Conference will set twin pillars for 2011 campaign (Preseli Pembrokeshire Liberal Democrats)

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Preseli Pembrokeshire Liberal Democrats <bobkilmister@aol.com>

Conference will set twin pillars for 2011 campaign

October 6, 2008 12:00 AM
Originally published by Welsh Liberal Democrats

Welsh Liberal Democrats will gather in Clydach this weekend with key debates on education and health to set the agenda for the 2011 Welsh General Election.

The new consultative sessions are the first time that conference as a whole will be asked to make its mark on policy development. Traditionally, policy has been drawn up by policy committee, or local parties, then submitted to conference for approval or rejection.

The consultation papers (Schools - the ladder to success, and A Health Service Fit for the Future) were drawn up by spokespeople Kirsty Williams and Jenny Randerson, with the help of experts within the party, and non-party members. Cllr Elgan Morgan, chair of conference committee, said: "These consultative sessions mark an opening up of policy making in the Welsh Liberal Democrats. The consultative papers have been put together with expert input from inside and outside the party. Now members have an opportunity to shape the discussion, before formal policy motions come back in the spring. "We are proud of our commitment to democracy and empowering people to make their own choices. This is a natural extension of that. Members will have a genuine opportunity to set the agenda on education and health - the two areas where the Assembly has the greatest freedom to innovate and make a difference." The conference will also conclude an overhaul of the party's constitution. Spring conference established a constitutional review led by Party President Christine Humphries. That review has now concluded and conference will be asked to vote on 93 possible changes - to make the constitution fit for the 21st century. These include changes to how the leader can be nominated, expenses for the leadership campaign and replacing policy committee with a single elected chair of policy. Cllr Morgan added: "The review panel has looked long and hard at how the party operates and put forward a wide range of suggestion. Debating these changes will take up a large chunk of conference, but will ensure that the party is fit for the challenges of the second decade of devolution. The creation of a standing committee on the constitution (one of the amendments) should also ensure that such root and branch review will never be needed again." Notes:

Copies of the conference agenda and all key papers are available to download from the diary section at www.welshlibdems.org.uk .

Conference takes place at the Forge Fach Community Centre, Clydach, Swansea from Saturday morning until Sunday afternoon. The centre, which opened in 2006, is a £1.8m state of the art facility owned and operated by the Cwmni Clydach Development Trust.

Keynote speeches will come from lead European candidate Dr Alan Butt Philip (Sat, 1200h), Leader Mike German (Sat 1615h) and President Christine Humphries (Sun, 1500h).