted by Juliet Line In 2022 the ex-Chair of FPDC commented that it was working on a whistleblowing policy for volunteers. When can members expect its completion, who has been consulted and how will it be communicated? Q11. Submitted by Toby Keynes On 19/11/2022, I volunteered to train as an e-ballot administrator. The first initial training session offered was in December 2023. It is now 15 1/2 months since I first applied, and I am still waiting to be offered the final-stage training programme. Is there a shortage of trained e-ballot administrators, and how long is the average wait time from volunteering to completing training? Q12. Submitted by Wendy Horton and Dionne Daniel Could Federal Board put the 2022 presidential hustings videos online and link them to the 2022 President election results page as they seem to have been taken down after briefly being available on you tube? Note: Both submitters of this composite question will be entitled to a supplementary question. F18 Campaign for Gender Balance Q1. Submitted by Alison Jenner Numerous councillors and local party executives have told me their experiences of sex discrimination within the party, from being advised not to stand due to having young children, to refusal to make accommodations regarding meeting times. What is the Party doing to support women in this position, educate other councillors and exec members and help stop this happening? F19 Federal Campaigns and Elections Committee Q1. Submitted by John Grout and Adam Roberston What more support can be given to T2/Moving Forward seats to help as many as possible become the target seats of the future? How are the Federal Communications and Elections Committee ensuring that Development and Start-Up seats are being supported for the General Election, with the County Council Elections being the main priority and the potential for many Liberal Democrats being elected to County Councils in 2025 and being in power? Note: Both submitters of this composite question will be entitled to a supplementary question. Q2. Submitted by Abrial Jerram What is the process for a constituency that does not hit targets and does this process differ between held seats and non-held seats? Q3. Submitted by Chris Butler Why has the committee not disseminated the findings of the Campaigns Innovation Fund that it commissioned on the effectiveness of digital and non-digital campaigning? Q4. Submitted by Abrial Jerram How many seats are in each tier and do you expect these numbers to change between now and the election? F23 The Funding Crisis in Local Government The FCC has agreed to make the following drafting amendment to the motion: In a) (line 36), after 'leisure centres,' insert 'swimming pools,'. Amendment One Sheffield Mover: Andrew Sangar. Summation: Joe Otten. After v) (line 25), insert: vi) Councils are struggling to fund the increase in the need for homeless placements and supported accommodation. After b) (line 32), insert: c) The government's approach to encourage councils to use reserves and capital receipts to subsidise their revenue expenditure is fundamentally wrong and unsustainable. After e) (line 42), insert: f) Liberal Democrat councillors up and down the country have a strong record in community engagement and delivering good quality, value for money local public services to respond to local need. Conference App Download our Conference App for Spring Conference. With great features such as: My Schedule (the easiest way to plan your conference). A searchable Fringe Guide and Agenda. Conference Extra and Conference Daily as they are published. To download the App visit App Store or Google Play Conference Rally Brought to you by Ed Davey's Tory Removals Main Hall - Friday 15 March - 6.30 pm Agenda Information update Separate votes The request for a separate vote should be submitted using the online form at: www.libdems.org.uk/conference_submissions or in writing to the Speakers' Table in the auditorium. Applying to speak To make a speech in a debate you must: l complete a speaker's card, collected from and returned to the Speakers' Table at the front of the auditorium, an auditorium steward or the Information Desk; or l submit an electronic speaker's card, from Monday 11 March up to one hour before the start of the debate, online at www.libdems.org.uk/speakers-card Question & answer sessions Any voting member may submit a concise question (maximum 25 words) on any subject for the Leader's Q&A (F10). Questions will be selected by the chair and the questioner will be able to ask their question via the interventions microphone. Questions may be submitted by 13.00 Monday 4 March using the online form at: www.libdems.org.uk/conference_submissions Questions may also be submitted on a form collected from and returned to the Speakers' Table in the auditorium by 12.50 Saturday 16 March. Electronic speaker's cards Speaker's cards can be submitted online up to one hour before the start of the debate at: www.libdems.org.uk/speakers-card Exhibition update Exhibitors listed by stand number Updated list of exhibitors by stand number: 1 LGBT+ Liberal Democrats 2 Prater Raines 2B The Liberal Democrats in England 3 Young Liberals 4 Liberal Democrat History Group 5 Rights-Liberties-Justice / Liberal Democrat Lawyers Association 6 Liberal Democrat Education Association 7 National Education Union 8 Social Liberal Forum 9 Liberal Democrat Campaign for Race Equality 10 Liberal Democrat Christian Forum 11 Liberal Democrat Friends of Palestine 12 LibSTEMM (formerly ALDES) 13 Humanist and Secularist Liberal Democrats 14 Liberal Democrat Disability Association 15 Action for Land Tax and Economic Reform (ALTER) 16&17 Election Workshop 18 Liberal Democrats for Seekers of Sanctuary 19 Liberal Democrat Friends of Kashmir 20 National Liberal Club 21 Liberator Magazine 22 Liberal Software 23&24 Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors 25 Liberal Democrat Women 26 Green Liberal Democrats 27 Liberal Democrats Abroad 28&29 RISO / SHARP 30 Liberal Democrat Friends of Ukraine and Liberal Democrat Friends of the Armed Forces 31 Liberal Reform 32 League Against Cruel Sports 33 Whittington Moor Limited / The Delivery Group 34 Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform LD Image Lib Dem Image Directory of exhibitors The following exhibitor is additional to those listed in the Agenda & Directory: Liberal Reform Liberal Reform exists within the Liberal Democrats to promote personal liberty and a fair society supported by free, open and competitive markets. We seek to make these values central to Party policy. www.liberalreform.org.uk Stand 31 Fringe update Updates to the fringe listings in the Agenda & Directory Fringe Saturday morning 08.00-09.00 This event has been cancelled: Quiet Reflection Novotel York Centre, Meeting Room 5 Regional Social Events at Conference look out for and join: London Liberal Democrats Lunch Saturday 16 March, 13.00-14.00. Mason's Arms, 6 Fishergate, York YO10 4AB. Join us in a cosy pub with fireplace that also serves vegetarian dishes. 4 mins walk from York Barbican. Space has been booked for lunch. Western Counties Drinks Saturday 16 March, from 18.15. Postern Gate, 90 Piccadilly, York YO1 9NX. Modern pub in castle-like building for real ales and pub grub. Weatherspoon pub. 4 mins walk from York Barbican. Spokespeople Q&A sessions There will be three Q&A sessions at conference where you can ask questions of our spokespeople. Please note changes to times and speakers as below. Health Q&A Saturday 16 March 13.00-14.00 with Daisy Cooper; Chair Eleanor Kelly. Treasury Q&A Saturday 16 March 14.30-15.30 with Sarah Olney; Chair Hannah Kitching. Environment Q&A Sunday 17 March 11.00-12.00 with Tim Farron and John Russell; Chair: Duncan Brack. All sessions will take place in the Lendal Room, York Barbican. Internet access Free wifi is available at all our official venues: York Barbican Network name: Barbican Free Wi-Fi No password required Novotel York Centre Network name: Novotel Please insert your email address and click 'Connection' in yellow Hilton York Network name: Hilton Honors Please click on 'I have a Promotional Code' and insert 'March2024' Live stream The conference will be streamed live, in case you miss any sessions or want to watch again, at: libdems.org.uk/conference-live The Federal Conference Committee Nick da Costa, Chair. Jon Ball, Vice Chair. Cara Jenkinson, Vice Chair. Mark Pack, Party President. Dr Sam Barratt. Duncan Brack . Belinda Brooks-Gordon. Thom Campion. Wendy Chamberlain MP. Fraser Graham. Alison Jenner. Eleanor Kelly. Hannah Kitching. Chris Maines. Paul McGarry. Simon McGrath. Shaffaq Mohammed. Lucas North. Matt Palmer. Kath Pinnock. Jennie Rigg. Alison Rouse. Darryl Smalley. FCC non-voting members: Mike Dixon, Federal Chief Executive. Shana Toten, Staff Rep. The Federal Policy Committee Ed Davey MP, Chair. Lucy Nethsingha, Vice Chair. Jeremy Hargreaves, Vice Chair. Dick Newby, Vice Chair. Mark Pack, Party President. Ulysse Abbate. Duncan Brack. Belinda Brooks-Gordon. Sally Burnell. Christine Cheng. Tara Copeland. Helen Cross. Stephen Harte. Martin Horwood. Chloe Hutchinson. Elizabeth Jewkes. Mark Johnston. Susan Juned. Mohsin Khan. Janey Little. Keith Melton. Layla Moran MP. Helen Morgan MP. Kath Pinnock. Jenny Randerson. Ben Rich. Luke Richards. Catherine Royce. John Shreeve. Julie Smith. Peter Thornton. Claire Tyler. FPC non-voting members: Nick da Costa, FCC rep. David Chalmers, FIRC rep. Humaira Sanders, LDCRE rep. Federal Conference Committee helpdesk Members of the FCC will be available to give advice at the Information Desk in York Barbican at the following times: Saturday 16 March 11.30-12.30 and Saturday 16 March 15.00-16.00. The Federal Board Mark Pack, Party President. Amna Ahmad, Vice President (Ethnic Minorities). Ed Davey MP, Leader. Alison Rouse, Chair, English Party. Jenni Lang, Convenor, Scottish Party. Tim Sly, President, Welsh Party. Jeremy Hargreaves, Vice-Chair, FPC rep. Nick da Costa, FCC Chair. Kath Pinnock, FCEC Chair. Mike Cox, FFRC Chair. Claire Hudson, FPDC Chair. Chris White, Principal Local Authority Councillor. Janey Little, Young Liberals Chair. Neil Fawcett. Lucy Nethsingha. Callum Roberston. Federal Board helpdesk The FB helpdesk is situated by the Information Desk in York Barbican - members of the Federal Board will be available to have strategic conversations with members at the following times: Saturday 16 March 11.30-12.30 and Saturday 16 March 15.00-16.00.