The SMF party conference fringe season kicked off in sunny (if windy) Brighton with the Liberal Democrats. on the first day we explored issues around the role of charities in the prison and probation sector, how transport can meet environmental challenges and how standards in healthcare should be regulated - themes that would continue through all three party conferences. The sunshine lasted through the next day, as did the lively debate on issues from compensation culture to media scare stories and social housing.
At our final fringe event, Baroness Shirley Williams made the news with her views on the damage that the fear of paedophilia, lack of social housing and long working hours have done to our sense of community, at our ‘Love thy Neighbour: Does community still matter?’ debate. This session clearly tapped into the concerns of the attendees and their earnest contributions provided a particularly high note on which to finish our Liberal Democrat fringe programme.
Moving on to Manchester the following week, our Labour party conference fringe programme kicked off with a lively and packed-out debate titled ‘Is New Labour Old Hat?’ . David Miliband, Stephen Byers, John Denham and Martin Bright all pitched in with their views.
The breakfast discussions were particularly animated and well attended during the week (even given the 8am start and overwhelming array of evening receptions to choose from). Themes included: nutrition and activity in schools with Jim Knight; financial inclusion with John McFall; and saving for retirement, post-Turner with John Hutton.
Among other topics discussed were: the importance of community, this time with Shahid Malik; engaging parents in education with Alan Johnson; the obligations of business on human rights with Vera Baird QC;and the future of the NHS with Patricia Hewitt.
Moving on to our final destination of Bournemouth, we were yet again met with glorious sunshine and high winds, and an extremely enthusiastic audience at our Sunday night debate on the nature of ‘Britishness’ and identity. From there we once again looked at the issues of community, education, compensation culture and social housing, drawing on insights from Alistair Burt, the Rt Rev Michael Nazir Ali, Nick Gibb and Michael Gove.
We retuned to transport for our final fringe of 2006 and then, appropriately enough, went off to catch our train back to London. Many thanks to all our sponsors, contributors and staff who came together to make the conference season both insightful and enjoyable.