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Autumn Conference 2017 - 7-10 October, Harrogate Convention Centre

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SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER

Registration desk open from 11.00-18.00 , daytime catering 11.00-18.00, evening catering 18.00-21.00, bar 18.00-22.30

12.30-13.45 Queens Suite 2 Green Party Women: Being a woman or non-binary in politics

Queens Suite 3 Workshop a: (12.30-13.15) A02 Treasurer’s report

Workshop b: (13.15-13.30) A05 Dispute Resolution Committee report

Workshop c: (13.30-13.45) A06 Disciplinary Committee report

Queens Suite 4 Workshop a: (12.30-12.50) A08 Conferences Committee report

Workshop b: (12.50-13.20) A09 Policy Development Committee report

Workshop c: (13.20-13.45) A10 Campaigns Committee report

Queens Suite 1 Meeting (policy): Climate Change Policy Working Group (all welcome)

Registration desk

Walking tour of Harrogate, led by Gilly Charters, Chair of Harrogate and District Green Party. Meet at registration desk 12.15 for departure 12.30.

14.00-14.30 Queens Suite 1 Welcome to Conference - Amelia Womack and local and regional parties

14.45-16.00 Queens Suite 3 Fringe: First Timers Guide to Conference, and Policy Process training (starts 15.15)

Queens Suite 2 Fringe: Campaigning in rural areas - lessons from success on the Isle of Wight

Queens Suite 1 Fringe: How do we get out of this economic mess? (starts 14.30)

Queens Suite 5 Workshop a: (14.45-15.30) A04 Green Party Regional Council report

Workshop b: (15.30-16.00) A12 Reform of Conference Voting Working Group report

Kings Suite Training: How we win local elections in the Green Party: an introduction

Queens Suite 4 Workshop a: (14.45-15.05) A13 Governance Review Group report

Workshop b: (15.05-16.00) D01 Holistic Review of how the Green Party operates

Queens Suite 6 Meeting (diversity): Green Party Disability Group (all welcome)

16.00-16.45 Hall D Break

Queens Suite 1 Fringe: Conservation with a Camera - giving the voiceless a voice with my camera. Craig Jones, Wildlife Photographer

Queens Suite 4 Meeting (governance): Reforming Conference Voting Working Group (all welcome)


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Queens Suite 5 Meeting (special interest group): Green Left (all welcome)

Queens Suite 2 Singing workshop in preparation for Sunday flashmob in Harrogate town centre

16.45-18.00 Queens Suite 2 Fringe: War on Want ‘Living on the Margins: Protecting Migrant Workers’ Rights in a Precarious World’

Queens Suite 1 Fringe: Developing the Green Party’s Political Strategy

Queens Suite 3 Fringe: Barren Land: Reversing the Impact of Chemical Farming

Kings Suite Training: Choosing a target ward that will give you the best chance of winning

Queens Suite 4 Training: Local Elections Masterclass: Messaging (advanced)

Morrison Workshop a: (16.45-17.40) A01 Standing Orders Committee report

Workshop b: (17.40-18.00) A14 Principles of Incorporation

Queens Suite 5 Meeting (policy): Tax and Fiscal Policy Working Group (all welcome)

Queens Suite 6 Meeting (special interest group): Greens for Animal Protection (all welcome)

18.15-19.30 Queens Suite 1 PANEL DISCUSSION: What should the new economy look like?

Queens Suite 3 Reception: Electoral Reform Society ‘The myth of the return of two-party politics: where next for PR?’ with drinks and canapés

Queens Suite 2 Fringe: Direct Action, How to take it – a guide by Green councillors

Kings Suite Training: Taster sessions with take away materials for all

Queens Suite 4 Training: Local Elections Masterclass: Literature (advanced)

Queens Suite 6 Workshop a: (18.15-19.30) A03 GPEX report

Workshop b: (19.30- A07 Leaders’ report

Morrison Meeting (policy): Health and Social Welfare Working Group (all welcome)

Queens Suite 5 Meeting (diversity): LGBTIQA+ Greens (all members welcome)

20.00-21.30 Queens Suite 2 Green Partners and Life Members reception

20.00-21.00

Queens Suite 1 ‘Entrusted to our Care’ presentation and slide show with music by Craig Jones, Wildlife Photographer

20.00 Meet Kings Suite

Regional and Wales Socials - Connect with activists, officers and staff from your region and learn what’s happening in campaigns near you. Meet Kings Suite before heading out into Harrogate, or gathering to eat together in the venue.


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21.00-22.30 Kings Suite Big Green Quiz

SUNDAY 8 OCTOBER

Registration open 09.00-18.00, daytime catering 09.00-18.00, evening catering 18.00-21.00, bar 18.00-22.30

09.00-13.00 Visit to show our support for the Kirby Misperton fracking site protesters organised by the regional party. Sign up at the Harrogate and Yorkshire and Humber Stall on Saturday. £5 contribution to bus costs, max 15 places available.

09.30-10.45

Queens Suite 7 Fringe: Greening the Green Party’s Manifesto for the next Election

Queens Suite 1 Fringe: Universal Basic Income. Its time has come

Kings Suite Training: Recruiting to your campaign team

Morrison Meeting (officers): Local and Regional Party Treasurers

Queens Suite 4 Workshop a: (09.30-10.45) A15 Proposed new constitution to go to ballot

Queens Suite 3 Workshop a: (09.30-10.00) B01 Climate Change Voting Paper

Workshop b: (10.00-10.25) B02 Forestry and Woodlands Voting Paper

Workshop c: (10.25-10.45) Late Motion – Fighting the EU Repeal Bill

Queens Suite 5 Meeting (special interest group): Israel/Palestine Boycott Divestment and Sanctions Group (all welcome)

Queens Suite 2 Meeting (officers): Regional Co-ordinators

11.00-12.30 Auditorium PLENARY Section A reports; Voting on Fast-Tracked motions

12.30-13.15 Hall D Lunch break

Queens Suite 4 Meeting (special interest group): Green Party Trade Union group AGM (all welcome)

Queens Suite 5 Meeting (policy): Disability Policy Working Group (all welcome)

Registration desk

Singing flashmob in Harrogate town centre. Meet registration desk at 12.30 to walk together.

13.15-15.15 Auditorium Molly Scott Cato MEP speech PLENARY A13 (Governance Review Group report); A14 (Principles for Incorporation); D01 (Holistic Review); A15 (Proposed new constitution). If the final amendment to D01 falls, and motion D01 passes, then motion A15 will not be taken.


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15.30-16.45 Auditorium PANEL DISCUSSION: What does Brexit mean for our environment?

Queens Suite 4 Fringe: How can a low carbon economy create new employment?

Queens Suite 7 Fringe: A Green Voice in Europe – an update from our three MEPs

Kings Suite Training: Local election campaigns: learning from the best

Queens Suite 2 Workshop a: (15.30-16.00) E05 Improving Trans Rights Policy

Workshop b: (16.00-16.30) E06 Updating Sexual Orientation Policy

Workshop c: (16.30-16.45) E08 Bank Holiday Marking the Contribution of Migrants and People of Colour

Queens Suite 1 Workshop: a: (15.30-15.55) D02 Election Messaging Strategy

Workshop b: (15.55-16.20) D03 Changing the Green Party Message

Workshop c: (16.20-16.45) D06 Future Electoral Deals with other parties

Queens Suite 5 Meeting (policy): Citizens/Basic Income Policy Working Group (all welcome)

Queens Suite 3 Meeting (diversity): Young Greens (open to Young Greens only)

17.00-18.15

Auditorium PLENARY Motions B01 and B02 (Climate Change and Forestry & Woodlands Voting Papers); A15 (Proposed new constitution) cont’d; Section A reports cont'd (if time); Late Motion 01 / Emergency Motions

18.30-19.45

Auditorium ‘Big Green Thank You’ presented by Caroline Lucas and Jonathan Bartley

Queens Suite 7 Fringe and reception: National Education Union ‘School cuts - what's the damage?’ with soft drinks and nibbles

Queens Suite 1 Fringe: Brexit: What Next for Young People?

Queens Suite 2 Meeting: Green councillors in Labour-run cities (Cllrs and candidates only)

Queens Suite 5 Meeting (policy): Economics Policy Working Group (all welcome)

Queens Suite 6 Hustings

20.00-21.30 Auditorium Film screening of DISPOSSESSION with Director’s Q&A

MONDAY 9 OCTOBER

Registration open 08.30-18.00, Daytime catering 08.30-18.00, evening catering 18.00-21.00, Bar 18.00-22.30

09.00-10.15

Queens Suite 2 Fringe: Political Education Strategy

Queens Suite 7 Fringe: After Grenfell: What Next for Social Housing?

Kings Suite Training: Engaging voters all year round part. 1: Creating literature that wins votes

Queens Suite 4 Workshop a: (09.00-09.30) E01 Reducing Plastic Waste

Workshop b: (09.30-10.00) E03 Widen Application of Precautionary Principle


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Workshop c: (10.00-10.15) E07 Oppose Stonehenge Tunnel Plan

Queens Suite 1 Workshop a: (09.00-09.50) D04 Updated Policy on Electoral Alliances

Workshop b: (09.50-10.15) D05 Relinquishing Progressive Alliance

Queens Suite 6 Hustings

Queens Suite 3 Meeting: Joint Meeting of Agriculture, Forestry, Wildlife and Countryside Policy Groups (all welcome)

Queens Suite 5 Meeting: Green Seniors (all welcome)

Registration desk

Walking tour of Harrogate, led by Gilly Charters, Chair of Harrogate and District Green Party. Meet at registration desk at 09.00 for departure at 09.15

10.30-12.00 Auditorium Wales Leader Speech from Grenville Ham PLENARY Section E (Policy)


Queens Suite 5 Meeting: Transport Policy Working Group (all welcome)

12.45-14.00 Queens Suite 7 Fringe: What next for the pro-European left?

Queens Suite 1 Fringe: Reflecting on alliances and electoral strategy: a participatory workshop

Kings Suite Training: Engaging voters all year round pt. 2: Door knocking and collecting data

Queens Suite 4 Workshop a: (12.45-13.10) D07 Compositing of Motions to Conference

Workshop b: (13.10-13.35) D08 Conference Accessibility

Workshop c: (13.35-14.00) D09 Interim Policy Positions

Queens Suite 2 Workshop a: (12.45-13.30) D10 Campaigning Priorities

Workshop b: (13.30-14.00) D11 Set up Constitutional Reform working group

Queens Suite 5 Meeting: Wildlife and Habitats Policy Working Group (all welcome)

14.15-16.15 Auditorium Co-Leader speech from Jonathan Bartley, with introduction from Caroline Lucas PLENARY Section D (Organisational); Emergency Motions

16.30-17.45 Queens Suite 1 Fringe: The Green Party's new climate change campaign

Queens Suite 7 Fringe: Leaders Q&A

Kings Suite Training: Local Elections Masterclass: Building a sustainable campaign team (advanced)

Queens Suite 4 Workshop a: (16.30-16.55) D12 Introduce a Procedural Card to Conference Plenaries


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Workshop b: (16.55-17.20) D13 Parliamentary Candidates May Remain in Place up to 18 Months After General Election

Queens Suite 2 Workshop a: (16.30-17.00) D14 Election of Leadership Team using Ordered List ...

Workshop b: (17.00-17.30) D16 Allow One-Year Members to stand for GPEX

Queens Suite 5 Meeting: Agriculture Policy Working Group (all welcome)

18.00-19.15 Queens Suite 1 PANEL DISCUSSION: After Grenfell: what lessons have we learned about council accountability?

Queens Suite 7 Fringe: Climate Change: The Challenge of COP Bonn and what we can achieve building on Paris COP

Queens Suite 2 Fringe: Our dependency on the sea (ends 20.00)

Kings Suite Training: Winning council seats in 2018

Queens Suite 4 Workshop: F01 - Energy Policy Draft Voting Paper

Queens Suite 3 Workshop: F02 - Tax and Fiscal Policy Draft Voting Paper

19.30-20.45 Kings Suite BME candidate and councillor networking event (also open to prospective BME candidates)

TUESDAY 10 OCTOBER

Registration open 08.30-16.30, catering 08.30-16.00

09.00-10.15 Queens Suite 1 Fringe: Middle-class Greens: overcoming the class divide

Queens Suite 3 Fringe: Social Care, community and the core economy - Much more than money and services!

Kings Suite Training: Sessions for local party officers (Fundraising, Press and social media, Elections)

Queens Suite 5 Meeting (policy): Energy Policy Working Group (all welcome)

10.30-12.30

Auditorium PLENARY Section D continued


13.00-14.15 Auditorium Fringe: Q&A with Green Party Executive

Queens Suite 3 Fringe: Frack Free Ryedale: How We Can Win The Fight Against Fracking

Kings Suite Training: Sessions for local party officers (Membership, Equality and diversity)


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14.30-15.45 Auditorium Deputy Leader speech CLOSING PLENARY Remaining Business, Emergency Motions

PANEL DISCUSSIONS AT CONFERENCE

Saturday 18.15-19.30

What should the new economy look like?

Capitalism is in crisis. It’s fomenting anxiety, increasing inequality, and spreading insecurity. No political party has as yet fully grasped what should come next, what the model for the future of society and subsistence needs to look like. This panel will seek to answer that question.

Chair: Jonathan Bartley, Co-Leader Molly Scott Cato MEP Professor Guy Standing, Professorial Research Associate at SOAS University of London and a founder member and honorary co-president of the Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN) Dr Jason Hickel, Anthropologist at LSE and author of ‘The Divide: A Brief Guide to Global Inequality and its Solutions’ Laura Bannister, Founder, World Basic Income

Sunday 15.30-16.45

What does Brexit mean for our environment?

Brexit looks set to dominate the political agenda for the next few years and this panel will debate to what extent this might create opportunities for enhanced action to tackle the threats to our natural world or poses a critical risk.

Chair: Caroline Lucas MP Ruth Davis, Deputy Director of Global Programmes at RSPB Peter Dixon, Brexit Task Force – UK Environmental Law Association Prof Tim Lang - Professor of Food Policy at City University

Monday 18.00-19.15

After Grenfell: what lessons have we learned about council accountability?

A vacuum of accountability has, for too long, existed in Kensington and Chelsea Council and in councils across England and Wales. The disastrous effects of this were shown by the Grenfell fire. What lessons can we learn about holding councils to account and the need to elect more opposition Green councillors to local authorities? Chair: Amelia Womack, Deputy Leader Jennifer Nadel, Green candidate for Kensington Joe Delaney, Grenfell Action Group


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FRINGE SESSIONS AND MEETINGS AT CONFERENCE

SATURDAY

12.30-13.45 Green Party Women: Being a woman or non-binary in politics A session of facilitated discussion and mutual support. Please do bring your lunch along! We'll be hearing from a number of prominent members about their experiences and advice for other women and non-binary members hoping to get elected either internally or into public office.

12.30-13.45 Meeting: Climate Change Policy Working Group (all welcome) This meeting will prepare for the workshop and plenary on Voting Paper B1 and discuss work priorities following conference. Members may raise other matters. Contact: [email protected]

14.45-16.00 First Timer’s Guide to Conference, incl. Policy Process training (starts 15.15) Ricky Knight and Jenny Vernon, Conferences Committee, and Sam Riches, Policy Development Co-ordinator Don’t know which sessions to prioritise? Not sure which sessions are open to whom? Baffled by the protocol of plenaries? Unaware of the role of workshops on policy motions? Need some pointers on how to bring a policy motion to a future conference? This session will attempt to explain what we do at Conference, when, and why. Aimed at first timers and those who need a refresher course! Policy Process training will start at 15.15

14.45-16.00 Campaigning in rural areas - lessons from success on the Isle of Wight Vix Lowthion, Isle of Wight parliamentary candidate 2017 In June 2017, the Green vote on the Isle of Wight increased by a massive 37%, resulting in the second highest Green vote outside of Brighton. This was a marked contrast to a national decline in vote share - especially in the more urban areas. Green campaigns and values speak to many living in rural communities, where key priorities are environmental protection, conservation and fighting inequalities. The strong Green vote on the IoW is evidence that our future as a party must be to bring Green politics to these rural areas – and to win. MEMBERS ONLY

14.45-16.00 How do we get out of this economic mess? Natalie Bennett, former Leader Dealing with our overwhelming combined private and public debts and winning the battle against austerity. With Professor Steve Keen (Kingston University), author of ‘Can We Avoid Another Financial Crisis?’.

16.00-16.45 Conservation with a Camera Craig Jones, Wildlife Photographer A presentation of Craig’s stunning photographs set to music, showing where his passion for the natural world started and showing not only the beauty of the natural world but also the suffering. ‘My [aim] is to give all those animals a true and meaningful voice around the world. Even though I have to walk away from them, I want my images to be a visual remember that they were never forgotten, and their plight wasn't ignored.’ www.craigjoneswildlifephotography.co.uk

16.00-16.45 Singing Workshop in preparation for 18.30 flashmob in Harrogate town centre Janet Russell, Harrogate and District GP, and Natural Voice Practitioner (naturalvoice.net) Open to anyone who likes to sing, no music reading required, all material is accessible and taught by ear, harmony

http://www.craigjoneswildlifephotography.co.uk/

https://naturalvoice.net/


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parts that can be learnt fairly quickly, nothing too long, focus on fun and resistance, anti-fracking, being politically active, peace and justice. We will be practising some songs which we will then perform in Harrogate Town Centre on Sunday (and maybe popping up around the venue, too…)

16.00-16.45 Meeting: Reforming Conference Voting Working Group (all welcome) With much talk of the urgent need to make our Party fit for 21st century, members of our Working Group set up after the Autumn 2016 Conference invite you to help our Group to move forward by critically examining a set of draft feasibility studies to reform the way the Party makes its decisions. Contact: [email protected]

16.45-18.00 War on Want: ‘Living on the Margins: Protecting Migrant Workers’ Rights in a Precarious World’ With Brexit, the call to ‘control our borders’ risks being used to not only restrict freedom of movement but to undermine the rights of migrant workers. Migrant workers are too often blamed for worsening working conditions brought about by precarious contracts, outsourcing and privatisation. With the Government failing to tackle low pay, insecure work, and migrant workers’ rights threatened, how do we protect freedom of movement and the rights of migrant workers? With Jean Lambert MEP and the Green Party Trade Union Group.

16.45-18.00 Developing the Green Party's political strategy Jonathan Bartley, Co-Leader An opportunity to input into the future direction of the Green Party's political strategy, including hearing from, and putting questions to, members of the party's political strategy working group. MEMBERS ONLY

16.45-18.00 Barren Land: Reversing the Impact of Chemical Farming Oliver Dowding, organic farmer and Green Party Agriculture Speaker Over the past 70 years, farming has been transformed with a massive increase in the use of heavy machinery together with wide-scale use of artificial chemicals. This has increased yields but has devastated our native wildlife, with much of the countryside becoming a desert. In this session we will outline an alternative Green vision of farming and food production that works in harmony with nature and to revitalise rural life. With Nick Mole, Pesticides Action Network UK; Matt Shardlow, Chief Executive, BugLife; Molly Scott Cato, MEP for South West England and member of the European Parliament's Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee.

18.15-19.30 Electoral Reform Society: The myth of the return of two-party politics: where next for PR Reception with drinks and canapés. Come and enjoy a drink with Electoral Reform Society staff and members to hear about our work. Following the General Election and the publication of The 2017 General Election: Volatile Voting, Random Results, we are busy busting the myth of the return to two-party politics.

18.15-19.30 Direct Action, How to take it – a guide by Green councillors Association of Green Councillors Standing up for people's rights is what Greens do. Two Green councillors who have put their liberty on the line explain what is involved in direct actions and answer your questions. Because of her protests against tree felling Alison Teal, Sheffield Green councillor, was arrested, then released without charge and is now being sued by the council she sits on. Elise Benjamin will describe how she and other Green Councillors joined forces with campaigning comedian Mark Thomas to stop Oxford City Council criminalising homeless people.


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18.15-19.30 Meeting (policy): Health and Social Welfare Working Group (all welcome) The Health and Social Welfare policy Working Group is producing a comprehensive review of our policies for presentation at a future Conference, and maintains a watching brief on new developments. We discuss our draft documents on an electronic platform, and a core group meets regularly. We need more activists to accept responsibility and share this work. Contact: [email protected]

SUNDAY

09.30-10.45 Greening the Green Party’s Manifesto for the next Election Molly Scott Cato MEP and Rupert Read, Green House Think Tank With Corbyn now securely in control of Labour, we need a distinctive and prominent Green edge to the policies we present at the next election. Labour have adopted our 2015/17 ground; we must move on. Possible radical policies include realistic transitions to our long-term policies on Citizens Income, Land Value Tax, localisation and Monetary Reform; a practical offer on housing; jobs and automation; Brexit; land, food farming and wildlife policy; a new foreign and security policy and all in the context of coming to terms with zero growth. MEMBERS ONLY

09.30-10.45 Universal Basic Income. Its time has come David Bowles, Rother Green Party Dr Guy Standing, founder member and honorary co-president of the Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN), has devoted 30 years to developing this policy both in theory and practice. Come and hear how the simmering storm of inequality can be quelled as all of us become part of the solution. This will be an interactive session where we will make plans for a possible pilot scheme as contained in the Green Guarantee.

09.30-10.45 Meeting (officers) – Local and Regional Party Treasurers

This meeting is an opportunity for treasurers to meet the Finance Team from the national office as well as the Party Treasurer and Finance Co-ordinator on GPEx, and to ask any questions you many have on compliance or other issues.

15.30-16.45 How can a low carbon economy create new employment? Cllr Jonathan Essex, Redhill Green Party The Green Party supports a low carbon economy but this proposal meets opposition for fear of job losses. Many, in the Green and Labour movements, suggest that this need not be the case as new employment can be created to renovate the economic infrastructure, and develop new energy sources whilst reducing energy demands. How can this argument be put in a convincing form and what work is being done to develop detailed and evidenced proposals? With: Sam Mason, Policy Officer, Public and Commercial Services Union; Jenny Patient, Sheffield Climate Alliance; and Isobel Tarr, coalaction.org.uk.

http://www.basicincome.org/bien/


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15.30-16.45 A Green Voice in Europe – an update from our three MEPs Keith Taylor, Jean Lambert and Molly Scott Cato Join Keith, Jean and Molly for a whirlwind tour and discussion of their work. Find out the latest on Brexit, and what this means for Greens in the UK and across Europe. From supporting the clean energy revolution, to tackling tax evasion, addressing the UK's scandalous air quality and pressing for action on green jobs, hear how our MEPs are making the Green voice heard in Europe.

15.30-16.45 Meeting (policy) – Citizens/Basic Income Policy Working Group (all welcome) The Citzens/Basic Income Policy Working Group works to improve awareness of citizens/basic income inside and outside the Green Party and to develop policy in this area. Contact Clive Martin: [email protected]

18.30-19.45 National Education Union: School cuts - what's the damage? Join us to debate the impact of the biggest cuts to education funding in a generation. With soft drinks and nibbles.

18.30-19.45 Brexit: What Next for Young People? This panel brings together young greens from the constituent parts of the UK, and a young greens representative of the European federation to discuss what they want from the ongoing Brexit negotiations with the EU and what issues and campaigns matter since the UK voted to leave in June 2015. Chair: Jess Northey, International Committee; Speakers: Amelia Womack, Deputy Leader; Sam Murray, Co-Chair Young Greens; Ross Greer MSP; Kim van Sparrentak - FYEG Spokesperson; Keith Watts - Wales Young Greens.

18.30-19.45 Meeting (policy): Economics Policy Working Group (all welcome) Your chance to input your ideas for our economics policy and the policy making process. Contact Miriam Kennett: [email protected]

MONDAY

09.00-10.15 Political Education Strategy Nick Martin, Green Party CEO; Derek Wall and Jess Northey, Green Party Executive Committee European Green Parties are supported by political education groups, who provide in-depth analysis and strategy to strengthen the hand of activists on the ground. This session will explore how such political theory work can help activists pave the way to fundamental shifts in power, and will discuss how political education could be introduced to support the work of GPEW. MEMBERS ONLY

09.00-10.15 After Grenfell: what next for Social Housing? 2017's Grenfell Tower disaster and the election of a new Government has put social housing into sharp focus. Many consider this as a potential turning point for social housing policy in England and Wales but how? Will social housing now be seen as a social good, necessary and positive? This fringe will explore the future for social housing.

09.00-10.15 Joint Meeting of the Agriculture, Forestry, Wildlife and Countryside Working Groups


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There are many potential areas of overlap between these policy areas. Currently policy is signifcantly determined by the EU and financially supported by the EU Common Agriculture Policy. In developing policy for the future we need to ensure that our policy is coherent and consistent across these areas and that we do not appear to be making contradictory proposals in different but related policy areas. This session will provide an opportunity to look at overall policy aims, possible areas of overlap and to suggest ways forward.

12.45-14.00 What next for the pro-European left? Amelia Womack, Deputy Leader

The Brexit vote has left us reeling, but with the left in some ways stronger than ever, we have a responsibility to act. Can and should we try to stop Brexit? If it happens, how do we fight for a progressive deal? How can we continue to build alliances with the left across the continent? Join ‘Another Europe is Possible’ and a range of high profile speakers from the Green Party and beyond for a discussion of what comes next.

12.45-14.00 Reflecting on alliances and electoral strategy: a participatory workshop James Corré, Mid Sussex, Crawley & Horsham Green Party Jointly facilitated by one member in favour of electoral alliances with other parties and another who is opposed, this interactive workshop will offer members the opportunity to share experiences of the 2017 General Election campaign and explore strongly-held opinions in a more spacious way than is possible on the conference floor. The objective is to promote mutual understanding and unity in the Party, with a view to convergence of disparate views. The organisers will facilitate an open discussion in the ‘goldfish bowl’ format, as well as work exploring electoral strategy in pairs and small groups. MEMBERS ONLY

12.45-14.00 Wildlife and Habitats Policy Working Group Set up at Spring Conference 2016 we have so far done a policy trawl of all existing policy relating to wildlife and habitats pulling together a very rough draft chapter. We need members who are willing to meet up and work on this and help with the background research. If you are interested in wildlife and want to help us please do come along to our meeting. Contact Jane Carruthers: [email protected]

16.30-17.45 The Green Party's new climate change campaign Come and find out more about our new climate change campaign and how you can get involved.

16.30-17.45 Leaders’ Q&A with Jonathan Bartley, Caroline Lucas and Amelia Womack Your chance to ask the Leadership team your burning questions. 16.30-17.45 Meeting: Agriculture Policy Working Group At the previous conference in April the Party agreed to prepare a revised policy for Agriculture and Food in the light of Brexit. This working group session will be an opportunity to look at progress so far, to consider the principles and aims of any future policy. There will be work to be done in preparation for bringing forward a draft policy to the the next spring conference. Anyone who would like to be involved in this is encouraged to come along. Contact David

18.00-19.15 Climate Change: The Challenge of COP Bonn and what we can achieve building on Paris COP Miriam Kennett, Green Economics Institute Should we be discussing the possibility of rationing the carbon of everyone on earth to two tonnes per year? The


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Greens have always taken on difficult challenges, and there have been few as difficult as tackling climate change, but the United Nations believes our economic policies could really work and change our impact on the climate. This fringe prepares the work of COP23 where we will be working with other NGOs from around the world, especially Asia, Japan and Korea. It also links our climate suggestions with really practical economics impacts and futures which are being accepted as viable by governments around the world.

18.00-20.00 Our Dependency on the Sea Bill Rigby, Harrogate and District Green Party This fringe, organised with Harrogate United Nations Association, will look at one of the Sustainable Development Goals, SDG14, and its implications both locally (in a landlocked community) and its implication for GPEW Marine policy. SDG14 says: "Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development " for the novice, there are 17 Sustainable Development Goals, successors to the Millennium Development Goals which were reviewed in 2015. It gives us a lever to revise (modestly) our current policy to incorporate the latest progressive thinking on dealing with the tragedy of the exploitation of the seas.

TUESDAY

09.00-10.15 Middle-class Greens: overcoming the class divide Caroline New, Bristol Green Party Across the world, poor, working-class and indigenous people face the worst effects of environmental crises and often lead resistance to destructive policies. Yet in the UK and other rich countries, environmentalism is seen as for the middle-class. Against our will, the culture and assumptions of the Green Party can be a barrier to working-class people. Ignoring class differences doesn’t help. Instead, middle-class activists need to become aware of our class history and experience so as to make intelligent changes. This participatory session introduces a new pamphlet by Seán Ruth and Caroline New, ‘Ending Classism: the role of middle-class activists’.

09.00-10.15 Social Care, community and the core economy - Much more than money and services! Cllr Bob Rhodes, Forest of Dean Green Party Our challenge is to dismantle a dysfunctional and unnatural public services system that has been mired in the lunacy of marketization and commodification for more than three decades; and to instead nurture and sustain a society where we are all supported to take the helm in our own lives and the lives of those we love; and where our public services are actively supplementary and complementary to the core economy that they too often disempower and discourage. Strengths-Based thinkers and practitioners from The Centre for Welfare Reform, LivesthroughFriends, the Coproduction movement and Vanguard Thinking will inform the debate.

13.00-14.15 Q&A with the Green Party Executive MEMBERS ONLY A chance to put your questions to Green Party Executive members.

13.00-14.15 How We Can Win The Fight Against Fracking

Frack Free Ryedale will provide an overview of the fracking industry’s plans for the UK, and the dangers this will bring to our health, climate, environment and local communities. With fracking poised to start in Yorkshire and Lancashire, the speakers will discuss how this unwanted, unnecessary and unsafe industry can be stopped - before it's too late.


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TRAINING PROGRAMME

SATURDAY

14.45-16.00

How we win local elections in the Green Party: an introduction

Robert Lindsay, Field Organiser Eastern

A basic introduction to our election-winning strategy, including the psychology of persuasion and the importance of effective frequency.

16.45-18.00 Choosing a target ward that will give you the best chance of winning Chris Williams, Green Party Regional Manager (elections)

Understand the key things to look at when selecting where to target your campaigning efforts and how to collect information on the local area

16.45-18.00 Local elections masterclass: messaging (advanced) James Burn, London Green Party An explanation of how to develop emotive messaging for your campaign and how to apply it across your campaign.

18.15-19.30 Taster sessions with take away materials for all Andrew Cooper, Field Organiser - Yorkshire and Humber, and Peggy Wiseman, Field Organiser - West Midlands

Session one -Candidate recruitment, delivering your ward newsletters, community casework

Concurrent introductory sessions to give insight into key tools in our election campaigns

18.15-19.30 Local Elections Masterclass: Literature (advanced) Chris Williams, Green Party Regional Manager (elections) Learn the techniques for producing a top quality regular newsletter for your target ward, including common mistakes to avoid.

SUNDAY

09.30-10.45 Finding and recruiting people to your campaign team Jenny Vernon, Field Organiser South West, and Peggy Wiseman, Field Organiser - West Midlands Learn techniques for finding and recruiting activists to help build a strong and impactful campaign.

15.30-16.45 Local election campaigns: learning from the best Robert Lindsay, Field Organiser Eastern


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Presentations and case studies: hearing from some of our most successful election campaign leaders as they share the secrets of their success.

MONDAY

09.00-10.15

Engaging voters all year round pt. 1: creating literature that wins votes

Martin Schmierer, Field Organiser Eastern, and James Burn, London Green Party

Come and see how to produce a compelling year-round newsletter for your target ward that will win the hearts and minds of your voters – and take away a finished product.

12.45-14.00 Engaging voters all year round pt. 2: Door knocking and collecting data Jonathan Elmer, Field Organiser - North East and East Midlands, and James Burn, London Green Party

How to use doorstep conversations that build votes, and how to collate and use voter data to maximise our election wins.

16.30-17.45 Local Elections Masterclass: Building a sustainable campaign team (advanced) David Beales, Field Organiser - South East Understand how to build a campaign team that will sustain your local party through countless campaigns.

18.00-19.15 Winning council seats in 2018 – the full package James Burn, London Green Party, and Guy Poultney, Field Organiser - South West

Learn the full package – what your campaign should look like between now and 3 May. Includes a take away campaign plan template.

TUESDAY

09.00-10.15

Sessions for local party officers (NB these sessions are aimed at officers but open to all members who are

interested):

Fundraising officers: How to raise funds to support your local election campaign Alastair Binnie-Lubbock, Green Party Fundraising Officer

Press and social media officers: How to create engaging online content and write press releases . Katasha McKullough, Green Party Press and Communications Officer

Election agents: how to manage election expenses and candidate nominations Eamonn Ward, Sheffield Green Party


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13.00-14.15 Sessions for local party officers (NB these sessions are aimed at officers but open to all members who are interested):

Membership secretaries: How to recruit, engage and retain your members. Henry Gates, Green Party Membership Engagement Officer

Equality and diversity officers: How to create an open and inclusive party for all.

David Beales, Field Organiser - South East

Policy Working Groups discuss current Green Party policy in relation to policy developments in the wider

world and assess the need for additions and changes to our current policies. They also work on major

amendments to policy chapters. To find out more or join a working group please get in touch with the

relevant convenor of the group as listed on the members

website:https://my.greenparty.org.uk/policy/policy-working-groups

There are currently groups looking at the following policy areas:

Animal Protection, Citizen's/Basic Income Climate Change, Co-Operatives Crime & Justice, Democratic

Reform & Public Administration Disability Drugs, Education, Energy, Equality and Diversity, Food &

Farming, Forestry, Housing, Jobs & Industry, Monetary Reform, Peace & Defence, Rebecca Johnson,

Population, Rural Affairs, Scientific Greens, Tax and Fiscal Policy,

Transport, Waste, Wildlife and Habitats, Workers' Rights

If you belong to a working group not listed here, or would like to set up a new group, contact the Policy

Development Co-ordinator: [email protected]

Green Shop at Conference

We will be selling a small selection of Green Party products from the Yorkshire and Humber/Harrogate

GP stall including organic t-shirts, badges and rosettes.

[Can we add some images?]

https://my.greenparty.org.uk/policy/policy-working-groups

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Want%20to%20Setup%20New%20Policy%20Working%20Group

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