In
a week's time there's a real party conference in Bristol – very
different from the orchestrated sponsored rallies that have become
the norm for Tories, Labour and LibDems. This one really is a
conference of the party's members, making the key decisions and
staging real and relevant debates for members and the public.
The
autumn Green Party Conference runs from Friday 7th to
Monday 10th September at the Council House on College
Green.
Here
are some of the sessions that are open to the public (the link shows more) - you don't have to be a Green Party member to attend. All take
place at the Council House unless otherwise
stated
Friday 7th
15.00 The Bristol Pound - Ciaran Mundy, Bristol Pound CIC
18.30 Making the case for streets as great places to walk or cycle - speakers from Sustrans and Living Streets
Saturday 8th
13.30 OXFAM fringe "Can we fix a broken world system - how about a Sustainable one? " (at the Mauretania)
15.00 Homo Sapiens Report with Michael Wadleigh ( as seen at 2011 Schumacher Festival) – (at the Mauretania)
18.30 New Economics Foundation - New Home Front 2 (Reception)
Sunday 9th
1200 The Future of the NHS with Dr Gabriel Scally- ex SW Regional Director of Public Health (recent Guardian interview): Chair - Caroline Lucas MP
(The Mauretania cafe/bar is just next to the Council House on Park Street)
Friday 7th
15.00 The Bristol Pound - Ciaran Mundy, Bristol Pound CIC
18.30 Making the case for streets as great places to walk or cycle - speakers from Sustrans and Living Streets
Saturday 8th
13.30 OXFAM fringe "Can we fix a broken world system - how about a Sustainable one? " (at the Mauretania)
15.00 Homo Sapiens Report with Michael Wadleigh ( as seen at 2011 Schumacher Festival) – (at the Mauretania)
18.30 New Economics Foundation - New Home Front 2 (Reception)
Sunday 9th
1200 The Future of the NHS with Dr Gabriel Scally- ex SW Regional Director of Public Health (recent Guardian interview): Chair - Caroline Lucas MP
(The Mauretania cafe/bar is just next to the Council House on Park Street)
3 comments:
Pete
I doubt you've been to a Lib Dem Conference, so it's a bit presumptuous to call it an 'orchestrated, sponsored rally'. I've been twice and have found lively, stimulating, intelligent debate. Policies are put forward and decided by members, who are unafraid of disagreeing with the Parliamentary Party. Sorry if that doesn't match your cynical assumptions!
Simon: true, I've never been to a LibDem conference, and (I'm guessing) they probably fall somewhere between the Green conferences and the Lab/Con rallies in terms of the access and influence of individual members. Maybe it relates to party size?
I suppose the key measures to compare them would be the control of the agenda, the power of the leadership to override conference, and the degree of sponsorship (including access to major figures) they hope to attract.
I do hope the Greens never follow in the path of the big three on these things (though my confidence first started to slip many years ago, when I first saw a prominent party member wearing a smart suit and talking into a mobile phone. It didn't seem right!)
My Uncle spoke from the platform at the Liberal Conference in 1981. He spoke out against the leadership and its direction as being too right wing. He was sidelined from the party following his speech and never held any further position.
I doubt things have got better since 1981.
arry
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