Fabians at Labour Party Conference 2011

Venue & Address: Liverpool Town Hall, Liverpool, L2 3SW

Event starts:

Venue & Address: Liverpool Town Hall, Liverpool, L2 3SW

Start and End times: Sunday 25th September – Wednesday 28th September 2011



Ticket price: Free

 

The Fabian Society put on the biggest public fringe programme at the Labour Party Conference 2011.

 

Our thanks to everyone who came along to our Question Time events, to our debates on the future of liberal interventionism, Labour’s relationship with the press after the News of the World phone-hacking scandal and to our Dragon’s Den format discussion on how Labour can win the next election.

 

As part of our Conference activities we also launched the [LINK] Autumn 2012 Fabian Review [/LINK], with pieces from Andrew Harrop, James Macintyre and Stewart Wood, Mary Riddell’s interview with Chuka Umunna, and new polling on the Labour leadership from Deborah Mattinson and Ben Shimshon.

 

Stephen Beer’s pamphlet ‘The Credibility Deficit: How to rebuild Labour’s economic reputation’ was featured at Economy Question Time on Monday. During Labour Conference week, you can [LINK] download a PDF of this pamphlet here. [/LINK]

Sunday
Dragon’s Den: One idea to win the next election
Sunday 25th September 13:00, Liverpool Town Hall 
After Labour’s first year in opposition focusing on internal party reform and its policy review process, we will be looking ahead to the next general election and assessing which issues will be key to win the electorate’s favour once again.
Confirmed Dragons:
Luke Akehurst, Labour NEC Member
Hazel Blears MP, MP for Salford and Eccles
Peace with Justice? The UK’s legacy in Afghanistan
Sunday 25th September 2011 17.45 – 19.15, ACC-BT-Convention Centre, Concourse fringe room 9 (secure zone)
The debate will reflect on women’s status in Afghan society ten years on from theUK’s military involvement inAfghanistan, and what will happen to women’s rights as the international community turns its focus to the transition process.
Confirmed speakers:
Sabrina Saqig, Former member of the Afghan parliament
Anas Sarwar MP, MP for Glasglow Central, International Development Committee
Jim Murphy MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
CHAIR - Anushka Asthana, Journalist
In partnership with:
   
Is there such a thing as society? New approaches to community
Sunday 25th September 18:00, Liverpool Town Hall
Is the ‘Big Society’ a product of a genuine progression in Conservative ideology or does it represent an attempt to legitimise the retracting of the state from a range of service provision? How does Labour construct a response which allows it to both narrate the role of the state in a post-New Labour agenda as well as reconnecting with the politics of community and localised services?
Confirmed speakers:
Andy Burnham MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Education
Philip Blond, Director, Respublica
Lord Storey, Liberal Democrat Peer
CHAIR - Tom Hampson, Fabian Society
In partnership with:

 
Fabian Question Time: The challenge for Labour
Sunday 25th September 20:00, Liverpool Town Hall
The Fabian Question Time is an established fixture on the opening weekend of Conference, attracting some of the biggest political personalities, and considerable media interest, to debate the key electoral issues. The ‘Question Time’ format enables us to respond to the most topical issues to be discussed at the conference
Confirmed speakers:
Yvette Cooper MP, Shadow Home Secretary
Lord Maurice Glasman, Academic and leading “Blue Labour” thinker
Phil Collins, Former chief speechwriter to Tony Blair
Andrew Harrop, General Secretary, Fabian Society
CHAIR - Toby Helm, Political Editor, The Observer
In partnership with:

 
Young Fabian Reception
Sunday 25th September 2011, 7pm, Portica Cantina & Bar, Albert Dock (Britannia Pavilion)
DRINKS PROVIDED, ALL WELCOME
Speakers: Sadiq Khan MP, Andy Burnham MP, Lisa Nandy MP, Luciana Berger MP, Stephen Twigg MP, Kate Green MP, Adrian Prandle (Young Fabians), James Anthony (Unison)

Monday
Two tribes: common causes, common agendas
Monday 26th September 13:00, Liverpool Town Hall
The creation of the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government in May 2010 also had a profound impact on relationships between the Labour and Lib Dem parties. The two tribes of the centre left have probably never been further apart. But should both now believe it could be in their interest to reengage and if so to what purpose? This fringe meeting will bring together leading voices from both parties and ask them what if anything we should be talking together about.
Confirmed speakers:
Emily Thornberry MP, Shadow Health Minister 
John Leech MP, MP for Manchester Withington
Ben Bradshaw MP, MP for Exeter
CHAIR - Andrew Harrop, General Secretary, Fabian Society
In partnership with:

 
Economic Question Time
Monday 26th September 18:00, Liverpool Town Hall
Strategies for economic recovery and growth are at the heart of the current political discourse. The Fabian Economic Question Time has generated significant audiences and media coverage in recent years and has now established itself as a highlight for delegates with an interest in current political issues.
Confirmed speakers:
John Denham MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Industry & Skills
Nicola Smith, Head of Economic & Social Affairs Dept, TUC
John Cridland, Director-General, CBI
Michael Izza, Chief Executive, ICAEW
In partnership with:

 
Should Women Welcome or Reject Blue Labour? 
Monday 26th September 2011, 7pm – 8pm (6.45 for a 7pm start), West Reception Hall, Liverpool Town Hall
Come and join us for this exciting fringe which will debate the impact of Blue Labour on Women’s Progress. The event is free and open to all.
Confirmed speakers:
Helen Goodman MP, MP for Bishop Auckland
Marc Stears, IPPR/Oxford University
Ivana Bartoletti, Editor, Fabiana
CHAIR - Seema Malhotra, Director, Fabian Women’s Network

 
From Iraq to Libya – what should we think of intervention now?
Monday 26th September 20:00, Liverpool Town Hall
From Tony Blair’s decision to participate in the US-led invasion ofIraqin 2003 as well as his earlier stance on Kosovo and Sierra-Leone, the concept of liberal interventionism, has been a deeply controversial topic which continues to split opinions in the Labour Party and indeed the wider public. What strategy should the Labour Party adopt to ensure it combines an appreciation of the tough decisions and complexities involved as well as effectiveness and legitimacy in its foreign policy vision?
Speakers: TBC

Tuesday
Young Fabian Pamphlet Launch
Tuesday 27th September 08:00 – 09:30, West Reception Room, Liverpool Town Hall
The culmination of the Young Fabian policy series; a breakfast launch of the YF Policy Pamphlet with Young Fabians and special guests in attendance.
Speakers: Adrian Prandle (YF Chair), Joani Reid (leading YF ‘Next Generation’ Policy Commission), Fatima Hassan (ICAEW)

 
Labour After Murdoch
Tuesday 27th September 18:00, Liverpool Town Hall
Rupert Murdoch’s media empire has held sway over British politics for the last forty years. His relationship with Labour has fluctuated between alliance and emnity; from attacking Kinnock to backing Blair. With News International under scrutiny and Ed Miliband’s call to arms against the Murdoch press, have we passed the point of no return in our relationship with Rupert Murdoch?
Confirmed speakers:
Sadiq Khan MP, Shadow Justice Secretary & Shadow Lord Chancellor
David Blunkett, Former Home Secretary
Chris Bryant MP, Shadow Minister of Political and Constitutional Reform
Jackie Ashley, Columnist, The Guardian
CHAIR - Jean Seaton, Professor of Media History, University of Westminster

Wednesday
Pluralising Politics: Are progressive alliances the key to Labour’s future?
Wednesday 28th September 12:45, Baby Blue, 17 Edward Pavilion, Albert Dock
Confirmed speakers:
Stephen Twigg MP, Shadow Foreign Minister
Peter Hain MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Wales
Andrew Harrop, General Secretary, Fabian Society
Billy Hayes, General Secretary, CWU
Liz Kendall MP, MP for Leicester West
Neal Lawson, Chair, Compass
CHAIR - Katie Ghose, Chief Executive, Electoral Reform Society
In partnership with:
  



Policy Roundtables

Skills and social mobility
Monday 26th September 2011, Morning Session
  • How can we improve access to quality education, apprenticeships and support for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds?
  • Intermediate skills: How can we ensure better access to workplace training to allow employees to develop and progress in work? And what role should employers, communities and the Government play?
  • High-level skills: How can we ensure social mobility is not hindered by the recent rise in tuition fees?
  • How can we tackle cultural and aspirational barriers associated with restricted entry tojobs? Who is best at raising aspirations?
In partnership with:
With: David Lammy MP
 
Party reform across Europe: fit for the next decade?
Monday 26th September 2011, Morning Session
  • What lessons can be learned from the experience of sister parties acrossEuropeon party reform?
  • Is there a successful model that can be translated into different domestic contexts and political cultures or must internal party reform always be tailored to local experiences?
  • Is there a successful model that can be translated into different domestic contexts and political cultures or must internal party reform always be tailored to local experiences?
In partnership with:
With: Peter Hain MP
 
A green future for business? Is it time for a Carbon Tax?
Monday 26th September, Morning Session
  • How do we balance the need to fight climate change with support for important sectors of the economy such as manufacturing?
  • What are the best tax, regulatory and individual policy regimes to achieve this balance?
  • How can we ensure a ‘level playing field’ internationally?
  • What can we do to ensureBritainis best-placed to take advantage of the new opportunities that the green economy can provide?
In partnership with:
With: Luciana Berger MP
 
Fuel Poverty: Is Market Liberalisation the Answer?
Tuesday 27th September 2011, Afternoon Session
  • What Government initiatives present the best value for money in fuel poverty reduction? Are there other concerns?
  • Would creating a truly competitive liquid wholesale market at the generation end lead to true retail price competition and substantially lower the amount of households living in fuel poverty?
  • What regulatory powers should Ofgem have to intervene and protect consumers?
 In partnership with:
  
With: Meg Hillier MP