Europe at Conference
Originally published by East Midlands Liberal Democrats
Saturday 14th September
Scottish Liberal Democrats Conference
10.40 - George Watson
Lunchtime fringe
13.00-14.00 - Better Off in a Better Europe? CentreForum and British Influence (SECC, Boisdale 2)
What reforms are needed to achieve a better and more popular European Union? Catherine Bearder MEP (invited); Martin Horwood MP; Adam Nathan, Deputy Director, British Influence; and Lord Wallace of Saltaire. Chair: Duncan Greenland, CentreForum.
Sunday 15th September
Lunchtime fringe
13.00-14.00 - What should the Lib Dem position be on an In/Out EU referendum? Electoral Reform Society (Crowne Plaza, Castle 1)
Speakers: Stephen Gilbert, MP for St Austell and Newquay; Professor Simon Hix from the LSE; Katie Ghose, CEO, ERS; Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP; Stephen Williams, MP for Bristol West. With Stephen Tall, Co-Editor of Lib Dem Voice as Chair.
13.00-14.00 - Scottish Independence? Why not European Federalism? Liberal Democrat Lawyers Association (Campanile, Picasso 3)
Why have independence when you have to cede sovereignty to the EU? Andrew Duff MEP and Prof Jo Shaw debate. Chair: Graham Colley, LDLA. For updated details see LDLA Fringe brochure & briefing notes at LDLA stand.
13.00-14.00 - A winning campaign for the 2014 European Elections: 'Jobs, Crime, & Environment'. Brussels & Europe LibDems (BELD) (Crowne Plaza, Staffa)
Charles Kennedy MP; Danny Alexander MP (tbc); Giles Goodall, Chair, BELD; Petros Fassoulas, European Movement; and MEPs (tbc) - discuss the campaign messages for the European elections 2014 - a winning campaign from our record of action in government and Europe.
Monday 16th September
Morning Fringe
8.00-9.00 - The EU: protecting consumers in the nation of shopkeepers. European Commission (SECC, Carron 2)
Speakers include: Jackie Minor, Head of European Commission Representation in the UK; and Jo Swinson MP (invited). The fringe will discuss how the UK and the EU can provide better information and protection for consumers without over-burdening businesses with regulation.
Early evening Fringe
18.15-19.30 - Does Britain's Economic future lie in Europe? Business for New Europe, Centre for European Reform, Open Europe (Crowne Plaza, Argyll 2)
Speakers: Rt Hon Michael Moore MP, Secretary of State for Scotland; Baroness Ludford MEP, Justice & Human Rights spokeswoman; Vicky Pryce, Economist and Author, Greekonomics; James Forsyth, The Spectator; Alan Houmann, Managing Director, Citi. Chair: Phillip Souta, Director, BNE.
18.15-19.30 - Does EU membership benefit British business? A debate. The Law Society, British Influence and Business for Britain (Crowne Plaza, Castle 2)
Martin Horwood MP; Desmond Hudson, CEO, Law Society; and Daniel Hodson, Business for Britain; debate whether the terms of Britain's EU membership are good or bad for British businesses.
Evening Fringe
20.00-21.15 - Winning in 2014 - Europe and the local elections. Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors and Liberal Democrat European Group (SECC, Leven)
Be inspired to win at all levels in 2014's joint local and European elections. Speakers: Tim Farron MP, Chair of 2014 Election Campaign; Chris Davies MEP; Cllr Ruth Dombey, Leader of Sutton Council; and Antony Hook, South East European Candidate.
20.00-21.15 - The Future of the UK. GovNet Communications (Crowne Plaza, Argyll 2)
Discuss the future of the UK in a late-night fringe event offering in-depth analysis of the upcoming Scottish and EU referendums, a quintessentially British supper, some laughs and a panel headed by pollster Sir Robert Worcester and Sir Menzies Campbell.
Tuesday 17th September
Main Auditorium
11.00 - Fiona Hall
15.15 Europe Policy Paper
Evening Fringe
20.00-21.15 - Defence, who is the enemy for Europe? And for the World? Liberal Democrat European Group, Liberal International British Group and British Influence (Crowne Plaza, Castle 1)
Lively debate promised on European and International defence issues, with amongst others lead Panellist Sir Nick Harvey, new President of LIBG. The debate will be chaired by Robert Woodthorpe-Brown and the event is being sponsored by British Influence.
20.00-21.15 - EU criminal law opt-out: the need for cross-border policing cooperation. Justice Across Borders (Crowne Plaza, Shuna)
Chair: Alison Suttie (tbc). Speakers: Lord Taverne; Sarah Ludford MEP; Danny Alexander MP (tbc), Chief Secretary to the Treasury; Jeremy Browne MP (tbc), Home Office minister; Richard Atkinson, Chair of Law Society of England and Wales' Criminal Law Committee (tbc).
20.00-21.15 - Will the EU wreck the UK's chances of a manufacturing future? Chemical Industries Association (Crowne Plaza, Barra)
This meeting will debate the benefits and challenges of the UK's role in and membership of the European Union.