Clearprint Conference Daily
Autumn Conference, Brighton Sunday 20 September
Information from the Federal Conference Committee for Sunday 20 September. Please read in conjunction with the Agenda & Directory and Conference Extra.

Timetable and Contents
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If no page number is indicated next to a session or item of business, there are no changes or additional information to that in the Conference Agenda & Directory or Conference Extra.
Please note that timings are approximate only. Some items of business may occur earlier than indicated. Members wishing to speak are requested to submit a speaker's card as soon as possible.

Report back for Saturday 19 September
F2	Report: Federal Conference Committee
F3	Report: Federal Policy Committee




Approved Approved

F4	Policy Motion: Mortality of Children in Temporary Accommodation
F5	Policy Motion: Securing the Future of Rural and Coastal
F6	Policy Motion: Liberal Democrats Mean Business
F8	Policy Motion: Tackling the Maternity Crisis
F9	Policy Motion: Strength, Resilience and Partnership: Securing Britain and Defending Liberalism in Turbulent Times (International Security Policy Paper)
F11	Policy Motion: Rebuilding Health Visiting and Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life
F12	Policy Motion: Fixing Family Courts F14	Policy Motion: Local Candidate Safety

Passed (Amendments One
and Two passed)
Passed (Amendments One
and Two passed)
Passed (Amendments One, Two and
Three passed)
Passed (Amendments One, Two and
Three passed)


Passed (Amendments One, Two, Three and Four passed)

Passed (Amendments One
                           and Two passed) Passed (Amendments One and Two passed) Passed (Amendment One passed)








Spokespeople Q&A Sessions
There will be three Q&A sessions at conference where you can ask questions of our spokespeople. The session on Sunday will take place in the Brighton Centre and the session on Monday will take place in The Grand Hotel.
Sunday 20 September
16.30-17.30: Helen Morgan MP and Baroness Pidgeon on Health and Care.
Brighton Centre, Meeting Room 1D; Chair: Charley Hasted.
Monday 21 September
16.30-17.30: Lisa Smart MP and Lord Pack on Political and Constitutional Reform.
The Grand Hotel, Charlotte Room; Chair: Jennie Rigg.


Speaking and Voting at Conference
Applying to speak
To make a speech in a debate you must:
• 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
• submit an electronic speaker's card up to one hour before the start of the debate, online at:
www.libdems.org.uk/speakers-card



Completing a speaker's card
When completing a speaker's card, remember:
1 Submit your card well in advance.
The chair and aide team for the debate will meet well in advance to plan the debate - sometimes the previous day.
2 Fill in your card completely.
Complete the back of the card as well as the front. These sections are needed for the chair and aide to balance the debate, so they can call people with relevant experience and avoid a string of people making the same point.
3 Make sure it's readable!
Don't fill every square centimetre of the card, and write legibly - the easier you make it for the chair and aide to read the card the more likely you will be called.





Live Stream
The conference will be streamed live. In case you miss any sessions or want to watch again, go to www.LibDems.org.uk/conference-live

Sunday 20 September
F15	Making Music Matter Amendment One
16 members
Mover:	Cllr Charlie Clinton Summation:	Josh Matthews
After line 27 insert new g):
g)	UK Music has created the Local Music Action Charter to support local authorities to develop and strengthen music in their communities.
After line 45 insert new VI.:
VI. Local authorities have an important role to play in supporting local music ecosystems, including venues, education, skills, culture and the night-time economy.
After line 112, insert:
Conference further calls on local councils to write and adopt a Local Music Action Charter tailored to their area, including but not limited to:
A. Appointing a Local Music Champion and working with musicians, venues, promoters and community organisations to develop their local music ecosystem.
B. Embedding music into local plans recognising its role in supporting thriving town centres, the night-time economy and culture-led tourism.
C. Protecting and expanding grassroots music spaces, including by bringing empty or underused spaces into cultural use where practical.
D. Widening access to music and supporting community and grassroots music activity, particularly for young people and those from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds.
E. Supporting local pathways into music and creative careers through Music Hubs, education providers, local employers and skills strategies.


Sunday 20 September cont
Amendment Two
16 members
Mover:	Cllr Dr Mohsin Khan Summation:	Abrial Jerram
After line 27 insert new g)-i):
g) Evidence indicates that ethnic minority groups are underrepresented at later stages of music education and progression.
h) National data on participation and progression in music education are fragmented and inconsistent, making it difficult to assess disparities by underrepresented ethnic groups, particularly when this may overlap with socioeconomic characteristics.
i) Longitudinal data are lacking, with limited or no tracking of progression from outreach to sustained participation in lessons or ensembles for underrepresented ethnic groups.
After line 73, insert:
Conference further calls on the government to improve equality, transparency and the evidence base in music by:
I. Establishing standardised national data collection on participation and progression in music education, with anonymised regional and Music Hub-level reporting published through a national dashboard.
II. Adding proportionate music participation data to the Department for Education School Census, enabling participation to be analysed alongside existing pupil characteristics including ethnicity and eligibility for free school meals.
III. Developing longitudinal analysis of progression from initial outreach and participation into sustained tuition, ensemble participation and further music education, with findings published in anonymised aggregate form.
Background briefing
This motion develops new policies on the UK music industry and AI content. It builds on existing policy as set out in the 2024 General Election Manifesto, For a Fair Deal, policy paper 158, Science, Innovation and Technology, and policy motion A Fair Deal for Musicians (2024).


Sunday 20 September cont
F16	Getting the Nation Walking, Wheeling and Cycling
Summation: Cllr Adrian Betteridge
Amendment One
Lib Dem Women
Mover:	Donna Harris Summation:	Cllr Hina Bokhari AM
After line 32 insert new viii) and ix):
viii) 83% of school trips of between two and under five miles are made by children aged 5-10 years old were by car according to the 2024/25 National Travel Survey.
ix) 22 per cent of parents whose children did not currently walk to school said safer roads would encourage their children to walk more, according to DfT National Survey 2024.
After line 52 insert new d):
d)	Children should be able to develop independence and confidence through walking, wheeling and cycling, and the design of local streets should enable children to travel safely and independently, including to school, where appropriate.
At end of line 81,insert: '...,while ensuring consultation with children, parents, carers and schools, and with appropriate consideration given to accessibility and the needs of disabled children and parents.'
After 6., insert new 7.:
7.	Calls for further government support for the Bikeability scheme, with specific focus on the environment in which children live, enabling them to confidently travel by bike whether they live in the city or the country.

Amendment Two
LDDA
Mover:	Katharine Macy Summation:	To be announced
After line 42, insert new xi):


Sunday 20 September cont
xi) According to Transport For All, only 20 per cent of disabled people feel they can easily access public spaces, walk, or wheel around their local areas. 77 per cent experience poor pavement surfaces, 65 per cent pavement clutter and 57 per cent pavement parking which forces them to go into the road or turn home.
After line 52, insert new d) and e):
d) Active travel infrastructure must be designed to be accessible from the onset, not retrofitted as an afterthought.
e) A strategy for walking, wheeling and cycling that does not work for disabled people is not a national strategy, but a partial one.
After line 81, insert new 7. and 8.:
7. Accessible design standards for all new walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure including but not limited to dropped kerbs, tactile paving, adequate paving width and regular rest points with benches.
8. A requirement that disabled people's organisations be formally consulted on the design of all active travel schemes receiving central government funding.

Amendment Three
Young Liberals
Mover:	Cllr Rory Clark Summation:	Louis Cummings
After line 45 insert new b):
b)	Safe and continuous active travel networks are particularly important for young people and those who cannot access cars, while the proliferation of e-bikes is making longer active travel journeys feasible for more people.
Delete lines 59 to 62 and insert:
2. A national 'Greenways' program to create traffic-free walking, wheeling and cycling routes between villages and rural communities and nearby cities, towns, places of education and transport hubs, including by converting disused railways corridors which cannot be brought back into use, towpaths and other redundant infrastructure.


Sunday 20 September cont
After line 62 insert new 3.:
3. A programme to deliver continuous, physically segregated cycle routes where traffic speed or volume makes cycling alongside motorised vehicles unsafe, with priority given to routes used by young people to reach schools, colleges, towns and city centres and public transport hubs.
Background briefing
This motion develops new policies on active travel. It builds on existing policy as set out in the 2024 General Election Manifesto, For a Fair Deal, and policy motion This Land is Our Land (2025).

F17	Defending Democracy (Democracy Policy Paper)
Hall Aide: Dr Chris Adams (Vice Chair, Federal Conference Committee)
The FCC has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion: In line 3, after 'money' insert '- including untraceable cryptocurrencies -'. In line 30, delete 'G. A Federal Britain' and insert 'G. A Federal UK'.
In line 53 insert a comma after 'income', and insert 'significant' between 'or'
and 'gifts'.
In line 61 after 'individuals,' insert 'regardless of their country of residence'.

Amendment One
12 members
Mover:	Lord Pack (Lords Spokesperson for Political Reform) Summation:	To be announced
After line 70, insert new e):
e) Improving the regulation of lobbying by including inhouse activities and non-VAT registered firms, bringing transparency information about lobbying together in one place, and increasing the sanctions for breaches of lobbying rules, as recommended by the Ethics and Integrity Commission's report, Lobbying, Business Appointment Rules


Sunday 20 September cont
and Disclosure.
After line 83, insert new d):
d)	Implementing the advice of the Electoral Commission and the Rycroft Review by consolidating election law, replacing the current fragmented, complex and fragile provisions with a modern, robust and clear version.

Amendment Two
12 members
Mover:	Cllr Antony Hook Summation:	Cllr Mike Ross
After line 138 insert:
Conference additionally calls for the introduction of the 'Clacton Clause' to relevant electoral legislation, under which Members of Parliament would be forbidden from standing in a by-election they have triggered if they are under investigation by parliamentary authorities or a statutory body.

Amendment Three
12 members
Mover:	Victoria Collins MP (Spokesperson for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Summation:	To be announced
After line 138, insert:
Conference notes that:
A. The Electoral Commission's 2019 post-election research found that 72% of people said it was important to know who produced the political information they see online, yet only 29% said they were able to find out.
B. There is currently no UK legislation requiring AI-generated content - including AI-generated political campaign material - to be labelled.
Conference calls on the Government to improve transparency around


Sunday 20 September cont
the technology, data and methods used in online political campaigning, by introducing legislation that:
i) Requires anyone paid or otherwise financially incentivised to produce, endorse or amplify political content - including through 'clipping' and influencer networks - to disclose the payment or incentive and its source on the content itself, whether or not the content is distributed through a platform's advertising system.
ii) Requires AI-generated or synthetically altered political content to be clearly labelled.
There will be a separate vote on the words '... with a Royal Commission to develop specific figures; the Commission should also consider it's approach to corporate donations.' in lines 62-64.
Background briefing
This motion and the accompanying policy paper develop new policies on the foreign interference, undue influence, ethical standards, and democratic participation. It builds on existing policy as set out in the 2024 General Election Manifesto, For a Fair Deal, policy paper 145, Democracy and Public Debate, and policy motions Fair Votes Now (2024), and Restore Standards in Public Life (2023).

F20	Federal Board Report: questions and accountability Q1. Artie Khovanov
What concrete steps will we be taking to better reach urban voters in future election campaigns?

Q2. John Grout
We had another success in the 2026 local elections, but there are too many areas where we are stuck or not on the map, such as Glasgow, Nottingham, and Carmarthenshire. How will our new strategy address these Lib Dem deserts?


Sunday 20 September cont
Q3. Alisdair Calder McGregor
The Federal Board report claims that Spring Conference incurs losses; How is this affected by the breakdown of Conference Office resource allocations?

Q4. Rebecca Jones
What steps they are taking to support a) target and b) non-target seats who are struggling with low amounts of volunteer activists.

Q5. Katherine Howells
The Complaints Process report submitted to conference states (at page 55 of the reports document) that 5 party members have received 'training' as a sanction resulting from a complaint. Can the Federal Board confirm i) the process by which such training is arranged, including how the training provider is selected, ii) how many of the 5 members referred for training have received the training to date and iii) the wait times for each member from the complaints outcome to the training being delivered.

Q6. Tony Vickers
Having lacked IT support for AOs since rule changes in 2021, will there be an extended 'grace period' for those needing it for full compliance?

Q7. Simon Hughes
What are our targets for total party a) members, b) supporters and c) Young Liberals by September 2027, and the most effective ways to achieve this?

Q8. John Grout
Do you agree that all meaningful decision-making power in the Liberal Democrats should be concentrated in 66 Buckingham Gate, and if not, what steps is the Board/President taking to ensure that efforts to do so will fail?


Sunday 20 September cont
Q9. John Grout
Do you feel there is a gap in the party's disciplinary processes when it comes to groups of members that are not incorporated as AOs? How can the process be improved to ensure that such groups, or their leaders where they are members, can be held accountable by the party for their actions?

Q10. Alisdair Calder McGregor
What items are you including as 'Conference Expenditures' for each Conference which a reasonable person may question if they are truly so?

Q11. Alisdair Calder McGregor
What price does the Federal Board place on our Party Democracy?

Q12. Mark Johnston
Further to his response given at York, will the President say when the new Federal Party Whistle-blower Scheme will be (i) posted on the party website, and (ii) communicated to party members?

Q13. John Grout
Given a slew of high-profile out-of-court settlements and capitulations, is the CEO's strategy of not contesting court claims by those hostile to our party's aims and objectives being judged a success, and if so, by what metric?

Q14. Zoe Hollowood
On the Lib Dem website it states that the Campaign for Gender Balance (CGB) exists to develop and support women interested in standing for public office within the Liberal Democrats (e.g. through the use of specific training programmes). Does the Board recognise that in doing this the Campaign for Gender Balance is providing positive action measures as per the Equality Act 2010 section 158?


Sunday 20 September cont
F21	Federal International Relations Committee Report: questions and accountability
Q1. John Grout
What do you think is the Liberal Democrats' biggest reputational risk amongst our international sister parties, and how can we address that?

F22	Federal Council Report: questions and accountability Q1. John Grout
In your view, what are the greatest challenges to the effectiveness of the Federal Council, and how can these be overcome?

Q2. Alisdair Calder McGregor
Does the Federal Council think that the requirements for the Federal Council to actually do anything are too high to be practical?

F23	Vice President's Report: questions and accountability Q1. Artie Khovanov
Might we need to deprioritise candidates' localist credentials when making selections, in order to improve diversity, particularly in ethnicity and class?

F23A	Federal Appeal Panel Report
Mover: Harry Samuels
Please note this item was inadvertently omitted from the Agenda, but the report of the Appeals Panel is included in the Reports document. The Federal Appeals Panel Report is not subject to a vote.
Q1. Zoe Hollowood
In your report you cite case 74 on quota 2.5 was not allowed to proceed as it was then considered 'premature and potentially academic.' This case was brought after the former Federal Board decided initially not to act on concerns raised about the lawfulness of quota 2.5 and Federal Conference voted to 'move to next business' rather than amend the quota. The report on


Sunday 20 September cont
case 76 then highlighted further issues as the Returning Officer tried to change quota 2.5 to ensure compliance with the Equality Act and this was ruled outwith their powers. On reflection is the Party missing a mechanism to handle such issues in the future to ensure we do not have a repeat of the delays in the Federal elections? Does the FAP need amended powers or does the onus lie elsewhere?

F24	Party Strategy - Turning Electoral Breakthrough into Lasting Liberal Strength
The Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion:
In line 15, after 'members,' insert 'registered supporters,'.
In line 62, after 'Reform' insert 'UK'.
After line 91, insert:
Conference notes that, once agreed, the party strategy will be followed by detailed plans for its delivery.
After line 147, insert '...; this narrative will form a key part of the pre- manifesto developed by the Federal Policy Committee, which will be debated by conference, and should underpin the party's continuing programme of policy development.'
In line 190, after 'members,' delete ' volunteers,' and insert 'registered supporters'.
In line 202, delete 'developing' and insert 'the development of'.
In line 262, after 'members,' delete ' volunteers,' and insert 'registered supporters'.
In line 281, delete 'participating in roles within the party' and insert
'participating in internal roles'

Amendment One
12 members
Mover:	Alex Neil Summation:	Richard Huzzey


Sunday 20 September cont
In line 80 after 'Liberalism' insert '...while stopping Reform UK, Restore, and the far right from being in power at any level.'
In line 118, after 'Reform UK' delete 'and the far right' and insert ',
...Restore, and other parties of the far right, as determined by the Federal Board,...'

Amendment Two
Southwark Borough
Mover:	Cllr Victor Chamberlain Summation:	Cllr Rachel Bentley
Delete lines 127-140 and insert:
f) Build a diverse, dynamic, inclusive and modern party rooted in core Liberal values and with radical economic and social policies, better equipped to lead on local, national and international issues relevant to those living in cities and towns as well as those in suburban and rural Britain, and with reactivated campaigning, engagement and recruitment attractive to secondary school, sixth form, college and university students, apprentices and those not in employment, education and training and those underrepresented in decisions, politics and public life.

Amendment Three
LDCRE, LDDA, LGBT+, Young Liberals Mover:	Abrial Jerram Summation:	Janice Turner
After line 152 insert new c):
c)	Challenging prejudice against, scapegoating of and attacks on minority groups directly whenever employed by far-right populist elements in our society, fully committing ourselves to defending the dignity and equal rights of those targeted, and refusing to allow such politics to be normalised and set the terms of political debate.

Amendment Four
Lib Dem Women
Mover:	Donna Harris Summation:	Elizabeth Jewkes


Sunday 20 September cont
In line 199, after 'possible opportunity,' insert '...while recognising that early selection can create barriers to diversity and equity, and committing to develop, implement and monitor a plan to mitigate these disadvantages, ensure equitable access to opportunities to stand for election, and provide flexible routes into candidacy;...'
After line 221, insert new viii):
viii) Recognising and addressing the abuse and intimidation faced by candidates and campaigners, including abuse based on sex, gender reassignment, sexuality, disability, race and including all other protected characteristics, and ensuring that appropriate support, advice and protection are available so that people from all backgrounds feel able to stand for public office and participate fully in political activity.
After line 238, insert 'with clear targets, measurable milestones and regular reporting to Federal Board on progress towards gender parity among candidates, elected representatives and other relevant areas of party representation.'
After line 238, insert new h):
h)	Developing and in implementing a specific action plan to increase the number of women standing for and being selected for winnable and target seats.


Fringe Updates
Fringe Sunday morning 08.00-09.00
The following fringe session is additional to those listed in the Directory:
Energy UK, LDNC & Green Lib Dems
Local Climate Action: Networking Breakfast
Local authorities have a vital role in delivering the UK's climate ambitions. This local government networking breakfast offers a chance to share best practice, discuss solutions to challenges, and explore how you can maximise the impact of your climate leadership.
The Grand, Alexandra Room
Invitation Only


Fringe Sunday early lunchtime 12.15-13.15
The following fringe sessions are additional to those listed in the Directory:
Habitat for Humanity Great Britain
Using forgotten buildings to create affordable homes and protect green belt
Every community has buildings that could make great homes but which sit unused. Join a panel of experts to explore how this can be done, and what more is needed to tackle the housing crisis while protecting green spaces.
www.habitatforhumanity.org.uk www.linkedin.com/company/habitat-for-humanity-great-britain
Brighton Centre, Meeting Room 1D	

Chester Zoo, WWF & LDNC
Development and Deforestation: A Liberal Internationalist Response
Cuts to international development are putting people and the planet at risk. Join Monica Harding and Pippa Heylings to discuss how Liberal Democrats can lead the fight against deforestation and support global conservation organisations tackling the climate and nature crisis.
The Grand, Alexandra Room




Fringe Sunday early lunchtime 12.15-13.15 contd.

The following fringe session has been amended:
Institute for Government
In Conversation with Daisy Cooper MP
With weak business investment a chronic condition of the UK economy, this event explores Liberal Democrat proposals to break up the Treasury and create a Ministry of Growth to boost investment across the UK economy and "get Britain growing again".
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk Grand Hotel, Regent Room

The following fringe session is additional to those listed in the Directory:
Google
Google AI Academy
Google's AI Academy is AI training for those in the public sector, best suited for local councillors. The training will cover AI basics, and an overview of how to effectively use Google's AI tools to support your work.
DoubleTree Hilton, Osborne Room


Fringe Sunday late lunchtime 13.45-14.45
The following fringe session has been amended:
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Tackling the drivers of hunger and hardship - a liberal approach to reforming our social security system
From ill health, an expensive private rented sector, and a lack of good jobs locally, our social security system is put under pressure from failures elsewhere. Join JRF, Trussell, and Liberal Democrats to hear how focusing on these root causes can help build a fairer, sustainable future, and an alternative to blunt cuts.
www.jrf.org.uk X - @jrf_uk
Brighton Centre, Meeting Room 1A




Fringe Sunday late lunchtime 13.45-14.45 contd.

The following fringe session is additional to those listed in the Directory:
LDNC
The People's Emergency Briefing
The UK faces a growing climate and nature emergency. Watch the powerful People's Emergency Briefing film, then discuss what it means for our lives, economy and future, and how Liberal Democrats can lead the response with expert speakers and campaigners.
The Grand, Alexandra Room


Fringe Sunday early evening 18.15-19.15
The following fringe sessions are additional to those listed in the Directory:
More in Common, National Trust, WWF, Wildlife Trusts, Woodland Trust and RSPB
Nature and Liberal Democrats - Growing the Base
As the Liberal Democrats look to build on their 2024 electoral gains, we'll pore over exclusive new polling and focus group insights to explore what nature means for the party's next phase. Nature is central to why many back the Liberal Democrats - but can it help grow the party's coalition rather than simply consolidate it?
Brighton Centre, Meeting Room 1B



Octopus Energy & LDNC
Question Time with Daisy Cooper: Energy Bills Edition
Test your knowledge in our live, interactive Energy Bills Question Time with Daisy Cooper MP. Discover why bills remain so high and hear how the Liberal Democrats would tackle voters' top concern: the cost of energy.
The Grand, Alexandra Room



Fringe Sunday early evening 18.15-19.15 contd.

The following fringe session has been amended:
Humanist and Secularist Liberal Democrats
Anti-rights: the threat from Christian Nationalism and the far right
What is Christian Nationalism and how is it influencing politics in the UK? From anti-abortion campaigns, to attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, antirights movements are gaining ground and we must urgently respond. Our panellists, including Andrew Copson (Humanists UK) and Louise McCudden (MSI Reproductive Choices), will consider how we defend and promote human rights and liberal values.
DoubleTree by Hilton, Gloucester Room


Fringe Sunday mid evening 19.45-21.00
The following fringe session is additional to those listed in the Directory:
Green Alliance, LDNC & Green Lib Dems
The Climate and Nature Reception!
Wrap up Climate and Nature Day with leading environmental voices shaping the future of climate and nature policy. And hear from Pippa Heylings MP on whether the Liberal Democrats are the only real green party in Britain.
The Grand, Alexandra Room