Conference Daily Autumn Conference, Brighton 19-22 September 2026 Information from the Federal Conference Committee for Saturday 19 September. Please read in conjunction with the Agenda & Directory and Conference Extra. Timetable and Contents 13.00-14.30 Consultative session: A Thriving Economy # 09.00-09.10 F1 Opening of Conference 09.10-09.25 F2 Report: Federal Conference Committee F3 Report: Federal Policy Committee 09.25-09.55 F4 Policy Motion: Mortality of Children in Temporary Accommodation 09.55-10.40 F5 Policy Motion: Securing the Future of Rural and Coastal Education 10.40-11.35 F6 Policy Motion: Liberal Democrats Mean Business 11.35-11.50 F7 Speech: Al Pinkerton MP 11.50-12.50 F8 Policy Motion: Tackling the Maternity Crisis 12.50-14.10 Lunch break and fringe 14.40-16.00 F9 Policy Motion: Strength, Resilience and Partnership: Securing Britain and Defending Liberalism in Turbulent Times (International Security Policy Paper) 16.00-16.15 F10 Speech: Munira Wilson MP 16.15-16.45 F11 Policy Motion: Rebuilding Health Visiting and Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life 16.45-17.15 F12 Policy Motion: Fixing Family Courts 17.15-17.30 F13 Speech: Cllr Lisa Spivey 17.30-18.00 F14 Policy Motion: Local Candidate Safety 18.30-19.30 Conference Rally 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 Spokespeople Q&A Sessions There will be three Q&A sessions at conference where you can ask questions of our spokespeople. Sessions on Saturday and Sunday will take place in the Brighton Centre and the session on Monday will take place in The Grand Hotel. Saturday 19th September 16.30-17.30: Victoria Collins MP and Lord Clement-Jones on Science, Innovation and Technology. Brighton Centre, Meeting Room 1D; Chair: Dr Chris Adams. Sunday 20th September 16.30-17.30: Helen Morgan MP and Baroness Pidgeon on Health and Care. Brighton Centre, Meeting Room 1D; Chair: Jennie Rigg. Monday 21st September 16.30-17.30: Lisa Smart MP and Lord Pack on Political and Constitutional Reform. The Grand Hotel, Charlotte Room; Chair: Dr Chris Adams. Representatives from Sussex Police will be at the LGA stand from 16.30-17.30 on Saturday. The Defending Democracy Policing Protocol is a UK framework that enhances the safety of elected representatives. It mandates consistent police responses to harassment, restricts intimidating protests outside politicians' homes, and ensures robust protection at democratic venues and events. Operation Bridger and Operation Ford are the trigger words to quote by MPs and Elected Officials when contacting ANY police force in the UK. 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: 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 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: Humaira Sanders Summation: 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. Background briefing This motion develops new policy on temporary accommodation and homelessness. It builds on existing policy as set out in the 2024 General Election Manifesto, For a Fair Deal, and policy paper 155, Tackling the Housing Crisis (2023). 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: Sarah Anderson Summation: 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.' Background briefing This motion develops new policy on education and regional disparities. It builds on existing policy as set out in the 2024 General Election Manifesto, For a Fair Deal, and policy paper 128, Every Child Empowered: Education for a changing world (2023). 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: Chris Bowers Summation: 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: Cllr Katie Mansfield Summation: 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. Background briefing This motion develops new policy on the economy and business. It builds on existing policy as set out in the 2024 General Election Manifesto, For a Fair Deal, policy paper 162, Revitalising Town Centres and High Streets (2026), and policy motion Backing Hospitality for Growth and Jobs (2025). F8 Tackling the Maternity Crisis Amendment One 12 members Mover: Marie Goldman MP (Spokesperson for Women and Equalities) Summation: 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: Laura Gordon Summation: 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: Alison Bennett MP (Spokesperson for Care and Carers) Summation: 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. Background briefing This motion develops new policy on health outcomes and safety standards for new mothers and their babies. It builds on existing policy as set out in policy motion Equitable and Improved Outcomes Throughout Pregnancy and the Neonatal Period (2024). 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: Al Pinkerton MP Summation: 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: David Chalmers Summation: 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: Baroness Smith of Newnham (Lords Spokesperson on Defence) Summation: 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. Background briefing This motion and the accompanying policy paper develops new foreign policy. It builds on existing policy as set out in the 2024 General Election Manifesto, For a Fair Deal, policy paper 157, Liberal Values in a Dangerous World (2024), policy motion Trump and the Wider World (2026), and policy motion The UK's Response to Trump (2025). F11 Rebuilding Health Visiting and Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life Hall Aide: Jess Brown-Fuller MP Amendment One 10 members Mover: Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor Summation: 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: Humaira Sanders Summation: 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. Background briefing This motion develops new public health policies for babies, young children and families. It builds on existing policy as set out in the 2024 General Election Manifesto, For a Fair Deal, and policy motion Equitable and Improved Outcomes Throughout Pregnancy and the Neonatal Period (2024). F12 Fixing Family Courts Summation: Marie Goldman MP (Spokesperson for Women and Equalities) 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: Will Forster MP Summation: 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. Background briefing This motion develops new policy on public and private law proceedings. 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. Background briefing This motion develops new policies on candidate safety and democratic participation. It builds on policy paper 145, Democracy and Public Debate (2023) and policy paper 130 Power for People and Communities (2018). Emergency Motions Ba lot 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 cost- of-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 non- conforming 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 Arron 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-your- donor 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.