Liberal Democrats head to Blackpool Conference

8.24.39pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 17th Sep 2005

The Liberal Democrats have launched the agenda for next week's conference in Blackpool. No new policy papers will be put to the conference, but no fewer than 16 policy motions will be debated, plus emergency motions.

On Monday morning Nick Clegg will move a motion updating our policy on Europe following the French and Dutch referendums. On Tuesday morning Norman Lamb will propose a radical plan to safeguard the future of the post office network, enabling the reopening of around 500 post office branches, funded by selling shares in the Royal Mail. Also on Tuesday morning, Edward Davey will open a debate on school discipline, school communities and pastoral care, supporting the use of traditional 'House' systems and tutor groups. On Thursday morning, conference will be asked to back plans for defending civil liberties and improving parliamentary scrutiny of the executive, including ending ministers' use of the Royal Prerogative.

In addition to policy motions there will be keynote speeches from a number of leading party spokespeople, including new Shadow Health Secretary Steve Webb and new Shadow Secretary of State for Local Government Sarah Teather. Jim Wallace will make a speech on Wednesday to mark the end of his 13 years as Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

There will be two question and answer sessions - the now traditional questioning of Charles Kennedy on Monday afternoon (once again to be chaired by Independent editor Simon Kelner), plus an environment Q&A on Wednesday afternoon, where conference representatives will get the opportunity to put questions to spokespeople including Norman Baker and Vincent Cable.

In an innovative move two slots are being made available at the conference for the discussion of 'Urgent Issues', not to make party policy, but to allow conference reps and spokespeople an opportunity to discuss and comment on a political issue live at the time of conference.

The conference will close on Thursday lunchtime with Charles Kennedy's Leader's Speech.

THE AGENDA DAY BY DAY:

Sunday: agenda includes consultative sessions on tax, devolution and children and families, general election debrief, speech by Steve Webb and motions on tax credits and equal pay

Monday: agenda includes speeches by Sir Menzies Campbell, Simon Hughes and Seif Shariff Hamad, Charles Kennedy Q&A, and motions on Europe, small arms, Millennium Development Goals, dentistry and mental health

Tuesday: agenda includes speeches by Graham Watson MEP, Vincent Cable and Sarah Teather, motions on local government Standards Board, 16-19 education, post offices and Royal Mail, school discipline, and consultative session on 'Meeting the Challenge'

Wednesday: agenda includes speeches by Mark Oaten and Jim Wallace MSP, environment Q&A session, and motions on constitutional reform, road user pricing and sustainable energy

Thursday: agenda includes motions on anti-social behaviour and civil liberties, and leader's speech from Charles Kennedy