Conference Extra
Autumn Conference - Brighton 19-22 September
This clear print / large text version of the Conference Extra matches as closely as
possible the text of the published Extra. Page number cross references are correct
within this clear print document. Some information may appear in a different
place from its location in the published Extra. Complex layouts and graphics have
been omitted.

Updates to the Conference Agenda and Directory, information from the Federal
Conference Committee (FCC), amendments, emergency motions, and questions
to reports. Please read in conjunction with the Conference Agenda and 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.

Contents
Agenda Extra:
Saturday 19 September
Sunday 20 September
Monday 21 September
Tuesday 22 September
Emergency Motions Ballot
Speakers Cards Information
Directory Extra
Federal Conference Committee
Federal Policy Committee
Federal Board

Agenda Extra
Updates and amendments to the Agenda printed in the Agenda & Directory.

Saturday 19 September
F2

Federal Conference Committee Report: questions and
accountability

Q1. John Grout
In recent years, Scottish Conference has trialled a 'Dragon's Den' style slot
where miniature motions could be pitched in short sessions, to be drafted
into full motions at subsequent Conferences. Are there proposals to trial this
at an upcoming Federal Conference?

Q2. Alisdair Calder McGregor
What proportion of Conference Office expenditure goes to each of Spring and
Autumn Conferences?

Q3. Alisdair Calder McGregor
Does the Conference Office provide non-Conference related support to other
areas of the Party?

Q4. Alisdair Calder McGregor
How is the expenditure on Spring, Autumn and non-Conference related
expenditure accounted for in determining the net financial returns from
Conferences?

Q5. Alisdair Calder McGregor
Does the Conference Committee's assessment of Conference finances align
with that of the Federal Board, and if not in what way does this affect the
figures?

F3

Federal Policy Committee Report: questions and accountability

Q1. Alisdair Calder McGregor
In your report you note that "FPC has decided that it will require all of our
working groups in future to take special account of issues of racial inequality
and the needs of young people."
Will FPC also commit to extending this to require all future working groups to
take special account of the needs of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans People?

F4

Mortality of Children in Temporary Accommodation

The Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting amendment
to the motion:
After c) (lines 43-47) insert a new clause d):
d) Building 380,000 new homes per year, which will reduce the need for
temporary accommodation by lowering private rents.

Amendment One
Lib Dem Women
Mover:
Cllr Hina Bokhari AM
Summation:
Donna Harris
After line 8 insert new v) and vi):
v) Women make up well over half of households living in temporary
accommodation in England,with domestic abuse, a leading driver of
homelessness.
vi) Homeless pregnant women are more likely to experience premature
birth and stillbirth, and housing instability routinely disrupts access
to continuous antenatal and postnatal care.
After line 47 insert new d):
d) No woman should be made to feel unsafe in her own home or suffer
preventable risks to her or her baby’s health, whether that home is
temporary or permanent.
After line 72 insert new 7. and 8.:

7. Introduce a duty on local authorities to carry out risk assessments for
survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, pregnant women and new
mothers and their babies to ensure they are provided safe, suitable
housing that meets their needs.
8. Improved joint working between housing authorities and NHS
maternity services, so that pregnant women in temporary
accommodation are not lost to antenatal and postnatal care as a
result of moves between placements.

Amendment Two
LDCRE
Mover:
Summation:

Humaira Sanders
To be announced

After line 28 insert new vii), viii) and ix):
vii) People from ethnic minority backgrounds are over-represented in
the population of temporary accommodation.
viii) Black-led households are disproportionately represented in
temporary accommodation – 4 per cent of the general population
but 21 per cent of households in temporary accommodation – and
stay longer, with 18 per cent there over five years compared with 8
per cent of white-led households.
ix) Data by ethnicity for the population in temporary accommodation is
not collected consistently or completely.
After line 47 insert new d):
d) Everyone, regardless of race or background, should have a stable,
permanent home.
After line 67 insert new 6. and 7.:
6. The national strategy to include specific, published targets for
reducing the disproportionate representation of ethnic minority
households in temporary accommodation, along with a clear
methodology for how these targets will be achieved.
7. Population in Temporary Accommodation data to be recorded by
ethnicity in a consistent and complete manner.

F5

Securing the Future of Rural and Coastal Education

The FCC has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion:
At the end of line 55 delete full stop and insert: ‘ – this must include SEND
provisions to ensure that the funding for SEND provision takes account
of the higher cost of delivery from rurality.’
At the end of line 84 delete full stop and insert: ‘ – this must also take SEND
transport needs into account.’

Amendment One
LDEA
Mover:
Summation:

Sarah Anderson
Joshan Parmar

At end of line 17 insert: ‘.., and poor rural public transport is a key factor in
reducing access to these crucial aspects of education.’
After line 24 insert new H.:
H. The increasing pressure on school finances has led to a reduction of
schools being used as community assets alongside their role in
educating our young people. In rural areas the large travel areas
between education centres, has meant that schools are frequently
unavailable as a community resource for education and community
activities outside school hours in the evenings or at weekends.
At end of line 96 insert: ‘...; also making it a requirement that schools work
with local authorities to facilitate after school learning, sport and cultural
activities and community engagement on school premises where these
are the only large scale community or sports facilities available in a
community.’

Amendment Two
Lancaster & Morecambe
Mover:
Rowan Fitton
Summation:
Cllr Alex Deacon
At end of line 102, insert: ‘... with additional support to be provided for

primary and secondary schools in rural and coastal areas, to cover the
additional costs related to facilitating outdoor learning sessions in their
local area and support the integration of outdoor learning within the
wider curriculum.’

F6

Liberal Democrats Mean Business

The Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting amendment
to the motion:
Delete lines 48–50 and insert:
a) Build an economy that works for everyone, including by broadening
ownership and economic power through employee ownership,
mutuals, co-operatives, community businesses, social enterprises,
community interest companies and locally rooted finance.

Amendment One
12 members
Mover:
Summation:

Chris Bowers
To be announced

After line 15 insert new E.:
E. Given the appropriate regulatory framework, business can play a
crucial role in delivering public goods, including tackling the climate
and nature emergencies.
After line 46 insert new x):
x) That the UK’s green and net-zero economy, valued at £105 billion in
Gross Value Added, is currently expanding at more than triple the
growth rate of the wider UK economy and could deliver even faster
growth and prosperity.
After line 65 insert new 2.:
2. Task the Department for Growth with producing a revised industrial
strategy that places a higher priority on supporting zero-carbon,
renewable and resource-efficient businesses, including through
innovation support, public procurement policy, tax incentives and
other measures.

Amendment Two
Kingston Borough
Mover:
Cllr Jo Barker
Summation:
Mary Reid
After line 15), insert new E.:
E. People who own and work in small and micro-businesses are
workers too; many take a low or unreliable income, particularly when
their business is in its early years or facing challenges often caused
by global factors, while still carrying responsibility for their
employees and the costs of keeping the business running, and their
circumstances should be properly considered when employment, tax
and benefits policies are developed.
In line 73, after ‘cumulative’ insert ‘, employment and regulatory’
After line 75 insert new 4.:
4. Give higher consideration to the impact of government policy on the
owners of small and micro-businesses by:
a) Taking account of the cost and cash-flow impact of statutory
employment obligations when assessing the burden on small
businesses
b) Reviewing the support that is available to the small employers
when long-term staff absence or other statutory employment
costs put an otherwise viable business at risk.
c) Reviewing how low-income owner-directors and self-employed
people are treated under Universal Credit, so that policy reflects
the income they actually receive rather than income they are
assumed to have.
d) Take into account when developing employment, tax and benefits
policy that small business owners are not only employers but
people who work in those businesses and depend on them for
their own income.

Amendment Three
12 members
Mover:
Summation:

Cllr Kate Mansfield
To be announced

After line 102, insert new 10.:
10. Replace the broken business rates system with a Commercial
Landowner Levy, ensuring that high streets everywhere in the UK are
protected; scrap the Labour Government’s unfair changes to
Agricultural and Business Property relief and introduce an active
family farm test, so that no active family farm or business is unfairly
penalised.

F8

Tackling the Maternity Crisis

Amendment One
12 members
Mover:
Summation:

Marie Goldman MP (Spokesperson for Women and Equalities)
To be announced

After line 107 insert new 14.:
14. An end to coverups of maternity scandals including through:
a) Creating a standardised framework for coroners and medical
examiners to formally refer suspected health system failings
(including systemic issues) directly to the police, the CQC, the
Department of Health and Social Care, and the HSSIB, with a duty
on coroners to participate, and statutory whistleblowing
protection for those making such referrals.
b) A duty for members of ICB and NHS Trust boards to escalate any
evidence of systemic medical malpractice to the CQC, the
Department of Health and Social Care, and the HSSIB, under a
standardised framework, alongside a collective duty on the board
to formally refer the trust to regulators if staff raise concerns
regarding malpractice; this would come alongside statutory
whistleblowing protection for those making such referrals.
c) A corresponding duty on senior leadership, including those
currently not bound by GMC or NMC regulations, to escalate any

concerns they have regarding safety or malpractice to the
relevant board.

Amendment Two
10 members
Mover:
Summation:

Laura Gordon
To be announced

After line 107 insert new 14.:
14. A review of approaches to post-natal care including staffing ratios
and the impact on women who have given birth of ‘rooming in’
policies and limitations on birthing partner visitation.

Amendment Three
12 members
Mover:
Summation:

Alison Bennett MP
To be announced

After line 107 insert new 14.:
14. The government to ensure that all pregnant women and people are
given clear, evidence-based information about group B Strep (GBS),
and that those who wish to know their GBS carriage status are able
to access an appropriate GBS-specific test through the NHS, following
an informed discussion with their healthcare professional,
supporting informed choice and equitable access to care.

F9

Strength, Resilience and Partnership: Securing Britain and Defending
Liberalism in Turbulent Times (International Security Policy Paper)

Please note this debate starts at 14.40, not 14.10 as in the printed Agenda.
Amendment One
14 members
Mover:
Summation:

Al Pinkerton MP
To be announced

At end of line 75 insert: ‘... negotiating a new Growth and Defence
Partnership with the EU, which would include:’
After line 79 insert new b):
b) Agreeing a UK-EU customs union, removing ‘rules of origins’ barriers
to trade and reducing red tape for British businesses.
After line 89 insert new d):
d) Securing the UK’s access to the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE)
programme, which would support British business and the UK’s drive
to rearm.

Amendment Two
Lambeth Borough
Mover:
Cllr Tamora Langley
Summation:
Duncan Brack
After line 119, insert new e):
e) Tackling many of the root causes of instability and conflict by
promoting global cooperation on development, including reversing
the government’s cuts in ODA and setting out a roadmap for the UK’s
return to the UN target of 0.7 per cent of GNI in ODA.

Amendment Three
14 members
Mover:
Summation:

David Chalmers
To be announced

After line 119, insert new 5.:
5. Meet the threat of Russia, by:
a) Ramping up sanctions against the Kremlin, including by banning the
provision of all UK maritime services for the export of Russian oil, gas
and coal.
b) Coordinating a Europe-wide ban on the provision of maritime
services for the export of Russian fossil fuels.

c) Expanding the Royal Navy’s interception of Russian Shadow Fleet
vessels operating illegally in or near British waters, seize and sell the
oil being transported, and send the resulting funds to Ukraine to
support its war effort.

Amendment Four
14 members
Mover:
Summation:

Baroness Smith of Newnham (Lords Spokesperson on
Defence)
To be announced

After line 119, insert:
Conference also recognises the critical importance to the UK’s national
security of fixing the perennial problem of recruitment and retention
across our armed forces, and calls on the Government to bolster support
for service personnel and veterans, including but not limited to:
I.

Creating a statutory standard for Single Living Accommodation (SLA)
which is equivalent to the Decent Homes Standard, and establishing
a duty for all SLA to meet that standard.

II. Normalising the visible appreciation of Armed Forces’ service across
British sport and culture, including by working with sporting bodies
on a ‘Salute to Service’ programme which would include more visual
and public displays of appreciation for our service personnel.
III. Requiring that medical records should be provided to veterans no
later than one month after leaving the military to ensure discharged
personnel can register with civilian GPs and continue to receive the
appropriate treatment.

F11

Rebuilding Health Visiting and Giving Every Child the Best Start in
Life

Hall Aide: Jess Brown-Fuller MP
Amendment One
10 members
Mover:
Summation:

Wendy Taylor
To be announced

After line 18 insert new h):
h) Delivering childhood vaccinations for families facing barriers to
access as part of a pilot to tackle reduced vaccination rates.
After line 111 insert new i):
i)

Expansion of the current pilot to allow all health visitors to provide
childhood vaccinations at routine visits in underserved communities.

Amendment Two
LDCRE
Mover:
Summation:

Humaira Sanders
To be announced

After line 56, insert new XI. and XII.:
XI. The 2026 review into the completeness of ethnicity data for children
in the Community Services Data Set stated that it is not sufficiently
complete or consistent in its recording of ethnicity, and so it is not
currently possible to publish data by ethnicity for public health
outcomes in the Healthy Child Programme.
XII. A 2024 study showed that babies from ethnic minority backgrounds
were less likely to get the 6-8 week health check, as were their
mothers.
In line 68, after ‘regional’ insert ‘and ethnic’.
After line 114, insert new 10.:
10. The collection and publication of robust national data on ethnicity of
children to enable the CSDS to be used for public health outcomes in
the Healthy Child Programme.

F12

Fixing Family Courts

Summation: Baroness Brinton (Lords Spokesperson for Victims and Abuse)
The Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting
amendments to the motion:
Delete lines 14-21 and insert:

iv) In July 2026, the Government introduced new rules requiring expert
witnesses in children's court cases to be regulated.
v) The ‘Child Focused Courts’ model, currently operating in 10 court
areas across England and Wales ahead of a planned national rollout,
has been described by the President of the Family Division as “far
more successful than even its most ardent supporters would have
anticipated.”
In line 27, delete ‘child welfare concerns’ and insert ‘child protection
concerns’.
In line 47, delete ‘Pathfinder Courts’ and insert ‘Child Focused Courts.’
Delete line 58.
In line 67, delete ‘publish’ and insert ‘support with the publication of…’.

Amendment One
North Cornwall
Mover:
Ben Maguire MP (Shadow Attorney General)
Summation:
To be announced
After line 13, insert new clause iv):
iv) Lack of legal aid and provider shortages mean at least one party is
unrepresented in around 81% of private law cases.
After line 33, insert new clause IV.:
IV. Legal representation is also an issue in public law cases, with over a
quarter of parties unrepresented in some areas of England and
Wales due to provider capacity constraints.
In line 44 after ‘family justice system’ insert ‘and legal aid.’
After line 68, insert new 3.:
3. Expand legal aid eligibility and address legal aid deserts in family law,
including by:
a) Reviewing and uprating annually the legal aid means test
threshold for victims of domestic abuse, and disregarding joint
assets where there is evidence of economic coercion.

b) Extending the December 2025 legal aid fee increases for housing
and immigration cases to family law.

Amendment Two
12 members
Mover:
Summation:

To be announced
To be announced

Delete lines 69-72 and insert:
3. Ensure that the Family Justice Board's upcoming Family Justice
Strategy addresses inefficiencies and regional capacity constraints, is
focused on delivering welfare outcomes for children and their
families, and contains a timeline for implementation with clear
milestones and mandatory progress reporting to allow effective
scrutiny.

F14

Local Candidate Safety

Hall Aide: Chloe Hutchinson
The Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting
amendments to the motion:
In line 2, delete ‘and Sir David Amess MP’ and insert “..., Sir David Amess
MP and former MP Ann Widdecombe’.

Amendment One
Kingston Borough
Mover:
Cllr Jo Barker
Summation:
Mary Reid
After line 58 insert new b):
b) Threats and violence do not affect everyone in the same way.
Disabled people and others may have additional needs which make it
harder for them to get away from danger, call for help or keep
themselves safe. Security arrangements should take account of this
and be adapted to the needs of the individual where necessary.

After line 123 insert new 11.:
11. The national support service should make sure that security advice
and risk assessments take account of disability and any other
circumstances which may affect an individual's safety, with
reasonable adjustments and additional security measures provided
where needed.

Sunday 20 September
F15

Making Music Matter

Amendment One
16 members
Mover:
Summation

Cllr Charlie Clinton
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.

Amendment Two
16 members
Mover:
Summation

Cllr Dr Mohsin Khan
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.

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:
Summation:

Katharine Macy
To be announced

After line 42, insert new xi):

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.

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.

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:
Summation:

Lord Pack (Lords Spokesperson for Political Reform)
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
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:
Summation:

Cllr Antony Hook
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:
Summation:

Victoria Collins MP (Spokesperson for Science, Innovation and
Technology)
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
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.

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?

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?

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?

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.
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
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 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 premanifesto 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 ‘volunteers,’ delete ‘ volunteers,’.
In line 202, delete ‘developing’ and insert ‘the development of’.
In line 262, after ‘members’ delete ‘, volunteers’.
In line 281, delete ‘participating in roles within the party’ and insert
‘participating in internal roles’

Amendment One
12 members
Mover:
Summation:

Alex Neil
Richard Huzzey

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, LDGBT+, 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
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.

Monday 21 September
F25

A Fair Shot: Reforming Recruitment

Chair: Dr Chris Adams (Vice Chair, Federal Conference Committee); Hall Aide:
Cllr Lucy Nethsingha
Amendment One
LDDA
Mover:
Summation:

Katharine Macy
To be announced

After line 16 insert new E.:
E. There is a disability employment gap of roughly 29.4 percentage
points, meaning approximately 5 million working-age disabled
people are not currently employed.
After line 57, insert new 6. and 7.:
6. Introduce 'Adjustment Passports' to record the adjustments,
modifications and equipment a disabled person has received, and
ensure that Access to Work support and equipment stays with the
person if they change jobs.
7. Implement a targeted strategy to support disabled people into work,
with a Jobs Guarantee for unemployed disabled people and specialist
disability employment support.
Amendment Two
10 members
Mover:
Summation:

Laura Gordon
To be announced

After line 16 insert new E.:
E. There is evidence that unconscious bias in hiring processes can
disadvantage women and those with names suggesting that they are
from an ethnic minority.
In line 32 after ‘code’ insert ‘ provides for name-blind recruitment and…’
F26

Introducing Anti-SLAPP legislation

Summation: Ben Maguire MP (Shadow Attorney General)

F27

Patient-Centred, Accessible and Preventive: A Liberal Vision for
Primary Health Care (Primary Healthcare Policy Paper)

Amendment One
West Suffolk
Mover:
Summation:

Andy McGowan
Ellen Nicholson

After line 5 insert ‘Conference further recognises that NHS primary
healthcare has a crucial role to play in the early identification and
support for unpaid carers’.
In line line 45 after ‘cleared’ insert ’...,and recognise that health conditions
do not just impact the person with the condition, but also family
members and unpaid carers’.
After line 61, insert new iv):
iv) Unpaid carers consistently reported poorer experiences of general
practices than non-carers, with this variation being particularly
marked for young adult carers and for Asian and Asian British carers.
After line 129, insert new 7.:
7. Improve the identification, involvement and support for unpaid
carers through primary care, including through reforms to the NHS
GP Contract and ensuring that unpaid carers are proactively included
within developing neighbourhood health models.

Amendment Two
14 members
Mover:
Summation:

Piers Allen
Cllr Dr Mohsin Khan

After line 21 insert:
Conference also notes the Government's commitment to developing
neighbourhood health services and welcomes the opportunity to
strengthen community-based care, improve outcomes and reduce health
inequalities.
After line 54 insert:

Conference also believes that neighbourhood health services should
bring together primary care, community services, mental health services,
social care, public health, housing and voluntary organisations around
the needs of local populations, with a stronger emphasis on prevention,
early intervention and supporting independence; neighbourhood health
offers promising opportunities to support early diagnosis of cancer and
other conditions, through better targeting of care to local populations
and improved access to GP services and diagnostics; Primary Care and
neighbourhood health services should also be in full alignment with
public health action on smoking and smoking cessation services.
Conference calls for:
i)

Strengthened place-based leadership and local/regional democratic
accountability in Neighbourhood Health services.

ii) Funding arrangements that encourage collaboration and investment
in prevention.
iii) Greater involvement of patients, service users, carers and local
communities in designing neighbourhood health services.
iv) Neighbourhood-level approaches to reducing health inequalities.
v) More consistent delivery of neighbourhood health services across
neighbourhoods.
vi) Embedding cancer care in the planning of neighbourhood health
services.
vii) Investment in the primary care workforce, including measures to
address GP shortages and regional disparities in GP-to-patient ratios,
recognising the vital role of primary care in prevention, early
diagnosis and timely referral.
viii) Sufficient support for primary care in the delivery of weight
management services, including sufficient resources and capacity to
manage any increased workload and deliver robust follow-up and
wraparound care, alongside the training necessary to manage
weight-related patient care and treatment pathways.

Amendment Three
Young Liberals
Mover:
Abrial Jerram
Summation:
To be announced
After line 54 insert new e):
e) Ensure access to clinically appropriate continuing treatment depends
only on clinical need, rather than where a patient lives or how their
diagnosis was funded.
In line 86 delete ‘improving shared care’ and insert ‘guaranteeing access to
shared care wherever clinically appropriate’.
After line 102 insert new e):
e) Establishing a national shared care protocol, with local NHS
commissioners required to ensure that where a patient’s GP practice
does not provide shared care, access is arranged through another
commissioned provider or an ICB-funded fallback service.

Amendment Four
12 members
Mover:
Summation:

Ben Maguire MP
To be announced

After line 129 insert:
Conference additionally calls for a walk-in urgent dental centre or ‘dental
A&E’ in every community to provide urgent dental care to anyone with
unmet treatment needs seven days a week so that nobody goes without
care.

F29

Supporting People to Age Well

Amendment One
West Suffolk
Mover:
Summation:

Andy McGowan
Jacqueline Bell

At end of line 30 insert: ‘..., with 23 per cent of carers over the age of 75
providing 50 or more hours of care each week.’
After line 30 insert new IX. and X.:
IX. One in five unpaid carers of state pension age live in poverty, a figure
that is 54% higher than for non-carers in the same age group.
X. The Better Care Fund is a key source of health and social care funding
to support older people, including carers, yet there are significant
variations in how local systems are using this funding to support
these groups of people.
After line 43, insert new iii) and iv):
iii) Unpaid carers should not live in poverty because of a lack of financial
support for carers in receipt of a state pension, when many find
themselves providing increased levels of care.
iv) Improving health and care outcomes for older people, including
carers needs to be considered a shared responsibility across health
and social care services.
After line 120, insert new 11. and 12.:
11. Set out measures to secure requirements for pooled funding across
health and social care and improve accountability around how
schemes such as the Better Care Fund are supporting older people,
including carers.
12. Improve financial support for older unpaid carers including through
reforming the rules around Carers Allowance eligibility for carers in
receipt of a state pension.

Amendment Two
Kingston Borough
Mover:
Cllr Brian Austen
Summation:
Mary Reid
After line 30 insert new IX:
IX. According to a 2025 CQC survey of UK dementia care homes, key
indicators of resident satisfaction include respect for individual

backgrounds, integrity, independence and social needs. Good
practice can be found in De Hogeweyk in the Netherlands, where
residents live in small households and can use shared gardens,
shops, restaurants and social facilities in a safe neighbourhood, with
support adapted to their individual lifestyles and preferences. A
similar approach, the Eden Alternative, was also piloted in the UK in
Kingston upon Thames.
After line 120 insert new 11.:
11. Establish and independently evaluate pilots of community-integrated
dementia care villages, such as the De Hogeweyk model in the
Netherlands, providing small, domestic-scale homes in safe
neighbourhoods where residents can exercise meaningful choice
over daily life and move freely between shared gardens and
community facilities.

F30

Speech by Jane Dodds MS (Leader of the Welsh Liberal
Democrats)

Aide: Cllr Gareth Epps

F31

Stopping Violence Against Women and Girls in a Digital Age

Amendment One
11 members
Mover:
Summation:

Wera Hobhouse MP
Anna Sabine MP

After line 18 insert new G.:
G. The worrying rise in covert filming of women and girls, with footage
often shared online for profit and engagement - a trend further
enabled by smartglasses, with one analysis finding 60% of covert
point-of-view Instagram content contained behaviour amounting to
harassment.
After line 67 insert new 8. and 9.:
8. Tighten voyeurism laws to make clear that sexualised, covert filming
(including using smartglasses) and posting footage online,

sometimes for profit, is a criminal offence, and force platforms to
take this content down immediately.
9. Introduce a statutory duty on manufacturers to equip smartglasses
with a visible indicator when recording and make it a criminal offence
to disable, obscure, remove, or otherwise tamper with that indicator,
or to manufacture, supply, or advertise any product or service
designed to do so.

Amendment Two
Young Liberals
Mover:
Sarah Anderson
Summation:
Elin Kingston
After line 44 insert new F.:
F. Providers of Generative AI systems and online platforms must take
responsibility for preventing their services from enabling the creation
or distribution of non-consensual sexually explicit content.
After line 67 insert new 8. and 9.:
8. Require providers of generative AI image and video tools to
undertake continuous abusability testing starting pre-release and
take any reasonable safety-by-design steps to prevent their systems
being used to create non-consensual sexually explicit content.
9. Require AI providers to attach, and online platforms to preserve and
display, durable and interoperable provenance information on AIgenerated or edited sexually explicit content, with deliberate
tampering being considered an aggravating factor in sentencing for
related offences.

F32

Parliamentary Parties Report

Q1. Alex Wagner
What work are Parliamentarians doing to support Lib Dem colleagues in local
government?

Q2. Tom Dainty
What is the Parliamentary party doing to ensure Lib Dems are seen as
advocating for rural Britain given Andy Burnham’s focus on urban areas?

Q3. Chris Bentley
How are Parliamentarians using social media to ensure Lib Dem work in
Parliament reaches as many people as possible?

Q4. Toby Davis
We’ve just changed Prime Minister. How will the Commons and Lords
parliamentary parties change their approach in response?

Q5. Edward Molyneux
Over the last couple of years, we’ve acquired a number of new peers. How are
they getting on?

Q6. Sarah Dobson
What's a Lib Dem win from the last twelve months that hasn't been talked
about enough? In the Commons and the Lords.

Q7. Tom Dainty
How will Parliamentarians ensure their work supports local parties and
candidates as we approach the general election?

Q8. Stamatis Mavroudi-Tayler
The Conservatives caused widespread regression in schools. How will you
campaign for a more inclusive, holistic and fundamentally liberal approach to
education?

Q9. Sir Simon Hughes
Are all our MPs required to have constituency and Commons office phone
numbers and emails published on all official and party websites, and
messages collected daily?

Q10. Stamatis Mavroudi-Tayler
How will you stand up for an open Internet with a right to anonymity, in order
to protect whistleblowing and journalistic freedom?

Q11. Rebecca Jones
How does the parliamentary party intend to work with our diversity AOs, like
Lib Dem Women, to support our parliamentarians in their work?

Q12. Sir Simon Hughes
Are all views on abortion and end of life matters and gender critical beliefs
protected as matters of conscience for all LD parliamentarians?

Q13. Zoe Hollowood
Would the Party like to change the Equality Act 2010 regarding the protected
characteristics of sex and gender reassignment and if so what changes would
it like to see?

Q14. Zoe Hollowood
As a Party that prides itself on evidenced-based decision-making, is the Party
concerned that several gender clinics in the UK refused to cooperate with the
Cass Review on the data linkage study? This data linkage study was aimed at
collecting and analysing evidence about the medium term outcomes for
different treatment pathways for those with gender dysphoria. Does the Party
think it is important to conduct and complete this data linkage study?

Q15. Mark Johnston
Does the Parliamentary Party consider that Lib Dem-led local councils must
act lawfully in fulfilment of their duties under the Equality Act and in
particular, for the purposes of that act, must ensure that sex refers to
biological sex? What are the electoral risks for the party at all levels of not
doing so?
Q16. Suzanne Fletcher
We have policy on stopping ‘small boats’, including presettlement scheme;
using Humanitarian Visas; Reuniting unaccompanied children in Europe with
family in UK. Could they be mentioned in future?

Q17. Suzanne Fletcher
We have policy on Alternatives to Immigration Detention, saving money, being
humane. Can they be used by the party?

F33

Emergency Motion

Mover: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes.
There will be a ballot for two emergency motions to be debated, one in this
agenda slot and one in F34. Please see pages 43-50 below.

Tuesday 22 September
F34

Emergency Motion

Mover: 5 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes.
There will be a ballot for two emergency motions to be debated, one in this
agenda slot and one in F33. Please see pages 43-50 below.

09.50 Spokesperson's Statement
F34A

Spokesperson’s Statement on Israel and Palestine

Calum Miller MP, the Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, will make a statement
in response to the announcements by the Foreign Secretary on 8 September
2026. This statement will be made under Standing Order 1.7.

F35

Sovereignty in the Age of AI

Summation:

Helen Cross

Amendment One
14 members
Mover:
Summation:

Lord Clement-Jones (Lords Spokesperson for Science and
Innovation)
To be announced

In lines 89-91 delete ‘ethical considerations, ensuring that AI systems are
developed to use data responsibly and do not entrench existing
inequalities’ and insert ‘frontier AI systems whose capabilities pose
material risk of national security harm, catastrophic harm, or significant
harm to individuals or groups, including through unsafe or rightsinfringing outcomes.’

Amendment Two
Lambeth Borough
Mover:
Chris Lomax
Summation:
To be announced

In line 106, delete ‘Confronting the AI energy dilemma…,’ and insert:
‘Ensuring that data centre development remains consistent with the UK’s
objective of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, including …’

F36

Restoring our Waters: Britain's Water Company Crisis

Amendment One
Lambeth Borough
Mover:
Nicholas Sanders
Summation:
To be announced
After line 37, insert new X.:
X. The country faces a growing water shortage crisis, highlighted by
current supply restrictions, largely resulting from climate change, and
factors including emerging technologies and population growth, with
England predicted by the government to be short, by 2055, of 5
billion litres a day for public water supplies, and a further 1 billion
litres for the wider economy.
After line 101, insert new 9.:
9. Develop urgently a comprehensive strategy to deal with predicted
water supply shortages, including making full use of the latest
developments in sustainable and cost-effective desalination
technologies.

F38

Tackling Illegal E-Bikes and Dangerous Riding

Summation:

Cllr Hina Bokhari AM

Amendment One
LD Friends of Walking, Wheeling and Cycling
Mover:
Katrin Harding
Summation:
Cllr Adrian Betteridge
After line 33 insert new b):
b) Legal E-bikes offer significant benefits for widening participation in

active travel – particularly for disabled people, older people and
those with longer commutes or caring responsibilities – and safe,
legal e-bike adoption should be encouraged.
In line 49 after ‘apps’ insert ‘..., including by ensuring that pay structures
and work-allocation algorithms do not incentivise riders to exceed safe
speeds or use illegal vehicles.’
In line 54 after ‘safety limits.’ insert ‘..., and close the loophole permitting
such vehicles to be marketed and sold under the pretence of off-roadonly use when routinely ridden on public roads.’
After line 65 insert new 5. and 6.:
5. Require delivery platforms to reform per-delivery pay structures so
they do not incentivise riders to exceed safe speeds or use illegal
vehicles, and to publish regular algorithmic safety assessments.
6. Work with industry to establish a government-backed e-bike safety
kitemark, enabling landlords, transport operators, and insurers to
distinguish legal, safe e-bikes from illegal machines to avoid
unnecessary blanket restrictions on e-bikes.

Amendment Two
ALDC
Mover:
Summation:

To be announced
To be announced

After line 45 insert new e):
e) Illegal e-bike use and dangerous riding are also a local community
safety and antisocial behaviour issue, directly affecting residents and
communities and requiring effective partnership working between
local authorities, police forces and other relevant agencies.
After line 71 insert new 7.:
7. Strengthen support for local authorities and Community Safety
Partnerships to tackle the antisocial behaviour associated with illegal
e-bikes and dangerous riding, including through improved
information-sharing, joint enforcement activity, prevention and
community engagement.

F39

Feeding Britain: A Food Security Emergency

The Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting
amendments to the motion:
In line 70, delete ‘binding’.
In line 76, delete ‘requiring’, and insert ‘for’
After line 102, insert new 11.:
11. Recognition of the vital role of local authorities in tackling food
poverty, including through the delivery and coordination of free
school meals, holiday food provision and other local programmes
supporting children and families experiencing food insecurity, and
ensuring that councils have the resources necessary to deliver these
services effectively.

Amendment One
14 members
Mover:
Summation:

Caroline Voaden MP (Spokesperson for Schools)
To be announced

After line 22 Insert new H.:
H. Holiday hunger is a growing crisis for children dependent on free
school meals, who receive no equivalent support during school
holidays, leaving many vulnerable young people without reliable
access to nutritious food.
After line 42, insert new VI. and VII.:
VI. Children cannot learn when they are hungry, and food security for
young people must be treated as an educational and public health
priority alongside a national security one.
VII. Local food procurement for schools strengthens the connection
between communities and the farms and growers in their area, cuts
food miles, and ensures children benefit from fresh, seasonal
produce.
After line 102 insert new 11. and 12.:
11. Protection of existing school food voucher programmes from cuts or

closure, recognising the safety net they provide for families already
facing food insecurity.
12. Support for local authorities to develop Local Food Plans for schools,
mapping local supply chains and connecting schools with nearby
producers of fruit, vegetables and other fresh foods, prioritising
seasonal and low food-mile produce.

Amendment Two
13 members
Mover:
Summation:

Duncan Brack
To be announced

After line 74, insert new 2.:
2.

Support for the production of alternative proteins, allowing for
reduced dependence on imports, particularly of low-quality meat.

After line 102, insert new 11.:
11. Comprehensive preparations for major disruptions to food supply
chains, including national contingency planning for major supply
disruptions, better coordination between government, retailers and
food producers, establishing regional distribution centres and giving
local authorities powers and resources to develop local emergency
stockpiles and emergency strategies.

Amendment Three
LDDA
Mover:
Summation:

Katharine Macy
To be announced

After line 102 insert new 11.:
11. Local Food Plans to liaise with local NHS services to ensure those
with allergies or food related disabilities or illnesses such as diabetes
are supported to receive the food they require.

Emergency Motions Ballot
One of the following motions will be selected by ballot to be debated at F33 on
Monday 21 September and one at F34 on Tuesday 22 September. The emergency
motions ballot will be held electronically. Members of conference will receive a
ballot by email at 17.00 on Friday 18 September, and should complete it online by
16.00 on Saturday 19 September.
Emergency Motion 1: Britain’s Wildfire Crisis
Young Liberals
Conference notes with alarm:
A. The Met Office confirmed that Summer 2026 was the UK's hottest on
record, with five widespread heatwaves, 40 days of temperatures
above 30°C and the most wildfires ever recorded.
B. England and Wales each recorded their driest July on record in 2026.
C. Fire and rescue services attended 458 wildfires in England and Wales
in July, the highest in any month on record.
D. The wildfire at Dunwich Heath devastated 90% of its nationally
important ancient heathland, burning underground seedbanks vital
for regrowth, whilst 19 houses in Stourbridge were destroyed in
August, with major incidents elsewhere destroying homes and
forcing evacuations.
E. Recent analysis by Ordnance Survey found that 1.8 million homes in
Britain are exposed to increasing risk from wildfires which are no
longer confined to remote areas.
F. The Climate Change Committee’s May 2026 Report, ‘A Well Adapted
UK’, warns that by 2050, the number of high fire risk days could
double compared to the late-20th-century average and the wildfire
season will extend into late summer and early autumn.
G. The Government is belatedly convening a wildfire summit but has
failed to publish a Wildfire Action Plan for England despite repeated
warnings from fire and rescue services about escalating risk.
Conference thanks firefighters, control-room staff, land managers,
volunteers, armed forces personnel and communities who responded to
this summer’s fires and heatwaves with extraordinary dedication and
selflessness.

Conference believes that:
i)

Climate change is making the hot, dry conditions in which severe
wildfires spread, more frequent and intense, and that this summer’s
disasters are a direct consequence of decades of inadequate climate
action.

ii) Emergency responses, long-term adaptation and rapid reductions in
greenhouse gases are all necessary and that we must reject any false
choice between them.
iii) One-off emergency measures must be replaced with sustained
investment in prevention, resilience and a just transition.
iv) Nature-based solutions including peatland restoration, rewetting and
sustainable land management are essential tools for reducing
wildfire risk.
Conference reaffirms the Liberal Democrat commitment to net zero by
2050 and to a comprehensive UK climate resilience and adaptation
strategy.
Conference calls on the Government to:
1. Publish and fund a Wildfire Action Plan for England by spring 2027,
with clear, measurable targets.
2. Establish permanent, nationally deployable specialist wildfire
capability with common training and modern equipment including
off-road vehicles, drones, water carriers and high-volume pumps,
along with aerial support as necessary.
3. Require fire and rescue authorities in high-risk areas to maintain
multi-agency wildfire plans which take account of access routes,
water sources, vulnerable communities and evacuation
arrangements.
4. Increase the farming budget by £1 billion and develop a wildfire
prevention plan to allow for evidence-based land management and
nature-based solutions, such as peatland restoration, rewetting, farm
reservoirs, grazing, removal of excess vegetation and firebreaks.
5. Develop a wildfire danger-rating system along with proportionate
temporary restrictions when risk is very high or extreme, such as on
the use and sale of disposable barbecues and the use of fireworks.
Applicability: England.

Emergency Motion 2: Burnham’s faltering and unambitious approach to
Europe
14 members
Conference expresses its disappointment that, since taking office on 20
July, the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has adopted his
predecessor's unambitious approach to rebuilding ties with the EU.
Conference notes, in particular:
A. Andy Burnham’s failure to reschedule the second UK-EU ‘Reset’
Summit, originally scheduled for 22 July, and views this as a critical
missed opportunity to strengthen UK-EU ties.
B. Comments made by the new Minister of State for European
Relations, Hamish Falconer on 9 August, stating that the new
Government is “committed” to maintaining its ‘red lines’ on Europe.
Conference believes:
I.

By failing to rapidly reschedule UK-EU talks and continuing to rule out
entry to the single market, a UK-EU customs union and return to
freedom of movement, this Labour Government - like the one before
it - is holding Britain back.

II. Strengthening our trade ties with Europe is the biggest lever the
Government could pull to start growing our economy, tackle the costof-living crisis, and undo the damage caused by the Conservatives’
botched Brexit deal backed by Nigel Farage.
III. Securing a new and ambitious deal with Europe on trade and security
is the biggest step we can take now back towards membership of the
EU, helping to rebuild the trust of European leaders after it was
shattered by the Conservatives.
Conference reaffirms the policy recommendations proposed in motion
Making the UK-EU Reset Summit Count (2025), motion The UK’s
Response to Trump (2025) and motion Rebuilding Trade and
Cooperation with Europe (2022).
Conference calls on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to immediately
reschedule the second UK-EU ‘Reset’ Summit, and use this as an
opportunity to:
1. Drop the Government’s ‘red lines’ and negotiate a new Growth and

Defence Partnership with the EU, including:
a) The UK’s access to the single market and a new UK-EU customs
union, which will tear down barriers to trade and turbocharge
British businesses.
b) A new UK-EU defence pact which allows us to better fulfil our
NATO obligations and makes Britain safer in the face of Vladimir
Putin’s expansionism and Donald Trump’s unpredictability.
2. Secure final agreement on, and a timeline of implementation for,
a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, a Youth Mobility
Scheme, and an Emissions Trading Scheme agreement between
the UK and EU – all of which were promised at the May 2025
‘Reset’ Summit but have yet to be successfully delivered.
Applicability: Federal.

Emergency Motion 3: Restoring Trans Rights
LGBT+ Lib Dems
Conference notes with concern:
I.

On 5 August 2026, the Equality and Human Rights Commission's
(EHRC’s) updated Code of Practice came into force, which:
a) Bars trans people from facilities aligned with their lived gender
and, in some cases, also those aligned with their assigned sex.
b) Suggests ‘policing’ gender non-conforming people for how they
look.

II. Between 2020 and 2025, recorded hate crimes against trans people
increased by 50 per cent.
III. Support groups report increased harassment of gender nonconforming women in women’s facilities.
IV. The Chair of the EHRC, Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson, was appointed by
the Government against the advice of the Women and Equalities
Committee and the Joint Committee on Human Rights.
Conference believes:

A. Trans women are women, trans men are men, and everyone
deserves to live in safety and with dignity.
B. The rights of women and of trans people are not in competition; both
are essential to a fair society.
C. The Code of Practice is discriminatory and unworkable, and places an
undue burden on service providers.
Conference reaffirms its commitment to reforming the Gender
Recognition Act to remove the requirement for medical reports, end the
spousal veto, and recognise non-binary people in law.
Conference calls for:
1. Parliament to appoint a dedicated cross-party committee to review
how the law should better protect trans people’s rights, taking
evidence from impacted groups, including trans people, and
proposing amendments to legislation where necessary.
2. The EHRC to issue a new Code of Practice that is inclusive, workable
and ensures everybody can safely access public facilities and
providers are protected from legal risk.
3. The EHRC to monitor the impact of any Code of Practice it produces,
and update it should evidence demonstrate that it is unworkable,
harmful or discriminatory.
4. Future appointments of the EHRC Chair to be subject to a
confirmatory vote by the Women and Equalities Committee.
Applicability: Federal.

Emergency Motion 4: “Snarling, thin-skinned and aggressive”: ensuring
accountability in the age of Reform UK
12 members
Conference notes that:
i)

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, received a £5 million gift from Thai
based crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne before the 2024
General Election, which Farage said was a reward for campaigning for
Brexit.

ii) On the 7th July 2026 it was disclosed that this gift had been reported
to the National Crime Agency over money laundering concerns.
iii) It was reported on 10 July that donations to Reform UK by the
mother of convicted fraudster ‘Posh George’ Cottrell, a close
associate of Farage, were being investigated by the Met Police.
iv) When questioned about the £5 million gift, Farage has sought to
dodge scrutiny, telling journalists: “What's it got to do with you? … It's
an unconditional gift. I can spend it on Ferraris if I want … I can do
what I want with it. I can put it on the horses.”
v) Following the launch of a Parliamentary Standards investigation into
his conduct Nigel Farage resigned his seat in Clacton and stood in the
ensuing by-election, in a ploy to avoid scrutiny.
vi) Prominent Reform UK member and Brexit campaigner Aron Banks is
reported to have set private investigators on a Sunday Times
journalist after he broke a series of stories about Nigel Farage.
Conference calls for:
1. The Parliamentary Standards investigation to act without fear of
Farage or his bullying tactics.
2. A dedicated investigation into the role and influence of unpaid
political advisers, in light of revelations about George Cottrell's
relationship with Reform UK.
3. Public scrutiny of suspect financial behaviour by politicians to be
protected in law, by:
a) Passing a comprehensive Anti-SLAPP law providing robust
protection for journalists, whistleblowers, campaigners and
others facing Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation.
b) Introducing new protections against the vexatious use of private
investigators targeting journalists.
c) Strengthening donor transparency, including tougher know-yourdonor rules, greater resourcing and powers for the Electoral
Commission, and more accessible donor records.
Applicability: Federal.

Emergency Motion 5: Trading with our allies, standing up to Trump
12 members
Conference notes with concern that:
a) On July 23rd, president Trump hit dozens of countries, including the
UK, with new tariffs, after the Supreme Court ruled his previous
‘liberation day’ tariffs illegal.
b) The US Government has begun accepting refund applications from
businesses around the world for the legally void tariffs they paid,
with $100 billion already refunded.
c) On August 22nd, the Trump administration escalated its trade war
against Canada, by applying 50 per cent tariffs on $20 billion of
Canadian imports.
d) In August, the White House threatened the UK with 100 per cent
tariffs over Britain’s Digital Services Tax, levied on global tech giants,
with the Burnham Government reportedly being “open to discussing
US concerns”.
Conference reaffirms Liberal Democrat commitments to championing
free trade and expanding the UK's multilateral partnerships with
counterparts whom Britain can rely on – particularly in Europe and the
Commonwealth.
Conference therefore calls on the Government to:
1. Immediately drop its red lines on Europe and negotiate a new
Growth and Defence Partnership with the EU, including joining the
Single Market and a new Customs Union.
2. Offset Trump’s latest tariffs in the short term, by urgently securing
participation in the EU’s ‘Made in Europe’ scheme, vital for our steel
industry; concluding an SPS agreement for food and agricultural
produce; and securing regulatory alignment in key areas, such as the
mutual recognition of professional qualifications.
3. Stand shoulder to shoulder with Canada, commit to closer trade links
with our Commonwealth allies and build an economic coalition of the
willing to end Trump’s trade war.
4. Launch a new initiative supporting eligible UK businesses in claiming
US tariff refunds, including raising awareness and providing

information and advice.
5. Defend British taxpayers against Trump by resisting US pressure to
water down or scrap the Digital Services Tax.
Applicability: Federal.

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, from Monday 14 September 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

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

Fringe Monday early lunchtime
12.15–13.15
The following fringe session is additional to those listed in the Directory:
The Good Growth Foundation and The Premier League
Stadiums as Civic Anchors: how major sports venues can unlock good growth
How can stadium regeneration unlock new jobs, homes, transport links and
revitalise communities? Join Good Growth Foundation and the Premier
League to discuss the role of football in place-based regeneration.
The Grand, Regent Room

Fringe Monday late lunchtime 13.45–14.45
The following fringe sessions have been amended:
EU Delegation
EU Ambassador’s Reception
Reception hosted by the Ambassador of the European Union to the United
Kingdom. Speakers: Calum Miller MP, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson; Al
Pinkerton MP, Jukka Salovaara, Ambassador, Delegation of the European
Union to the United Kingdom. Chair: Ian Bond, Deputy Director, Centre for
European Reform. For information and to register, please email
delegation-united-kingdom-political@eeas.europa.eu
Grand Hotel, Alexandra Room
British Future
A Decade After the Brexit Vote: How Close Should the UK Get to Europe Now?
10 years on from 2016, what future relationship with the EU would UK voters
support now? Sharing new British Future research, we explore public attitudes
around rejoining, the single market, free movement, or closer cooperation on
key issues. With speakers: Max Wilkinson MP – Liberal Democrat Home Affairs
Spokesperson and MP for Cheltenham, Manuela Perteghella MP – Liberal
Democrat MP for Stratford-on-Avon, Lord Mark Pack – Liberal Democrat peer
and Chair of the Federal Elections and Communications Committee, Sunder
Katwala – Director, British Future, Heather Rolfe – Director of Research and
Relationships, British Future (Chair)
Grand Hotel, The Pavilion

Fringe Monday early evening 18.15–19.15
The following fringe sessions have been amended:
Smith Institute
Are we ready for climate change?
Pippa Heylings MP (Energy Security/Net Zero spokesperson), Wera Hobhouse
MP, Clare Young MP, Cllr Martin Horwood, Local Authority Pension Fund
Forum, Gideon Amos MP (chair).
Grand Hotel, Empress Room
Royal Institute Of British Architects
NHBC & RIBA drinks reception – Delivering better homes and place
Hosted by the NHBC and RIBA, this reception brings together
parliamentarians, local government leaders, built environment professionals
and industry stakeholders to discuss how we can deliver high quality homes
and create places people want to live in. Speakers include: Gideon Amos MP –
MP for Taunton and Wellington, Spokesperson for Housing and Communities,
Wera Hobhouse – MP for Bath.
Grand Hotel, Regent Room
Channel 4 (18.00 onwards)
UK Public Service Broadcasters Reception
Join Channel 4, BBC, ITV, Channel 5, S4C, STV, and MG ALBA to celebrate how
they deliver high-quality, home-grown content that reflects the whole of the
UK and brings audiences together.
Riddle and Finns, The Beach
Invitation only

Fringe Monday early evening 18.15–19.15 contd.
The New Statesman
New Statesman's Let's Celebrate Towns Reception at Liberal Democrat Party
Conference in association with Visa and Nationwide Building Society
This exclusive reception will bring together policymakers, businesses and local
leaders to discuss how we can support successful, vibrant towns across the
UK.
https://nsmg.eventsonlineregister.com/events/new-statesmans-letscelebrate-towns-reception-at-liberal-democrat-party-conference/
126995/directcheckout
Grand Hotel, Cyan Restaurant and Terrace

Fringe Monday mid evening 19.45–21.00
The following fringe session has been amended:
Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform
UK Democracy on the Brink - and How To Save It.
The UK faces a democratic emergency. Trump's actions in the US show how
vulnerable democracies are to unprincipled populist politicians. Could UK
democracy survive a similar onslaught? Join Lisa Smart MP, Lord Mark Pack
and Christina Pagel (www.TrumpActionTracker.info) to discuss how to respond
to this threat. Tom Brake (Unlock Democracy) chairs.
www.lder.org
Brighton Centre, Meeting Room 1B

More in Common
Brexit, Trump, and Britain on the World Stage
Join foreign affairs spokesperson Calum Miller MP to discuss how voters want
the party to approach Britain's role on the world stage. Using exclusive
polling, this session will explore issues ranging from Brexit's legacy to
relations with President Trump's administration.
Brighton Centre, Meeting Room 1C

Directory of Exhibitors Updates
The following exhibitors are additional to those listed in the Agenda & Directory:
Association of Lib Dem Trade Unionists
ALDTU aims to help Lib Dem Trade unionists to
become more active in their Trade Union/professional
body. Also to be an information source for our Party on
Trade Unions.
www.associationofliberaldemocrattradeunionists.
wordpress.com

Stand 28

MCS Foundation
The MCS Foundation’s mission is to decarbonise
homes, heat and energy. We support and develop
programmes to help retrofit UK homes at scale,
expand the skills base the sector needs, and
commission independent research that informs and
shapes better decision making. For more information
please visit our website.
www.mcsfoundation.org.uk

Stand 5

Office of Tibet
Office of Tibet, London, is the official agency of His Holiness
the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration for
the UK, Republic of Ireland, Northern Europe, Poland and
the Baltic States. Our exhibition at stand PS12 poses this
direct question: “can a government legitimately determine
another community’s spiritual leader?”
www.tibetoffice.org

The following exhibitors are no longer attending Conference:
Keep Britain Tidy
www.keepbritaintidy.org

Stand 12

The Federal Conference Committee

Cllr Nick da Costa, Dr Chris Adams,
Chair
Vice Chair

Eleanor Kelly,
Vice Chair

Josh Babarinde MP, Duncan Brack
Party President

Wendy
Chamberlain MP

Dionne Daniel

Cllr Gareth Epps

Sandra Gidley

Charley Hasted

Chloe
Hutchinson

Alison Jenner

Baroness
Kitching

Chris Maines

Paul McGarry

Lord
Mohammed

Cllr Lucy
Nethsingha

Lucas North

Lord Pack

Baroness
Pinnock

Jennie Rigg

Cllr Callum
Robertson

Federal Conference Committee Helpdesk
The FCC helpdesk is situated by the Information Desk. Members
of the FCC will be available to give advice at the following times:
Saturday 19 September
10.30–11.30 and 13.00–14.00
Sunday 20 September
10.30–11.30
Monday 21 September
10.30–11.30

Jess
Brown-Fuller MP

The Federal Policy Committee

Ed Davey MP,
Chair

Dr Mohsin Khan,
Vice Chair

Cllr Lucy
Nethsingha,
Vice Chair

Helen
Morgan MP,
Vice Chair

Josh Babarinde MP,
Party President

Steff
Aquarone MP

Phil Bennion

Duncan Brack

David Chalmers

Richard Cole

Cllr Nick
da Costa

Alec Dauncey

Cllr Laura
Gordon

Mackenzie
Gregory

Nick Harvey

Zoe Hollowood

Cllr Anthony
Hook

Cllr Martin
Horwood

Abrial Jerram

Rebecca Jones

Cllr Susan Juned

Cllr Katie
Mansfield

Cllr Thalia
Marrington

Josh Matthews

Cllr Simon
McGrath

Daniel O‘Malley

Humaira
Sanders

Rosie Shimell

Lord Teverson

Cllr Peter
Thornton

The Federal Board

Josh Babarinde MP,Victoria Collins MP,
Party President
Vice President

Ed Davey MP,
Leader

Baroness Pidgeon,
Chair,
English Party

Jenni Lang,
Convenor,
Scottish Party

Tim Sly,
President,
Welsh Party

Helen Morgan MP,
Vice-Chair,
FPC Rep

Nick da Costa,
FCC Chair

Lord Pack,
FCEC Chair

Mike Cox,
FFRC Chair

Cllr Lucy
Nethsingha,
Councillor Rep

Will Tennison,
Young Liberals
Chair

Cllr Prue Bray

Baroness
Kitching

Janey Little

Federal Committee Helpdesk
The Federal Committees helpdesk is situated by the Information
Desk. Members of the following committees will be available to
have strategic conversations with members at the following times:
Saturday 19 September 10.30–11.30
Federal Audit and Scrutiny Committee and Federal International
Relations Committee
Saturday 19 September 13.00–14.00
Federal Board and Federal People and Development Committee
Sunday 20 September 10.30–11.30
Federal Board
Monday 21 September 10.30–11.30
Federal Board and Federal Finance and Resource Committee