Fringe debates at party conferences 2011

Date: 04/10/2011

The Centre for Cities is gearing up for an eventful and stimulating autumn party conference season.  We have a strong presence at party conferences, providing an independent, non-partisan and high-profile platform for debate on cities.

We are planning a varied programme including fringe panel events, intimate Ministerial roundtables and high-profile receptions held in partnership with Council Leaders at Liberal Democrat Party Conference (Birmingham, 17-21 September), Labour Party Conference (Liverpool, 25-29 September) and Conservative Party Conference (Manchester, 1-6 October).

Speakers include Eric Pickles, Vince Cable, Sir Howard Bernstein, Sir Ian Wrigglesworth, Mark Prisk, Cllr Nick Forbes and Mike Blackburn.

We will host one flagship fringe debate at each conference:

Liberal Democrats - On balance: Can the coalition deliver growth and fairness?

18:15-19:30, Sunday 18 September • Allegro Suite, Hyatt Hotel, Birmingham (outside the secure zone)

Speakers: Rt Hon Vince Cable MP (Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills), Sir Ian Wrigglesworth, Will Hutton, Steve Hollis (KPMG Regional Chairman & Deputy Chair of Birmingham and Solihull LEP), Cllr Barbara Janke (Leader, Bristol City Council).  Chair: Joanna Averley

See a write-up of the event on the blog.

Ian Wrigglesworth speaking at Lib Dem Party Conference 2011

Lib Dem fringe 2011

Labour - Post-Regeneration Cities: What next for Labour’s urban vision?

18:15-19:30, Tuesday 27 September • Touchbase (Meeting Rooms 1&2), Gower Street, Albert Dock, Liverpool (outside the secure zone)

Speakers: Jack Dromey MP (Shadow CLG Minister), Lord Beecham (Labour Spokesperson for Communities and Local Government), Cllr Nick Forbes (Leader, Newcastle City Council), Prof Michael Parkinson (Director,  European Institute for Urban Affairs), Rod Holmes (Chair, The Mersey Partnership), Rory Palmer (Deputy City Mayor, Leicester).  Chair: Joanna Averley

See a write-up of the event on the blog.

Rory Palmer, Michael Parkinson, Lord Beecham

Michael Parkinson, Lord Beecham, Joanna Averley

Jack Dromey, Rod Holmes, Cllr Nick Forbes, Joanna Averley

Conservatives - The Big Economy: From Enterprise Zones to Enterprise Nation? Supported by ICAEW 

14:00-15:30, Tuesday 4 October • Rusko Suite, St James’Buildings, Oxford Street (outside the secure zone)

Speakers: Mark Prisk MP (Minister for Business & Enterprise), Sir Howard Bernstein (Chief Executive, Manchester City Council), John Atkins (Managing Director, MAG Developments), Michael Izza (Chief Executive, ICAEW).  Chair: Joanna Averley

Mark Prisk, Joanna Averley, John Atkins, Sir Howard Bernstein, Michael Izza at Centre for Cities debate

Sir Howard Bernstein, Centre for Cities debate, The Big Economy

Mark Prisk, Centre for Cities debate, The Big Economy

All our events are outside the secure zone and a conference pass is not required.

We’ll also be holding a reception at Lib Dems in Birmingham on Saturday 17 September and in Manchester for Conservatives on Sunday 2 October, and a number of private roundtables.  Please contact Niamh Sands for further details.

See Centre for Cities on Flickr for more photographs for 2011 party conferences.

Events