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Conference Extra Spring Conference13–15 March 2020, York

ContentsDirectory Extra:

Information update 4

Fringe and Training update 5

Agenda Extra:

Saturday 14 March 8

Sunday 15 March 11

Emergency motions ballot 13

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

Published by the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrats, 8–10 George Street, London, SW1P 3AE.

Spring Conference 2020

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 each morning from the Information Desk and of Conference Extra from the Riso/Midshire stand in the exhibition.

Conference Extra and other conference publications, in PDF and plain text formats, are available online at

www.libdems.org.uk/conference_papers

Liberal Democrats

Design and layout by Mike Cooper, [email protected].

The Federal Conference Committee

Geoff Payne, Chair

Non-Voting:Mike Dixon, Federal Chief ExecutiveAmy Westcott, Staff Rep

Federal Conference Committee helpdesk

Conference Extra Liberal Democrats Spring Conference 2020 2

Friday 13 March 17.00–18.00Saturday 14 March 09.00–10.30 Saturday 14 March 14.00–16.00

Members of the FCC will be available to give advice at the Information Desk at the following times:

The Federal Policy Committee

Ed Davey MP, Acting Chair

Sally Burnell, Vice Chair

Jeremy Hargreaves, Vice Chair

Mark Pack, Party President

Aria Babu Duncan Brack Belinda Brooks-Gordon

Alisdair Calder McGregor

Christine Cheng Richard Cole Tara Copeland Oliver Craven Helen Cross Alyssa GilbertAlec Dauncey

Tony Greaves Robert Harrison Elizabeth Jewkes

Susan Juned Mohsin Khan Sarah Ludford Catherine Royce

Baroness Julie Smith

Elinor Anderson

Peter Thornton

Wera Hobhouse MP

Jon Ball, Vice Chair

Nicholas da Costa, Vice Chair

Cara Jenkinson, Vice Chair


Chris Adams Duncan Brack John Bridges

Joe OttenSimon McGrathChris MainesLiz LynneJenni LangJames GurlingJon BurreeBelinda Brooks Gordon

Bex Scott Jenni Rigg Rachelle Shepherd Dubey

Non-votingGeoff Payne, FCC repAdele Morris, LGA repJames Bliss, YL rep

Joseph Toovey

Members’ RallyJoin Lib Dems from across the country

at the Spring Conference Rally.All Members welcome!

Where? York Barbican, AuditoriumWhen? Friday 13 March, 18.30–19.30



Isabelle Parasram, Vice

President

Jeremy Hargreaves, Vice-Chair,

FPC rep

Sheila Ritchie, Scottish Party

Convenor

Paula Yates, Chair, Welsh

NEC

Ed Davey MP, Acting Co-

Leader

Christine Jardine MP,

Parliamentary Group rep

Lord Paul Strasburger,


Munira Wilson MP,


Chris White, Principal Local

Authority Councillor

Lisa-Maria Bornemann, English Party

rep

Kevin Lang, Scottish Party

rep

Bill Powell, Welsh Party rep

Geoff Payne, FCC Chair

Jonathan Fryer, FIRC Chair

Lisa Smart, FCEC Chair

Tony Harris, FFRC Chair

Barbara Gibson, FPDC Chair

Helena Cole, FASC Chair

Tara Copeland, Young Liberals

Chair

Luke Cawley-Harrison

Ruby Chow

Elaine Bagshaw, Vice-Chair

Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Chair, English Party

Federal Board helpdeskMembers of the Federal Board (FB) will be at the FB helpdesk, by the Information Desk in the York Barbican at the following times:

Kishan Devani Neil Fawcett James Gurling Jo Hayes Caron Lindsay Simon McGrath

Candy PiercySaturday 14 March 10.30–12.30 Saturday 14 March 14.00–16.00Sunday 15 March 10.30–12.30

Roisin Miller Joyce Onstad

The Federal Board

Non-votingTerry Stacy, LGA repAlistair Carmichael MP, Chief Whip (Commons)Mike German, Federal TreasurerMike Dixon, Federal Chief ExecutiveWill Dyer, Staff rep

April Preston Alice Thomas

Download our Conference App for Spring Conference, with great features such as My Schedule (the easiest way to plan your conference) and a searchable Fringe Guide and Agenda, Conference Extra, and Conference Daily as it is published.To download the App visit App Store or Google Play

For Blackberry / Windows Phone visit www.libdemconference.org.uk

Conference App

Coronavirus – COVID-19 – important information

Public Health England (PHE) says: There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus.

Public Health England recommends that the following general cold and flu precautions are taken to help prevent people from catching and spreading COVID-19:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.

• Put used tissues in the bin straight away.• Try to avoid close contact with people who are

unwell.• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects

and surfaces.• Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your

hands are not clean.• Wash your hands with soap and water often

– use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available. See hand washing guidance at:www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQCP7waTRWU&feature=youtu.be

If you are worried about symptoms, please call NHS 111. Do not go directly to your GP or other healthcare environment.

Further information is available on the PHE blog and at NHS.UK.

Face masks for the general public are not recommended to protect from infection, as there is no evidence of benefit from their use outside healthcare environments.

If you have travelled here within the last 14 days from Iran, Hubei province, China and/or special care zones in South Korea (Daegu, Cheongdo, Gyeongsan), stay indoors and avoid contact with others even if you have no symptoms. Do the same if you have travelled from Italy since 9th March.

If you have travelled here within the last 14 days from mainland China (outside Hubei province), South Korea (outside the special care zones), Cambodia, Hong Kong, Japan, Laos,

Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam, stay indoors and avoid contact with others if you have a cough, high temperature, or shortness of breath, even if mild.

Please note that there will be antibacterial hand gel available in all official venues.

Please respect those attendees who do not wish to shake hands or make any other physical contact.

More information is available here: https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/ 2020/01/23/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-what-you-need-to-know/

and here: www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

Q&A sessions

There will be a series of Q&A sessions at Spring Conference where you can come along and ask questions of the Party’s spokespeople.

All sessions take place on Saturday 14 March in the York Barbican, Lendal Room. 11.00–12.00Home Affairs and JusticeWith Daisy Cooper MP, Christine Jardine MP and Lord Jonathan Marks. 13.00–14.00Climate Change and the EnvironmentWith Wera Hobhouse MP and Lord Jonny Oates. 14.30–15.30Business and TradeWith Sarah Olney MP and Baroness Lorely Burt.

Speaker’s cards

Speaker’s cards can be submitted electronically up to one hour before the start of a debate, at:

www.libdems.org.uk/speakers-card

For more information about speaking at conference, see page 11 of the published Agenda and Directory.

Information update


www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQCP7waTRWU&feature=youtu.be

https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/ 2020/01/23/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-what-you-need-to-know/

www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public


The following events are additions to those listed in the fringe guide in the Conference Agenda and Directory.

Friday mid evening 20.15–21.30Women and Girls in PoliticsWomen and Girls in Politics Pre-Launch Drinks ReceptionFormer MEP Barbara Gibson is launching a new social enterprise aimed at getting more women and girls active in politics. Come for a drink and help get it off the ground!Novotel, Meeting Room 6

Saturday mid evening 19.45–21.00Liberal Democrats for Electoral ReformWinning PR for Westminster: is it time to “Unite to Reform”?Join Wendy Chamberlain MP and guests from the Electoral Reform Society, Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform and Unite to Reform for a lively workshop on how we can win proportional representation for Westminster.Novotel, Meeting Room 6

FREE WIFIBarbican

Network: Barbican Free Wi-Fi.No password is required.

NovotelNetwork: Novotel.

No password required. Select complimentary wifi, enter your email address, tick to accept

terms and click on connect.

HiltonAs the password changes daily, please check

with the front desk.

Fringe update CIVIC DRINKS

RECEPTION Members are invited to join Cllr Keith Aspden,

Leader of City of York Council, and York Councillors for welcome drinks before the Members’ Rally.

Friday 13 March 2020, 17.15–18.00,

York Barbican

Hosted by the Rt Hon the Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Julie Gunnell

Friday 7 March 17.15–18.00, York Barbican

Members are invited to join the Rt Hon the Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Julie Gunnell and Party President Tim Farron for a drink and speeches ahead of the Party’s traditional Conference Rally.

Civic Drinks ReceptionHosted by the Rt Hon the Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Julie Gunnell



Civic Drinks Reception

Hosted by the Rt Hon the Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Julie Gunnell



Civic Drinks Reception


Training & Skills Progamme updateAmendment to the information in the Training & Skills Programme:

Saturday 14.30–15.45 and 16.15–17.30

Compliance training for local party TreasurersAn essential guide for new and experienced treasurers.Compliance Team.Hilton, Micklegate Room

Please note that these are a two-part training session – please attend both sessions.

WELCOME TO TRAINING AT SPRING CONFERENCE 2020!

MORNING SESSIONS AFTERNOON SESSIONS

NOVOTEL 0930-1045 1115-1230 1430-1545 1615-1730

Meeting room 1+2CAMPAIGNS

GROWING THROUGH CAMPAIGNSCAMPAIGNS

BUILDING TO WIN IN 2024CAMPAIGNS

BEING THE CREDIBLE CHALLENGER

CAMPAIGNSWINNING CONTROL OF YOUR

COUNCIL

SESSION CODE CAMP001 CAMP002 CAMP003 CAMP004

Meeting room 3DISCIPLINARY PROCESS TRAINING

INVITE ONLYDISCIPLINARY PROCESS TRAINING

INVITE ONLYMEMBERSHIP

INTRO TO LIGHTHOUSEMEMBERSHIP

INTRO TO LIGHTHOUSE

SESSION CODE DISC001 DISC002 MEMB001 MEMB002

Meeting room 4RDC

YOUR JOURNEY TO BECOMING AN MP

RDC/CGBBUILDING A POLITICAL PROFILE IN

THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

SIMON DE DENEYPOWERFUL POLITICAL STORYTELLING

SIMON DE DENEYPUBLIC SPEAKING

SESSION CODE RDCA001 RDCA002 CAMP005 CAMP006

Meeting room 5FCC

INTRODUCTION TO GETTING THE MOST OUT OF SPRING CONFERENCE

DIVERSITYBUILDING INCLUSIVE TEAMS

DIVERSITYUNCONCIOUS BIAS - WHAT IT IS AND

WHY IT MATTERS

HREMPLOYMENT AND WELLBEING BEST

PRACTICES

SESSION CODE FCCO001 DIVE001 DIVE002 WELL001

Meeting room 6 CGB - SPEAKING AT CONFERENCE CGB - BOUNCING BACKHOW CGB CAN HELP YOU GET

ELECTEDCGB - STAYING SAFE ON SOCIAL

MEDIA

SESSION CODE CGBA001 CGBA002 CGBA003 CGBA004

Hilton 0930-1045 1115-1230 1430-1545 1615-1730

Micklegate RoomCOMPLIANCE/ALDC

AGENT & ELECTION LAWCOMPLIANCE/ALDC

AGENT & ELECTION LAW

COMPLIANCETRAINING FOR LOCAL PARTY

TREASURERS

COMPLIANCETRAINING FOR LOCAL PARTY

TREASURERS

SESSION CODE COMP001 COMP001 COMP002 COMP003

Bootham RoomALDC

MANAGING CASEWORK FOR CANDIDATES AND COUNCILLORS

ALDCBE A COUNCILLOR - TAKING THE CLIMATE AGENDA FORWARD ON

YOUR COUNCIL

ALDCPICK A WARD AND WIN IT - GOOD

LOCAL ELECTION LITERATURE

ALDCPICK A WARD AND WIN IT - GOTV

AND USING CONNECT TO WIN YOUR LOCAL ELECTION

SESSION CODE ALDC001 ALDC002 ALDC003 ALDC004

Walmgate Room

ALDCPICK A WARD AND WIN IT - WHAT IS

MY MESSAGE FOR THE LOCAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN

ALDCTECHNICAL TRAINING - HOW TO DO

DIRECT MAIL

ALDCTECHNICAL TRAINING -

UNDERSTANDING YOUR AUDIENCE FOR FACEBOOK ADVERTISING

ALDCDEVELOPING SKILLS - PERSUADING

ELECTORS TO VOTE FOR US

SESSION CODE ALDC005 ALDC006 ALDC007 ALDC008

Minster SuiteCANDIDATES

YOU COULD BE AN MPCANDIDATES

LOCAL AND REGIONAL MEDIA SKILLSFUNDRIAISING

PLANNING TO RAISE, RAISING TO WINFUNDRAISING

HOW TO APPROACH LARGE DONORS

SESSION CODE CAND001 CAND002 FUND001 FUND002

Coppergate Suite Training organiser office / storage

On the timetable below you will see details of all of our training sessions. As part of our push to save paper we are trialling the use of online sign in and feedback.

You will notice that each session has been allocated a code. Your session trainer will give you a link. Once you login you can use the code to sign into your session and leave us feedback.

As this is a trial process, if you have any comments then let us know on [email protected]

Additional information to the introduction to the Training & Skills Programme:

Online sign-in and feedbackOn the timetable below you will see details of all of our training sessions. As part of our push to save paper we are trialling the use of online sign-in and feedback. You will notice that each session has been allocated a code. Your session trainer will give you a link. Once you login you can use the code to sign in to your session and leave us feedback.

As this is a trial process, if you have any comments then let us know on [email protected]

Saturday 14 March09.00 Party business

Aide: Cllr Joe Otten. Hall Aide: Geoff Payne (Chair, FCC).

09.10 Party business

Aide: Cllr Joe Otten. Hall Aide: Geoff Payne (Chair, FCC).

F2 Report of the Federal Conference Committee

Q1. Submitted by: Matthew Eves

What progress has been made towards a more inclusive internal voting system for policy such as electronic voting, both within the conference venue and remotely?

09.30 Policy motion

Aide: Cara Jenkinson (Vice Chair, FCC).

F4 Hong Kong

The FCC has agreed to make the following drafting amendment to the motion:

In 2. (line 41) after ‘excessive’ insert ‘civil’.

Amendment Two

Liberal Democrats Overseas and 10 membersMover: George Cunningham.Summation: Sarah Cheung Johnson.

After 3. (line 44) add:

4. The UK Government to continue to implement and account for the recommendations made by Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights in March 2019 to monitor and take appropriate measures, for any erosion of autonomy, rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Joint Declaration and enshrined in the Basic Law.

F5 General Election Review

This session is your opportunity to feed into the 2019 General Election Review.

So far, the review panel has received over 22,000 responses to the members’ survey as well as many fantastic submissions from individuals, groups, and regions. These cover in great detail the challenges and mistakes made in 2019, as well as some successes, both at a local, regional, state and national level. The review panel would particularly value contributions on the following three themes, as well as feedback on any other areas that you think may not already be under consideration:

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Saturday 14 March• What does “being a Liberal Democrat” mean to you?• How can we constantly learn and improve as a party and organisation?• Where is our biggest opportunity for ensuring future electoral successes? The panel would welcome contributions regarding all levels of the party, as well those concerning interactions between local, regional and state parties with the national party.

Speeches on this item will be limited to three minutes. Any party member wishing to make a contribution should submit 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 electronically up to one hour before the start of the session, using the online form at www.libdems.org.uk/speakers-card

For more information about speaking at conference, see page 11 of the published Agenda and Directory. This session is for party members only.

F6 Children in Care

The FCC has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion:

In B. (line 5), delete ‘(LAC)’.

In C. (line 12), in D. (line 14) and in b) (line 46), delete ‘LAC’ and insert ‘Looked-after Children’.

In E. (line 20), delete ‘a children’s place in a residential home’ and insert ‘ to live in a residential home’.

In iv) (line 37), delete ‘birth’.

In a) (line 45), delete ‘children’ and insert ‘families’.

Delete d) (lines 55–57) and insert:

d) Bring forward, as a matter of urgency, its proposals for new national standards for unregulated accommodation, including a ban on the placement of children aged under 16 in unregulated accommodation, to ensure that councils find high-quality places for those older teenagers in care who are ready to transition into independent living.

In f) (line 63), delete ‘Explore whether an allowance scheme should be set up’ and insert ‘Commission an allowance scheme’.

In line 68, delete ‘children’ and insert ‘families’.

Amendment One

11 membersMover: Janet Grauberg.Summation: James Kempton.

After g) (line 66), insert:

h) Extend the therapeutic support made available through the Adoption Support Fund to

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all children and young people in care, or who have experience of care, who are assessed as needing help with building positive relationships, developing confidence or managing emotions and behaviour.

Amendment Two

11 membersMover: Janet Grauberg.Summation: James Kempton.

After g) (line 66), insert:

h) Urgently provide additional funding to help local authorities identify and support those children and young people in care, or with experience of care, who need to apply for EU Settled Status by the deadline of June 2021, and engage with local authority representatives to remove any barriers (for example within the Family Court system) to accessing the required documentation.

14.10 Policy motion

Aide: Cara Jenkinson (Vice Chair, FCC). Hall Aide: Jennie Rigg.

F8 Electoral Reform


Delete 1. (lines 50–52) and insert:

1. Proportional representation by the Single Transferable Vote system to elect all UK MPs and local councillors in England, being one of the voting mechanisms that meet the terms of the Make Votes Matter Good Systems Agreement, signed by the Liberal Democrats in April 2019, and which would:

Amendment One

East CambridgeshireMover: Cllr Lorna Dupre.Summation: Cllr Charlotte Cane.

After 7. (line 75), insert:

8. Consideration to be given to automatic registration of electors as a way of increasing voter participation and turnout.

F9 Manifesto Feedback Consultation

Speeches on this item will be limited to two minutes. Any party member wishing to make a contribution should submit 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 electronically up to one hour before the start of the session, using the online form at www.libdems.org.uk/speakers-card

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For more information about speaking at conference, see page 11 of the published Agenda and Directory. This session is for party members only.

F10 Topical issue discussion on Europe

The selected title for the discussion is: The UK’s Future Relationship with the EU; the title was submitted by Rt Hon Alistair Carmichael MP. F11 Report of the Federal Board

Q1. Submitted by Andrew Hudson

What are the Board’s proposals for campaigning in the local elections in May in the event of the coronavirus resulting in restrictions on close contact?

17.05 Party business

Aide: Bex Scott. Hall Aide: Geoff Payne (Chair, FCC).

F13 Supporting the Trans and Non-Binary Communities within the Liberal Democrats

Amendment One


Delete a) (lines 11–12) and insert: a) Trans women are women, trans men are men, non-binary identities are non-binary and

all are valid.

Sunday 15 MarchF14 Reports of the Parliamentary Parties

Mover: Caroline Voaden (Europe).

F15 Emergency motions or topical issue discussions

The FCC has allocated a slot at F15A for a topical issue discussion on Coronavirus.

Suggestions for the title for the topical issue discussion should be submitted using the online form at www.libdems org.uk/conference_submissions, by 17.00 Thursday 12 March – see page 13 of the published Agenda and Directory. The selected title will be printed in Saturday’s Conference Daily.

F15B will be a debate on one of the emergency motions selected for debate from the three motions proposed for the ballot – see page 13.

Saturday 14 March


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The motion selected for debate will be printed in Saturday’s Conference Daily.

F16 Welcoming Child Refugees

Summation: Irina Von Wiese.

Amendment One

Liberal Democrat Christian ForumMover: Lizzie Jewkes.Summation: Elizabeth Craig.

After iii) (line 11), insert:

iv) Many child refugees and victims of human trafficking arrive in the UK with little or no English or having experienced trauma or exploitation, and need support navigating the challenging and confusing immigration, care, legal and other services they encounter on their arrival.

After d) (line 30), insert:

e) The Conservative Government has delayed the full rollout of a system of independent guardians in England and Wales to represent, support and safeguard child victims of human trafficking in their interactions with different agencies and processes, despite having legislated for it in 2015.

In 5. (line 43), after ‘specialist legal advice’ insert ‘and support, including by appointing an independent guardian for each child, prioritising those children who are victims of human trafficking’.

F17 Student Mental Health Charter

Amendment One

10 membersMover: Dr Mohsin Khan.Summation: TBC.

In b) (line 29), after ‘services’ insert ‘; and provision for students to sign an “opt-in” letter when beginning university to give permission for the student’s parent(s), carer, and/or other trusted person to be informed if a student has a mental health problem at university’.

F18 Rt Hon Sir Edward Davey MP, Acting Co-Leader of the Liberal Democrats

ThespeechwillbeprecededbytheofficialhandoverofthePartyPresidencyfromBaronessBrintontoMark Pack.


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Sunday 15 March

Emergency Motions BallotOne of the following motions will be selected by ballot to be debated at F15B on Sunday 15 March. Ballot papers will be printed with Saturday’s Conference Daily and the ballot box will be open in the Auditorium between 09.00 and 12.50 on Saturday 14 March.

Emergency motion 1: Middle East Peace Plan

10 members

Conference expresses deep concern over the so-called peace plan announced by President Trump on 28 January 2002, notes that the Palestinian leadership had no chance to influence these proposals and rejected them, and that if implemented the plan would amongst other things:

A. Give all of Jerusalem to Israel with no Palestinian capital in the city.B. Create a non-contiguous set of territories in lieu of a viable secure Palestinian state.C. Allow for annexation of existing Israeli settlements and the Jordan Valley.D. Give Israel control of the airspace, borders and seas of the so-called new Palestinian

State.

Conference believes that implementation of this plan would:

i) Deny the legitimate right of self-determination to the Palestinian people.ii) Remove any realistic chance of a long-term just settlement with peace and security for

both Israel and Palestine, which is not in the interests of Israel.iii) Breach international law and in particular violate the vital principle of not acquiring

territory through war, which sets a dangerous precedent for other territorial conflicts and situations of belligerent occupation.

Conference notes the long-standing Liberal Democrat commitment to a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Conference reaffirms its beliefs, set out in motions Israel and the Palestinian Territories (2007) and The Centenary of the Balfour Declaration (2017), that:

a) A sustainable solution will only be reached in the context of two separate Israeli and Palestinian states, mutually recognised and internationally accepted, which are viable, peaceful, democratic and exist within borders which are secure and based on the situation before the 1967 conflict.

b) Any peace negotiation must allow the two states freely to negotiate land swaps to replace existing boundaries, namely the pre-1967 borders, with revised boundaries which the parties may agree between themselves on an arm’s-length basis, taking account of the unique position of the Holy City of Jerusalem and its various holy sites which are of religious significance to Jews, Christians and Muslims, and the principle that any territorial swaps should be made on the basis that territory ceded by one party to the other should be in exchange for territory of equivalent value.

c) The State of Palestine should now be recognised by the British Government.

Conference therefore calls on the British government to:

1. Reject the Trump plan as a basis for negotiations whilst reverting to the long-standing


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position of supporting negotiations on the basis of a viable two-state solution based on the 1967 lines, with a shared capital in Jerusalem and a just solution to the refugee issue.

2. Recognise the State of Palestine and support its membership at the United Nations. 3. Work with other international partners including the EU to mount a robust international

response to any breaches of international law including annexation, and to strive for a genuinely equitable and sustainable settlement.

Applicability: Federal.

Emergency motion 2: Save the BBC

10 members

Conference notes that:

i) On 16 February 2020, the Sunday Times reported that the Government plans to force the BBC to sell off most of its radio stations, close some television channels, scale back its website, and replace the television licence with a subscription model from 2027.

ii) The Prime Minister’s most senior adviser, Dominic Cummings, has described the BBC as the Conservative Party’s “mortal enemy” and his think-tank called for a campaign to undermine the BBC’s credibility, a new broadcaster akin to Fox News in the USA, and legalising political advertising on television.

iii) The Government’s consultation on decriminalising evasion of the licence fee, published on 5 February, admits that this would lead to higher, non-means-tested fines for evaders, the use of bailiffs, the loss of up to £150 million a year in revenue, and up to £45 million extra in collection costs, which could “significantly reduce the value for money for both licence fee payers and taxpayers”.

Conference believes that:

a) As a public service broadcaster, the BBC has a vital and unique place in the UK’s media landscape, with a mission to inform, educate and entertain across television, radio and online, unlike its competitors; this includes providing impartial news coverage, specialist education programming, risk-taking creative output and content that reflects all the UK’s nations and regions.

b) The BBC helps to promote the UK around the world, being one of the top four most recognised British brands internationally, according to 2018 research.

c) The UK’s creative industries require a strong, independent BBC, alongside a thriving independent television sector, to invest in British talent and prevent the domination of the media landscape by US corporates.

d) The Conservative Government is not interested in a fairer system of funding the BBC but is instead seeking to undermine it at every turn to force it to cut much-loved television and radio programmes and online services.

e) The Government was wrong to force upon the BBC the cost of free licences for people aged over 75, and that decisions such as this must be subject to proper consultation in future.

f) Dismantling the BBC was not in the Conservatives’ 2019 manifesto and the Government has no mandate to attack the broadcaster.

g) The current enforcement system means that fines are issued in line with people’s ability to pay, but the Government should use community-based sentences, not imprisonment, for those who refuse to pay this fine.


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h) Every politician and party has their frustrations with the BBC’s news and political coverage – Liberal Democrats included – but it is vital for our democracy that an independent, impartial broadcaster can hold our politicians to account.

Conference calls for:

1. The Conservative Government to protect the BBC as an independent, properly funded public service broadcaster, including by ruling out moving the BBC to a subscription model.

2. The Government to maintain stable and secure funding for the BBC through the continuation of the licence fee.

3. Future decisions about the level of the licence fee to be made by an independent body to better ensure the BBC’s financial, operational and editorial independence from the government of the day.

4. Senior politicians, particularly party leaders, to make themselves available for scrutiny by journalists, such as through televised interviews and debates, especially during election time.

5. The BBC’s workforce and output to be more diverse and reflective of the country it serves.


Emergency motion 3: Windrush and Deportations

13 members

Conference notes that:

i) The Windrush Scandal saw many innocent people who had every right to live in the UK wrongly denied their rights, detained and deported by the Home Office.

ii) The Government commissioned a “Lessons Learned Review” of the Windrush Scandal in 2018. Its report was originally due by 31st March 2019, but was then delayed until September 2019 and the Government still hasn’t published it.

iii) The Government suspended charter deportation flights in the aftermath of the Windrush Scandal because it could not guarantee that people would not be wrongfully deported, but has since resumed the flights.

iv) On 6th February 2020, BiD (Bail for Immigration Detainees) published the results of a survey which found that 41% of its clients in detention do not have legal representation, and that the quality of legal aid advice in detention centres is “generally poor”.

v) On 11th February 2020, the Government deported 17 people to Jamaica, some of whom have lived in the UK since childhood and some of whom fear being targeted by gangs on their return to Jamaica, even though the Court of Appeal had halted the deportation of 25 more people on the same flight because they lacked access to legal advice.

vi) The UK Borders Act 2007 requires the automatic deportation of any non-British citizen sentenced to at least 12 months in prison, unless certain narrow exceptions apply.

vii) In 2018, Stephen Shaw, who had been commissioned by the Government to review the detention of vulnerable people, recommended that “The Home Office should no longer routinely seek to remove those who were born in the UK or have been brought up here from an early age”.

Conference reaffirms the Liberal Democrat commitment to:



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a) Right the wrongs of the Windrush Scandal, with the full restoration of rights for each individual affected.

b) Abolish the Conservatives’ Hostile Environment.c) Reduce immigration detention to an absolute last resort, with a 28-day time limit and an

end to the detention of vulnerable people.d) Transfer policy-making on work permits, student visas and asylum away from the Home

Office and to the Departments for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Education and International Development respectively.

Conference calls on the Government to:

1. Publish the report of the Windrush Lessons Learned Review without further delay, and suspend all deportation flights until it has been published.

2. End the deportation of people who have lived in the UK since childhood.3. Repeal the law requiring automatic deportation of non-British citizens who have been

sentenced to 12 months or more in prison, and return to the more flexible pre-2007 rules for deporting serious criminals with weak connections to the UK.

4. Ensure that everyone in immigration detention – especially those at risk of deportation – has access to high-quality legal advice.




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