Plan Text Conference Extra Autumn Conference Brighton 15-18 September 2018 This plain text version of Conference Extra contains the text of the published Conference Extra. Page numbers refer to the printed Conference Extra, motion line numbers have been omitted, some elements may appear in a different place in the document and graphics and complex page layouts have been omitted. Updates to the Agenda and Directory, information from the Federal Conference Committee, amendments, emergency motions and questions to reports. Please read in conjunction with the Agenda and Directory. Please keep hold of your copy of Conference Extra throughout conference, and make sure you pick up a copy of Conference Daily each day when you enter the Brighton Centre - it will be vital to your understanding of the day's business. We are trialling electronic submission of speaker's cards in debates F4, F15, F24, F33A and F33B. To submit a card online, go to https://www.libdems.org.uk/speakers-card. Electronic submissions are open now with a deadline of one hour before the start of the debate. Cards can also be submitted in person as usual before and during the debate. Contents Directory Extra: Exhibition update 6 Fringe update 9 Agenda Extra: Saturday 15 September 11 Sunday 16 September 14 Monday 17 September 19 Tuesday 18 September 23 Conference Extra and other conference publications, in PDF and plain text formats, are available online atwww.libdems.org.uk/conference_papers or ask at the Information Desk in the Brighton Centre. Published by the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrats, 8-10 George Street, London, SW1P 3AE. Design and layout by Mike Cooper, mike@mikecoopermcc.co.uk. Liberal Democrats DEMAND BETTER The Federal Board Baroness Sal Brinton, Chair, Party President; Neil Fawcett, Vice Chair; Dinesh Dhamija, Vice Chair; Joyce Onstad, Vice Chair; Vince Cable MP, Party Leader; Liz Leffman, Chair of the English Party; Sheila Ritchie, Scottish Party Convenor; Cadan ap Tomos, Chair of the Welsh NEC; Christine Jardine MP, MP Rep; Lord Strasburger, Peer Rep; Catherine Bearder MEP, MEP Rep; Chris White, Principal Local Authority Councillor; Simon McGrath, English Party Rep; Geoff Payne, FCC Chair; Jeremy Hargreaves, FPC Vice-Chair; Robert Woodthorpe Browne, FIRC Chair; James Gurling, FCEC Chair; Tony Harris, FFRC Chair; Miranda Roberts, FPDC Chair; Helena Cole, FASC Chair; Finn Conway, Young Liberals Chair; Elaine Bagshaw; Alex Hegenbarth; Nassar Kessell; Caron Lindsay; Gordon Lishman; Victoria Marsom; Mark Pack; Pauline Pearce; Candy Piercy; Alice Thomas; Gerald Vernon-Jackson. Non-Voting: Terry Stacy, LGA Rep; Alistair Carmichael MP, Chief Whip (Commons); Mike German, Federal Treasurer; Nick Harvey, Federal Chief Executive; Will Dyer, Staff Rep. Federal Board helpdesk Members of the Federal Board will be available at the Federal Board helpdesk near the Infirmation Desk on the ground floor of the Brighton Centre at the following times: Saturday 15 Sept. 15.00-16.00 Sunday 16 Sept. 10.30-12.30 and 14.00-16.00 Monday 17 Sept. 10.30-12.30 and 14.00-16.00 Tuesday 18 Sept. 10.30-12.30 The Federal Conference Committee Geoff Payne, Chair; Zoe O'Connell, Vice Chair; Nicholas Da Costa, Vice Chair; Baroness Sal Brinton; Sally Burnell; Victor Chamberlain; Jon Ball; James Gurling; Cara Jenkinson; Susan Juned; Jenni Lang; Liz Lynne; Chris Maines; Tahir Maher; Joe Otten; Mary Reid; Jennie Rigg; Paul Tilsley; Heidi Worth; Mike Ross, Chief Steward, co-opted. Non-Voting: Nick Harvey, Federal Chief Executive. FCC helpdesk Members of the FCC will be available at the Information Desk at the following times: Saturday 15 Sept 13.00-15.00 Sunday 16 Sept 10.30-12.30 Monday 17 Sept 10.30-12.30 Tuesday 18 Sept 10.30-12.30 The Federal Policy Committee Vince Cable MP, Chair; Duncan Brack, Vice Chair; Jeremy Hargreaves, Vice Chair; Sarah Ludford, Vice Chair; Belinda Brooks-Gordon; Catherine Bearder MEP; Baroness Sal Brinton; Sally Burnell; Christine Cheng; Richard Cole; Tony Greaves; Antony Hook; Kamran Hussein; Elizabeth Jewkes; Judith Jolly; Susan Juned; Heather Kidd; Alisdair McGregor; Jonny Oates; Peter Price; Catherine Royce; Paul Tilsley; David Weston; Chris White; Jim Williams. Non-Voting: Richard Kemp, LGA Rep; Geoff Payne, FCC Chair; Tara Copeland, YL Observer; Roderick Lynch, LDCRE Observer. Q&A sessions There will be a series of Q&A sessions during conference where members can ask questions of our spokespeople - a fantastic opportunity to find out what our Parliamentarians are up to. Saturday 15 September 15.00-16.00: Education With Layla Moran & Mike Storey. Brighton Centre, Meeting Room 1C Sunday 16 September 11.30-12.30: Brexit With Tom Brake, Dick Newby & Sarah Ludford. Brighton Centre, Meeting Room 1C 14.30-15.30: Environment With Tim Farron, Jenny Randerson & Cathy Bakewell. Brighton Centre, Meeting Room 1C 16.30-17.30: Work and Pensions With Stephen Lloyd & Celia Thomas. Brighton Centre, Meeting Room 1C Monday 17 September 14.30-15.30: Housing With Wera Hobhouse, Kath Pinnock & John Shipley. Brighton Centre, Meeting Room 1A 16.30-17.30: Women and Equalities With Christine Jardine & Lorely Burt. Brighton Centre, Meeting Room 1A Conference Rally No conference experience is complete without joining Lib Dems from across the country at the Conference Rally! The rally will feature the talents of the Citizens of the World Choir, a group of humanitarian and musical professionals. There will also be a host of speakers, from Lewisham East by-election candidate Lucy Salek to Vince Cable MP. Expect also a number of special guests across an evening of fun and entertainment. Look forward to seeing you there alongside our host, Christine Jardine MP. Where? Brighton Centre, Auditorium When? Saturday early evening 18.15-19.30 Exhibition update Amendments and additions to the exhibition plan and listings in the Conference Directory. Exhibitors listed by stand number 1 Pimlico Plumbers 3 Her Majesty's Government of Gibraltar 4 Prospect Magazine 5 LDCRE 8 Tell MAMA 9 Social Liberal Forum 10 Liberal Democrats for Seekers of Sanctuary 11 WASPI 12 Your Liberal Britain 13 National Education Union 14 SKS Business Services - Chartered Accountants 15 D-Stress & Go (UK) Ltd 16 Visit York 17 Business Events Bournemouth 18 Catherine Bearder MEP 20 Humanist & Secularist Liberal Democrats 21 Association of Liberal Democrat Engineers and Scientists 22 Migrants' Rights Network 24 Liberal Democrat Friends of Palestine 25 Liberal Democrats in Business 26 Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform 27 Young Liberals 28 Liberal Democrat Disability Association 29 Liberal Reform 30 Liberal Democrat Christian Forum 31 English Liberal Democrats 32 Rights-Liberties-Justice (LDLA) 33 Guide Dogs BZ1 British Airways i360 BZ2 Brighton & Hove City Mission BZ8 VisitBrighton BZ9&10 Waterstones Brighton CZ1 Prater Raines Ltd CZ2 LGBT+ Liberal Democrats CZ3 Liberal Democrat Education Association CZ4 Park Communications CZ7 Ask an Expert CZ9 Liberal Democrat Image CZ10 RISO UK Ltd / Midshire Business Systems H1 Association of LD Trade Unionists H3 Liberal Democrat Women H4 Legacy Fund H5 Energy4 H6 Election Workshop H7 ALDC - Liberal Democrat Campaigners and Councillors H8 LGA Liberal Democrats H10 Green Liberal Democrats H11 Print & Digital Associates Ltd - "The Tabloid Newspaper Specialists" H14 E.A.R.S. Campaign Software H15 Liberal Democrat History Group H16 South East Region Liberal Democrats H17 Parliamentary Candidates Associaton H18 ALTER H21 National Liberal Club and LIBG H22 Liberator Magazine Directory of exhibitors The following exhibitors are additional to those listed in the Conference Directory. Brighton and Hove City Mission (BHCM) BHCM run Brighton's busiest food bank who respond to those in crisis to alleviate the impact of poverty by providing people with food and directing them to other agencies for more help. www.bhcm.org.uk Stand BZ2 British Airways i360 Take to the skies to see Brighton and the beautiful south coast as you have never seen them before. Glide up gently to 450ft in our futuristic glass viewing pod, which was conceived and designed by Marks Barfield Architects, creators of the London Eye. www.britishairwaysi360.com Stand BZ1 D-Stress & Go (UK) Ltd Relaxation area with seated acupressure massage specifically designed for exhibitions and the workplace. www.dstress.co.uk Stand 15 Energy4 Due to Energy4's utility higher buying power and lower overheads, we can save your organisation money. Whether you own a commercial premises or work from home. www.energy4.co.uk Stand H5 Guide Dogs Have you ever imagined what life without sight is like? Visit our sensory experience, don a blindfold, and allow Natalie the guide dog to help you safely round our obstacles. www.guidedogs.org.uk/campaigns Stand 33 Liberal Reform Liberal Reform exists within the Liberal Democrats to bring together members and campaigners committed to "four-cornered freedom" - personal, political, social and economic. www.liberalreform.org.uk Stand 28 Migrants' Rights Network Migrants' Rights Network (MRN) is a policy and advocacy organisation working with migrants to allow their voice be heard and with stakeholders to move towards a progressive immigration policy. Stand 22 Parliamentary Candidates Association The PCA provides support to Party members wishing to become MPs. It provides guidance and mentoring at every stage from approval and selection through to election campaigning membership enquiries : Rabi@rabimatins.org.uk www.libdempca.org.uk Stand H17 Tell MAMA Tell MAMA is the UK's leading project countering anti-Muslim hate. It is a measuring and reporting service, providing multi-level assistance to victims and local authorities. Since its inception Tell MAMA has assisted over 15,000 people. www.tellmamauk.org Stand 8 Women Against State Pension Inequality Organisation campaigning against Inequality in pension provision for women born in the 1950s. www.waspi.co.uk Stand 11 Waterstones Brighton A vibrant five-floor city bookshop situated opposite the iconic clock-tower, Waterstones Brighton is a haven of coffee, cake and wonderful books. www.waterstones.com/bookshops/brighton-clock-tower Stand BZ9&10 Fringe update Amendments and additions to the listings in the fringe guide in the Conference Directory. Saturday morning 08.00-09.00 Addition to the listings in the Directory: Liberal Democrat Disability Association (LDDA) AGM The Annual General Meeting of LDDA members, associate members and supporters. Hilton, Surrey 1 Saturday late evening 20.15-21.30 Addition to the listings in the Directory: English Party Local Party Chair's Reception Join the English Party Chair, Liz Leffman, for drinks and nibbles. If you would like to attend, please contact English.party@libdems.org.uk Hilton, Gloucester Sunday morning 08.00-09.00 Event moved to Monday morning: Liberal Democrat Christian Forum Annual Conference Prayer Breakfast Hilton, Clarence Sunday early evening 18.15-19.15 Event moved to Monday early evening: LDLA and the law society Impact of Brexit on the legal profession and Justice System Hilton, Lancaster LGBT+ Lib Dems AGM LGBT+ Lib Dem members are invited to join us for our AGM, where we'll update you on the year's events and campaigns, and select a new exec for next year. Hilton, Lancaster Addition to the listings in the Directory: The Albert Kennedy Trust Preventing Lifetimes of homelessness: working towards a solution for ending youth homelessness LGBT youth homelessness charity, The Albert Kennedy Trust, who support young people who face the risk of homelessness, will use this session to discuss with politicians and homelessness specialists issues to inform a forward direction to prevent youth homelessness. Hilton, Surrey 2 Sunday mid evening 19.45-21.00 Addition to the listings in the Directory: Liberal Reform Winning in London - Some exclusive research on how to attract soft Labour and Soft Tories Join Aria Babu, Dinesh Dhamija and a polling expert to hear some specially Commissioned Focus Group and Polling data on what voters in London are thinking - and what might make them switch to the Lib Dems. Hilton, Edinburgh Monday morning 08.00-09.00 Change of time from Sunday morning: Liberal Democrat Christian Forum Annual Conference Prayer Breakfast We are delighted to welcome our leader Sir Vince Cable, who will be speaking at our LDCF Prayer Breakfast. Please join us for breakfast, encouragement and fellowship, we look forward to meeting you there. Hilton, Clarence Monday morning 11.30-12.30 Addition to the listings in the Directory: West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Shaping Drug Policy Today Despite the good work being done by many, the 'war on drugs' is failing. This seminar looks at work being undertaken by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson, and the innovative approach he's taking in supporting those with addiction. Hilton, Gloucester Note: this event starts at 11.15 Monday early evening 18.15-19.15 Change of time from Sunday early evening: LDLA and the law society Impact of Brexit on the legal profession and Justice System Chair: James Sandbach, Right-Liberties-Justice; Baroness Ludford (invited); Simon Davis, Vice President of the Law Society. Hilton, Lancaster Update to listing in Directory - additional speaker: NFU and FDF What should the UK's future food policy look like? Joint NFU and FDF Fringe Event Speakers: Tim Farron MP, Liberal Democrat Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Spokesperson, Stuart Roberts, NFU Vice President, Ian Wright CBE, FDF Chief Executive, Dr Elise Wach, Institute of Development Studies. Chair: Mike Stones, Group Editor of New Food. Hilton, Sandringham Addition to the listings in the Directory: Compliance and FFRC Q&A with the Chair of the Federal Finance and Resources Committee A chance to meet the new chair of the Federal Finance and Resources Committee, Tony Harris. Swap best practice with treasurers from all levels of the party. Hilton, Surrey 1 Monday mid evening 19.45-21.00 Addition to the listings in the Directory: One Cyprus Conference to promote efforts for the unification of Cyprus as one people Invaded in 1974, Cyprus is still divided, with troops from Turkey under Erdogan's orders. His followers assaulted the Turkish Cypriot newspaper offices of Sener Levent, who advocates democracy in Turkey and Cyprus reunited. Kathy Alexander and others speak on this. Hilton, Surrey 1 Saturday 15 September F2 Report of the Federal Conference Committee Q1. Submitted by: Adam Bernard Is it considered remarkable for FCC to select a motion for debate without having had sight of the policy paper which that motion endorses? Q2. Submitted by: Theo Butt Philip Why has the FCC limited questions to reports to just 25 words? What proportion of questions submitted to previous conferences were within this arbitrary and F3 Report of the Federal Policy Committee Q1. Submitted by: Mark Hall Will you consider doing more to campaign for the rights of Leaseholders? Currently there are many people paying excessive charges and receiving a poor service from freeholders. This is the kind of issue missed by the two main parties. Q2. Submitted by: Mark Hall Should the Lib Dems policy on Criminal Justice differentiate more between violent and non-violent crime for example whilst calling f or shorter or non-custodial sentences for non-violent crimes we could call for significantly longer sentences for the most violent offences which would bring the policy more into line with wider public opinion? Q3. Submitted by: Clive Lever Domestic abuse is a terrible crime that inflicts horrendous damage on the lives of women and they need far more support than they get. It is often forgotten that the crime seriously damages the lives of male victims, and support available to them falls even further short of the need. How does the party propose to ensure that in future, both female and male victims and their children can get access to an appropriate level of support when they need it? Q4. Submitted by: Adam Bernard Is it considered remarkable for a policy paper not to be supplied to FCC in time for consideration with the motion which endorses it? Q5. Submitted by: Stewart Reddaway Should the Working Group on Climate Change take into account carbon embedded in imports and exports? F6 Establishing Real Freedom of Choice The Federal Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting amendment to the motion: In 1 (line 48) after 'safe abortion' insert '; any changes to the legislation would incorporate the existing 24 week term limit'. Consultative sessions Climate Change and the Low-Carbon Economy Policy Working Group Chair: Duncan Brack. Rapporteur: Christian Moon. Hilton, Buckingham Room. Race Equality Policy Working Group Chair: Merlene Emerson. Rapporteur: Jonathan Everett. Hilton, Clarence Room. Vince Cable: Opening up the party Chair: Liz Barker. Rapporteur: To be announced. Hilton, Balmoral Room. The FPDC Supporters' Scheme consultative session has been rescheduled to 18.15-19.15, Sunday 16 September. F8 Power for People and Communities Amendment One 14 members Mover: Michael Kilpatrick Summation: Andrew Haldane Delete 1. d) and 1. e) (lines 42-47). After 3. d) (line 82) add: Conference, however, rejects the specific proposals in the paper on a devolved tier within England. Conference instead calls for the Federal Party to consult and engage with the English Regional Parties to establish a process by which a regional tier of government across England may be designed and implemented, on the basis that it should: I. Be a fully inclusive process combining top-down oversight and locally-led design so as to provide all parts of England with viable devolved government. II. Allow a geographic makeup reflecting local opinion and identity, economic units and travel-to-work areas. III. Prevent first-come-first-served or self-selective devolution and allow no power of veto by individual local authorities. IV. Devolve substantial powers from Westminster uniformly as much as practicable to avoid a multitude of 'West Lothian Questions'. V. Operate with pluralistic, elected assemblies. In the long run we will a develop a model for a written constitution for the UK entrenching the place of all devolved governments so that they cannot simply be swept away at the whim of Central Government. Amendment Two South Gloucestershire Mover: Claire Young Summation: Louise Harris After 2. f) (line 70) insert: g) Reforming the Combined Authorities so that they are more representative of their communities, by ensuring that they do not simply consist of council mayors and leaders alongside the elected Mayor, but instead have a membership where each party in the relevant area is represented in proportion to its number of representatives on the relevant councils. F11 Reforming our Party's Disciplinary Processes Amendment One 13 members Mover: April Preston Summation: Rebecca Plenderleith After 11. (line 127) add: 12. Routes should be set up to adopt a system so that complainants can log reports anonymously to the party, with the reports being accessible to the complainant, the Standards Officer, or such person who may replace the Standards Officer in any future version of the Disciplinary procedure. The Standards Officer must identify multiple reports about the same person or persons, and should draw them to the attention of the Lead Adjudicator. The Lead Adjudicator should then determine whether or not to advise complainants, so that they can consider whether or not to waive their anonymity thus allowing further investigation. Amendment Two Young Liberals Mover: Tara Copeland Summation: Aria Dinakara Babu In 10. (line 120) after 'respondents' insert ', including referrals to counselling services where appropriate,'. F12 Reforming our Party's Disciplinary Processes The Federal Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion: In line 39, delete 'paragraph' and insert 'sentence'. In line 43 after '22.' insert: 'Any person whose membership is refused shall have a right of appeal, which must be made in writing within 14 days of the applicant being advised of the refusal to admit, and which shall be dealt with in accordance with the guidance published under Article 22'. In line 53 after '22.' insert: 'Any person whose membership is refused shall have a right of appeal, which must be made in writing within 14 days of the applicant being advised of the refusal to admit, and which shall be dealt with in accordance with the guidance published under Article 22'. Sunday 16 September F13 Report of the Campaign for Gender Balance Q1. Submitted by: Theo Butt Philip What, if any, targets are the CGB currently working to in terms of numbers/proportion of women candidates approved/selected? Q2. Submitted by: Theo Butt Philip Other than waiting until after the next General Election and counting the number/proportion of female MPs, how is the CGB measuring its own success? F15 Ending Discrimination in Mental Health Provision The Federal Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion: After line 38 insert: Conference welcomes the establishment of the Wessely Review into the Mental Health Act and the opportunity it provides to reform mental health law. In lines 39-40, delete 'the Mental Health Act' and insert 'mental health law'. Amendment One Kingston Borough Mover: Abbie Llewelyn Summation: To be announced Delete b) (lines 29-31) and insert: b) A person should not be forced to receive treatment unless they lack the capacity to make that decision, or their refusal to receive treatment poses a serious risk of harm to themselves or to others. In d) (line 33), after 'capacity' insert 'or a medical assessment of risk,'. Delete 1. and 2. (lines 41-49) and insert: 1. The 'mental disorder' test for involuntary detention and treatment is replaced with a test which combines an assessment of capacity and of whether the individual concerned poses a serious risk of harm to themselves or others, so that people cannot be involuntarily detained without good, medical reason. F16 A Fair Deal for Everyone: Prosperity and Dignity in Migration The Federal Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion: In line 2, after 'world' delete ',' and insert '-'. In i) (line 44) after 'target' insert ',' and after 'policy' insert 'and using civil society as border guards'. In 2. a) (line 75) after 'rules and' insert ', for a time-limited period of not more than two years and subject to individual assessment,' In 5. c) (lines 114-116) after 'fairness and justice,' insert 'doing away with the culture of disbelief,' and after 'reunification applications' insert 'and those who fled because of their religious or non-religious beliefs, or who are at risk if returned because they have since converted to another faith or belief'. In 6. a) (line 118) delete 'the' and insert 'accountable'. Amendment one Stockton, Wigan and Leigh & Makerfield Mover: Suzanne Fletcher Summation: Dr Ruvi Zielgler After D. (line 34) insert: E. Compromising, through their harsh and ineffective management of the asylum system, the UK's moral and legal obligation to help those seeking sanctuary from persecution and conflict. Delete iv) (lines 53-56) and insert: iv) A new policy for irregular migrants of "detention as last resort", using community alternatives to detention such as more case-work in the community, thus allowing the closure of eight of the UK's ten immigration detention centres; using the estimated œ100m per year saved to invest in an accountable Border Force and to reduce fees for visa and nationality applications to the cost of administration. In 1. c) (line 71) after 'Support' insert 'the Schools for Sanctuary programme and'. Before 5. a) (line 106) insert: a) Retain, alongside refugee status, humanitarian protection status, and reiterate our commitment to the principle of non-refoulement as applied in international and European human rights law. After 5. c) (line 116) insert: d) Ensure an effective review and arbitration process to allow any decision apparently taken outside the rules to be rectified before reaching appeal. e) Improve the appeals process by transferring the cost from the Ministry of Justice to the new dedicated unit for asylum applications, thereby incentivising getting it 'right first time'. f) Endorse The Refugees (Family Reunion) Bill and support restoring the arrangements for legal aid for seekers of sanctuary that existed before The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders (LASPO) Act 2012. g) Offer safe and legal routes to the UK for at least 10,000 refugees each year by expanding the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, both to help a greater number of people from that region and to cover other conflict zones such as Myanmar. h) Provide an effective mechanism to implement in full Section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016 that commits the UK to welcoming unaccompanied refugee children, this scheme to be expanded to welcome 10,000 such children over a period of 10 years. Delete 6. b) (lines 122-124) and insert: b) Ensure vulnerable people, such as pregnant women and those who have mental health problems or been subject to torture, are not detained, that no one is detained more than 72 hours without judicial oversight, and that no one is detained longer than 28 days in any circumstances. After 6. c) (line 126) insert: d) Ensure that victims of trafficking are supported so that they can give evidence against their traffickers and never be returned against their will to their country of origin where their traffickers would have access to them all over again. Amendment Two 27 members Mover: Richard Flowers Summation: Holly Matthies In II. (lines 16-19) delete 'partly by ... about immigration' and insert 'by introducing better, fairer policies and rebuilding people's trust in the system, and that this requires us to propose workable solutions to the very real social, infrastructure, and financial problems caused by economic change, government indifference, and underfunding, which are currently being widely blamed on immigration and on immigrants'. Amendment Three 15 members Mover: James Baillie Summation: April Preston Delete 2. a) (lines 74-76) and insert: a) For spouse and legal partner settlements, end the crude and arbitrary practice of the state splitting up families on grounds of income and permit families to stay together without any form of means testing or prohibition on seeking support from the state. Amendment Four Hammersmith & Fulham Mover: Irina Von Wiese Summation: Jessie Venegas After 7. c) (line 135) add: 8. To enable all eligible UK residents to acquire British citizenship and participate fully in our democratic system, including the right to vote: a) Request the Home Office to conduct and publish an independent audit of the total administrative cost of naturalisation of a foreign-born citizen. b) Significantly reduce and align the fees for naturalisation with the cost of processing applications. Amendment Five LBGT+ Liberal Democrats Mover: Iain Donaldson Summation: Jack Gilbert After line 8 insert: Conference notes with concern: the number of LGBT+ asylum claims failing at first stage due in part to less than adequate legal advice in the preparation of the initial claims; the large number of legal practices advertising immigration specialism with no expertise in relation to sexual orientation or gender identity grounds. After D. (line 34) insert: E. Failing to offer asylum to people fleeing countries where their sexual orientation or gender identification means that they risk domestic abuse, honour-based violence, imprisonment, torture or execution, and worse still removing people at risk of persecution to such countries. F. The system is riddled with humiliating, unfairly intrusive elements that Conservative Ministers continue to defend despite the evidence being they are not necessary; for LGBT+ applicants, there is a culture of disbelief about their sexuality, requiring applicants to make public social media postings of a personal sexual nature, screen capture dating apps, and produce submissions by sexual partners; there is also evidence that highly traumatised individuals, including survivors of child sexual abuse, have been refused due to suppressed emotional responses, with no reference to any of the extensive knowledge base in the area. After v) (line 61) insert: vi) The government to offer asylum to people fleeing countries where their sexual orientation or gender identification means that they risk family-based hate-related domestic abuse, honour-based violence, imprisonment, torture or execution, and stop removing people at risk of any of these to such countries. vii) Eradication of the presumption of disbelief about the sexuality or gender identity of LGBT+ applicants, specifically ending the practice in which officials appear to habitually state that an applicant is not LGBT+ merely to justify an initial refusal, or refuse an LGBT+ applicant on the basis that they could be discreet. After 5. c) (line 116) insert: d) The extension of the definition of a refugee in Article 1 of the Geneva Convention to include persecution or oppression on the grounds of "sex, sexuality or gender", and in the meantime to extend the Liberal Democrats definition of refugee in this way for all our policies. F20 Britain at the Heart of a Changing World The Federal Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion: In 1. d) (line 35) after 'world' insert 'as well as individuals who are persecuted for their religion or belief'. In 2. c) (line 54) delete 'co-ordinate' and insert 'co-ordination'. In 6. c) (lines 123) after 'Requiring' insert 'UK-registered NGOs,'. In 3. c) (line 78) delete 'or' and insert 'and'. Amendment One 10 members Mover: Elizabeth Payne Summation: Jonathan Brown After line 16 insert: Conference reaffirms support for Liberal Democrat achievements in government, particularly legislating for 0.7% of GNI to be spent on aid, and deplores attempts by the current government to undermine this legacy by re-focusing aid away from alleviating extreme poverty and towards promoting UK trade and investment and attempts to reduce migration. Amendment Two Liberal Democrats in Europe Mover: Robert Harrison Summation: Dave Chadwick In line 12 after 'people' insert 'individual liberties'. Amendment Three 32 members Mover: Matt McLaren Summation: Ruby Chow After 4. b) (line 87) insert: c) Continuing to promote free trade across the world, in particular between developed and developing nations, recognising the benefits this brings to all nations involved. F21 Report of the Federal Appeals Panel Q1. Submitted by: Simon Pike Can you explain why your ruling on section 1.7 of the English Party constitution has not been reflected in the published version of that constitution on the Lib Dem website? F22 Report of the Federal Board Q1. Submitted by: Jennie Rigg LGBT+LDs have been asking FB for enrolling body status for several years. Can you outline a method/timescale by which we could do this? Q2. Submitted by: Theo Butt Philip Does the FB believe it's meeting the requirement placed upon it by conference to ensure the CGB is adequately funded to carry out its functions? Q3. Submitted by: Theo Butt Philip Does the FB believe that the federal, state, regional and local parties are implementing the spirit of the recommendations of the Electing Diverse MPs Motion? FPDC Supporters' Scheme consultative session 18.15-19.15, Syndicate 2, Brighton Centre. Chair: Miranda Roberts. This consultative session has been rescheduled from Saturday 15 September. Monday 17 September F23 An Affordable, Secure Home for All The Federal Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion: After B. (line 6) insert: C. The commitment of the Liberal Democrats to slow climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. After VIII. (line 39) insert: IX. Many people are impoverished by the cost of heating damp or poorly insulated homes, with inefficient fossil fuel and costly heating systems. After j) (line 72) insert: k. Taking action to improve domestic heating systems and the thermal properties of housing would have the effect of reducing both poverty and greenhouse gas emissions. l. The problems of fuel poverty and high per capita greenhouse gas emissions tend to be greater in rural areas where mains gas is not available and where heating tends to be by more expensive and more polluting oil fired systems, or in smaller homes by expensive electrical resistive heating. After 9. (line 103) add: 10. Higher and better enforced thermal standards for new, extended or refurbished housing, including the requirement for renewable energy based heating or generating equipment for properties not connected to the gas grid, and a requirement that social and private rental houses have minimum energy rating of C, to be enforced on re-let or by 2024 if no change of tenant. Amendment One 10 members Mover: Laura Coyle Summation: Stewart Edge After 9. (line 103) add: 10. Amend the Housing Act 1988 so as to increase the notice that landlords must give tenants (after the initial minimum fixed term of 6 months) from 2 months to at least 6 months. Amendment Two St Ives Mover: Andrew George Summation: Juliet Line After 6. (line 90) insert: 7. The introduction of a new use class in the Planning "Use Classes Order" for "Non-Permanent Occupancy", to enable local communities to determine how many/what proportion of homes may be second/holiday homes and to provide a stronger statutory definition on which to apply appropriate tax, entitlement, voter registration and other policy to ensure a fair and balanced management of the available local housing resource. F24 Europe motion: Stopping Brexit 14 members Mover: Rt Hon Tom Brake MP (Spokesperson on exiting the European Union and Internaitonal Trade) Summation: Wera Hobhouse MP (Spokesperson on Communities and Local Government) Conference notes that: A. The Conservative Government are making a mess of Brexit and Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party are helping them to deliver this destructive Brexit. B. Liberal Democrats campaigned to remain in the EU during the 2016 referendum and have since campaigned for the people to have the final say on the Brexit deal, including the option to remain in the EU. C. The Treasury have stated that a no-deal Brexit could require the UK to borrow œ80 billion more by 2033, the Conservative Government have begun releasing the 84 no-deal technical notes, and the UK health sector are stockpiling medicines in case of a no-deal. D. The Chequers plan is unworkable, rejected by both the EU and Conservative European Research Group MPs. E. A conclusive agreement has not yet been reached on many of the issues arising from the Brexit referendum, including Government red lines, and both sides have stated that "nothing is agreed until everything is agreed". F. Whilst the principle of a Northern Ireland backstop has been agreed, the UK's plan to temporarily avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland has not been agreed and there is still no agreement on a long-term solution. G. During the transition period, which is due to end in 2020, the UK will remain in the Single Market and Customs Union. H. The draft Withdrawal Agreement stipulated that EU citizens will have to apply for pre-settled or settled status and if they fail to do so will be at risk of deportation; Irish citizens do not have to apply but can if they choose to. I. EU citizens, who are not Irish or Commonwealth citizens, living in the UK are excluded from voting in UK General Elections or referendums and voting rights have been left outside the scope of Brexit negotiations by the EU Commission. J. The 2016 EU referendum gave no clear destination for Brexit, as the terms of the deal were not yet known. Conference believes that: i) There is no deal that could be negotiated through the Article 50 process that could be more beneficial than continued membership of the EU, leaving the EU would therefore be damaging to the UK's fundamental national interests. ii) Given the assertion that "nothing is agreed until everything is agreed", the risk of a no-deal remains, which would mean the UK crashes out of the EU without any final Withdrawal Agreement in place. iii) The recent shifts in global affairs, including the USA withdrawing from the UNHRC, re-emphasise the vital importance of UK membership of the EU and the values upon which the EU was formed. iv) The 2016 referendum and subsequent General Election had a severe impact on EU citizens living in the UK, leaving them in a place of uncertainty; referendums and elections will also disproportionately impact these citizens for decades to come. Conference condemns the Conservative Government's ideological, disastrous approach to Brexit negotiations. Conference urges the Labour Party to work in the national interest and reflect the views of its members by campaigning for the people to have the final say on the Brexit deal and a chance to exit from Brexit, challenging Jeremy Corbyn's position as Leader if he refuses to do so too. Conference further condemns the exclusion of EU citizens' voices from political decisions that have had an unprecedented impact upon their lives. Conference reaffirms the Liberal Democrat commitment to: a) Fight for an "exit from Brexit" referendum to be held once the outcome of the UK-EU negotiations is known, for the public to choose between "the deal" or Britain remaining a full member of the EU. b) Campaign for Britain to remain a full and active member of the EU. c) Enable all UK citizens living abroad to vote for MPs in separate overseas constituencies, and to participate in UK referendums. d) Introduce votes at 16 for all elections and referendums across the UK. Conference calls for: 1. The Government to release full impact assessments of all options, prior to any meaningful parliamentary vote, thereby demonstrating that there is no Brexit deal on offer that will deliver the promises of the Leave campaign. 2. The Government to seek to extend Article 50 to avoid a catastrophic no-deal scenario. 3. The right to full participation in civic life, including the ability to stand for office or vote in UK referendums and General Elections, to be extended to all EU citizens not already entitled to vote as Irish or Commonwealth citizens, who have lived in the UK for five years or longer. 4. The UK Government to guarantee unilaterally in law, including in a no-deal scenario, the rights of all EU citizens living in the UK, ringfencing the Withdrawal Agreements' Chapter on citizens' rights. Applicability: Federal. The deadline for amendments to this motion is 13.00, Thursday 13 September; see page 6 of the Conference Agenda. Amendments selected for debate will be printed in Saturday's and Monday's Conference Daily. The deadline for requests for separate votes is 09.00 Sunday 16 September; see page 3 of the Conference Agenda. F28 Good Jobs, Better Businesses, Stronger Communities: Proposals for a New Economy that Really Works for Everyone Amendment One 17 members Mover: James Baillie Summation: George Potter After iv) (line 42) insert: v) Stakeholdership, including that of workers, customers, and society at large, being a primary concern in the constitution and profit allocation of businesses within a social market economy; and a recognition that current models of business that treat capital-holding shareholders as the only people with a stake in a business are fundamentally outdated and inadequate for the 21st century. After 2. g) (line 95) insert: h) Building routes to secure funding for and thus incentivise starting new charitable and cooperative enterprises, in particular supporting the provision of low interest startup loans for such businesses. Amendment Two Canterbury & Coastal Mover: Michael Dixey Summation: James Flanagan In 1. b) (line 57) after 'training levy,' insert 'a plan to develop the workforce for high tech manufacturing industries needed to rebalance the economy,'. F29 Plastic Pollution and UN Sustainable Development goals The Federal Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting amendment to the motion: In F. iv) (line 48) delete 'this'. Amendment One 21 members Mover: Duncan Brack Summation: To be announced After G. (line 51) insert: Conference further calls on the government to initiate negotiations within the UN for a legally binding international treaty on plastics, including phased reductions in the production, consumption and trade of virgin feedstock, thus encouraging reuse and recycling, and a financial mechanism providing aid and capacity-building assistance to developing countries. Amendment Two Winchester Mover: Emma Levell Summation: Lynda Murphy After iv) (line 9) insert: (v) Believes that Local Authorities should be key players in reducing plastic usage. In F. iii) (line 46) after 'statutory target' insert 'and provide financial incentives to such groups starting community-wide initiatives including, but not limited to, waste-free shops and cafes'. After F. iii) (line 46) insert: (iv) Introduce a nation-wide standard for the disposal and recycling of key plastics. (v) Ensure the widespread availability of free drinking water taps. Tuesday 18 September F33 Emergency Motions Only two emergency motions were accepted as in order by the Federal Conference Committee and there will therefore not be a ballot. These motions will be debated between 09.20 and 10.25 on Tuesday 18 September. F33A Teacher Shortages Cambridge and 13 members Mover: Layla Moran MP (Spokesperson for Education) Summation: Cllr Lucy Nethsingha Conference notes with concern: i) Research by the Education Policy Institute, published on 30th August, which highlights the severe teacher shortages in the 2018-19 academic year. ii) That the report highlights growing class sizes and an increase in the number of subjects being taught by teachers without a relevant degree. iii) That schools are seeing serious numbers of teachers resigning with many teachers only staying in the profession for a few years, and are having difficulty in recruiting enough teachers to fill essential posts. iv) That teachers' pay is falling behind that of other graduate professions. v) That the funding announced by the Government on 24th July for a pay-rise for teachers is insufficient, and ignores many of the recommendations of the School Teachers' Review Body. vi) That the Government have rejected calls to allow an equivalent pay-rise for staff in Colleges vii) That the school funding crisis is far from being resolved, with schools œ2bn worse off compared with two years ago, and that the Institute for Fiscal Studies recently published an analysis which showed the money per pupil fell by 8% in England and 5% in Wales between 2009/10 and 2017/18. Conference believes that: a) The teacher shortage crisis has been fuelled by a combination of pay-cuts, rising workloads and stress levels. b) Stress levels among teachers are far too high and that it is a contributing factor for many who decide to leave the profession. c) Pressure on school budgets also contributes to pressure on teachers, as headteachers worry about how they will make ends meet, and workloads increase still further due to reductions in support staff. d) The pressure on teachers and growing workloads are largely due to a damaging culture of high-stakes assessments and inspections in our schools. e) More must be done to attract teachers to the education profession from maths, science and other fields where there are particular shortages of teachers Conference calls on the Government to: 1. Allocate new money to fund the recommendations of the School Teachers' Review Body in full, using additional funding from the Treasury, rather than from already over-stretched school budgets, as full funding is the only way to ensure that a pay rise (welcome though it is) does not result in redundancies and an increase in stress and workload, thereby increasing the harm done to schools and our education system. 2. Provide colleges with additional funding so that colleges can provide a pay rise to their teaching staff which is equal to the pay rise for school teachers. 3. Invest to close the gap in school budgets, meaning that no school receives a real-terms per pupil budget cut in the next year 4. Introduce a clear and properly funded entitlement to genuinely high-quality professional development for all teachers - 25 hours per year by 2020, rising to the OECD average of 50 hours by 2025; this should include specific additional training for teachers who are required to teach subjects which they are not trained in. 5. Implement reforms to school inspections and assessments, as set out in policy paper 128 Every Child Empowered, to reduce the stress they place on both teachers and pupils. Applicability: England only. F33B Reducing Self-Harm 11 members Mover: Rt Hon Norman Lamb MP Summation: Tara Copeland Conference notes with concern: A. The Children's Society recent report that found of a survey of 11,000 children found one in six children self-harmed. It found that 22% of girls and 9% of boys said they had self-harmed in the last year. B. That nearly 110,000 children aged 14 may have self-harmed across the UK during the same 12-month period, including 76,000 girls and 33,000 boys. C. That almost half of 14-year-olds who said they had been attracted to people of the same gender or both genders said they had self-harmed (46%); four in ten of these children had shown signs of depression (38%) and three in ten had low well-being (30%). Conference believes that: i) Happiness with family relationships could be the best protection for children because it has the biggest positive influence on children's overall well-being. ii) Schools can play an important part in children's well-being. iii) Issues like appearance, gender stereotypes and sexuality should be included in schools when teaching about relationships and sex educations. iv) Early support for vulnerable children and families in the community can help prevent mental health problems from developing. Conference reaffirms the Liberal Democrat commitment to: a) Continuing the roll out of access and waiting time standards for children, young people and adults. b) A guarantee that people will not wait more than six weeks for therapy for depression or anxiety and no young person will wait more than two weeks for treatment when they experience a first episode of psychosis. c) Ensuring that all front-line public service professionals, including in schools and universities, receive better training in mental health. d) Ensuring that LGBT+ inclusive mental health services receive funding and support. e) Include in SRE teaching about sexual consent, LGBT+ relationships, and issues surrounding explicit images and content. f) That a fair proportion of all public funding for medical research should be focused on research into mental ill-health. Conference calls for: 1. Government to make it a requirement for all secondary schools and colleges to offer access to a counsellor, regularly monitor children's well-being and ensure mental health support is taken into account as part of school inspections. 2. Include when teaching about relationships and sex educations issues like appearance, gender stereotypes and sexuality. 3. Ensure counsellors and those in mental health provision are trained in LGBT+ awareness training. 4. Government to ensure all young people can access Children and Young People's Mental Health Services up to the age of 25, rather than 18 or 16. 5. Additional funding for Childline to allow it to provide a 24-hour service that can respond to all children and young people calling Childline with mental health issues. 6. Government to address the œ2bn funding shortfall facing council children's services departments by 2020. Applicability: England only, except 5 (lines 41-42) which is Federal. F35 Demand Better: Liberal Democrat Priorities for a Better Britain The Federal Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion: Delete lines 17-19 and insert: Conference believes that this represents decades of failure by both the Labour and Conservative Parties, to break down barriers, to challenge the concentrations of power in society, and to lay the foundations for a successful future. In 1. (line 36) after 'race' and insert 'or caste', and after 'religion' insert 'or belief'. In 3. (line 48) after 'deprived backgrounds' insert 'and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities'. Amendment One 23 members Mover: James Baillie Summation: Richard Flowers After 5. (line 67) insert: 6. Demands a freer society, in which surveillance and other encroachments upon civil liberties are curtailed, justice is accessible to all and focused on rehabilitation, and the state does not criminalise people for victimless actions; in which the state does not make unjust intrusions into people's lives to impose arbitrary lifestyle restrictions or ration service provision; in which people can be confident that the government, law enforcement, and corporate entities alike are fully and effectively accountable for their actions towards individuals; and in which the UK remains a signatory of the European Convention on Human Rights and fully upholds the Human Rights Act.