LDER Autumn Conference Newsletter
Electoral Reform - at the heart of the debate
LDER has never had a more timely or crucial debate than this year's fringe meeting. There is growing recognition on all fronts that Johnson's Government is riding roughshod over our democracy on a gross minority of electoral support. Recent LD Voice posts show our members are more aware than ever of the importance of political reform.
So join our Conference fringe debate - listen to our great panel of speakers and put your questions to them.
18.45 -19.35 Saturday September 26
The UK: a 'democracy' that cheats the voter
Why the UK badly needs true democracy - and how to get it.
Our speakers: Wendy Chamberlain MP, until recently our front bench spokesperson; Darren Hughes, Chief Executive, Electoral Reform Society; Peter Dunphy, Unite to Reform; Emma Knaggs, Grassroots Leader, Make Votes Matter.
AND…
Our 'virtual' exhibition stall
Throughout the conference, we will be running our stall, so please 'call in' on us. We'll have volunteers on duty; and videos about electoral reform. If you're not already a LDER member or donor, please sign up to join us! We want to hear from you.
How to join our virtual fringe and exhibition stall:
You have to be registered for the conference.
Then, using a Google Chrome browser and a computer, you can access the virtual Conference 'HopIn' platform and choose our debate and visit our stall. Really quite easy!
Other Conference events you might like
Friday
F2 Standing Orders for a Conference Held Remotely: 2.15pm Conference Hall
Essential for understanding how our online conference will work.
F4 Party Strategy: 15.00 - 16.15 Consultative session: The hard questions we need to get right
An excellent opportunity to raise the profile of electoral reform within the Party by putting in a speaker's card.
Saturday
F11 Policy Motion: 11.15 - 12.00 The Creation of a Federal United Kingdom
Though not directly related to electoral reform, plenty on improving our governance more generally
F13 Leader of the Liberal Democrats Q&A 15.05 - 16.00
Another opportunity this time to ask Ed a question on electoral reform
Other opportunities to raise questions about electoral reform will be available at the many fringe meetings - including our own, of course.
Another meeting that might be of interest is:
Sunday 13.00-13.50 Social Liberal Forum Radical Federalism
Wendy Chamberlain MP, Lib Dem spokesperson on the Constitution, and Jane Dodds, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, discuss liberal federalism, the UK's shocking regional inequalities and Keir Starmer's new idea. Chair: Cllr Gordon Lishman, SLF Council.
Enjoy Conference!
Our 2020 AGM
This year's AGM will take place virtually via Zoom. It will be held in late October - final date and time to be confirmed shortly.
In accordance with our constitution all executive positions are up for re-election. Details of how to put your name forward will be in our formal AGM mailing (early October), but there are two key vacancies this year:
Secretary
The Secretary's main responsibility is to take the minutes of exec meetings and update the action list, pass both to the chair for checking after the meeting and then circulate them to the exec committee mailing list
And an exciting new position, because we want to be highly strategic and pro-active in the social media space -
Online Content Manager
- involves producing and posting content for our Facebook page and managing our website, though we also want to expand our online presence to include a Twitter feed. The ideal post holder would additionally be able to manage our account with the website hosting service (currently IONOS).
Any immediate questions - let us know. We'll be in touch further.
A word about us
LDER is an officially recognised Associated Organisation of the party. Our remit is to educate and inform all members and supporters about electoral and political reform; and to assure the policy is high on the party's priority agenda. We also work with like-minded organisations such as Make Votes Matter, Unlock Democracy and the Electoral Reform Society on joint campaigns and to facilitate collaboration between interested parties.
But to achieve our goals, we do need funding. The online fringe meeting (as above) alone costs hundreds of pounds. Our sole income is from those of you who, as well as supporting us, also pay to be members of LDER.
It's only £10 per year (£5 concessions) to join so we hope as many of you as possible will do so by clicking this link.
Joining allows you to participate in our AGM and put yourself forward for membership of our Executive as well as improving our standing within the Party.