The Liberal Democrats will begin their spring conference in just over a week. The three-day event will feature debates about policy and party business, as well as panel discussions involving experts and parliamentarians.
"It brings me so much pleasure to welcome you to our spring conference 2024," wrote Sir Ed Davey, the party’s leader. "Spring conferences are always exciting. As the days are getting brighter, we have the chance to come together, to debate, to make new friends and catch up with old ones.
"Our spring conference this year brings with it an extra special buzz. The general election year is finally here. This might even be our last chance to get together before it. Before this country finally has a chance to bring an end to the chaos and shambles that the Conservatives have served us for over a decade."
Here is everything you need to know about the event.
When is the Lib Dem spring party conference taking place?
The conference takes place between Friday March 15 and Sunday March 17.
Where is the spring party conference taking place?
The event is being held across three different venues.
Conference venue
York Barbican, Paragon Street, York YO10 4AH
Conference hotel
Novotel York Centre, Fishergate, York YO10 4FD
Official fringe venue
Hilton York, 1 Tower Street, York YO1 9WD
Who will be speaking at the conference?
A range of speeches will be made by MPs at the event. Highlights include Ed Davey's conference rally "brought to you by Tory Removals", a speech by Layla Moran MP (spokesperson for international affairs), a speech by Alistair Carmichael MP (spokesperson for home affairs) and Are You Drinking What We’re Drinking? by Tim Farron MP (spokesperson for environment and rural affairs).
Full schedule
Friday, March 15
15.00-17.00 Consultative session: Science and Technology
18.30-19.30 Conference Rally
Saturday, March 16
09.00-09.10 Opening of Conference
09.10-09.25 Reports: Federal Conference Committee
and Federal Policy Committee
09.25-10.10 Policy motion: Sport for the People
10.10-10.55 Policy motion: Boosting Cancer Survival
10.55-11.10 Speech: Helen Morgan MP
11.10-12.25 Policy motion: Liberal Values in a Dangerous World
12.25-12.35 Budget response: Sarah Olney MP
12.35-12.50 Constitutional amendment: Federal Appeals Panel
12.50-14.10 Lunch break and fringe
13.00-14.00 Consultative session: Future of Work
14.10-14.55 Question and answer session: Ed Davey MP
14.55-15.45 Policy motion: Are You Drinking What We're Drinking?
15.45-16.00 Speech: Layla Moran MP
16.00-16.45 Policy motion: Tackling Persistent Absence
16.45-17.30 Policy motion: 40 New Hospitals
17.30-18.00 Reports: Parliamentary Parties
Sunday March 17
09.00-09.45 Emergency motion
09.45-10.25 Report: Federal Board
Report: Campaign for Gender Balance
Report: Federal Communications and Elections Committee
Report: Federal International Relations Committee
Report: Federal Council
10.25-10.40 Speech: Alistair Carmichael MP
10.40-11.25 Policy motion: The Funding Crisis in Local Government
11.25-11.45 Party Awards
11.45-13.00 Speech: Ed Davey MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats
13.00 Close of Conference
How to watch the Lib Dem spring party conference
The conference will be streamed here.
