CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
FRIDAY
14:00 Conference Opening Speech from Daniella Radice, the Green Party Candidate in the Bristol Mayoral election
Speech from the Party’s newly elected Leader, introduced by Caroline Lucas, MP, outgoing Leader
18:30 – 19:45 PANEL DEBATE – The Fight for Clean British Energy
Juliet Davenport, CEO, Good Energy; Jonathon Porritt, Founder Director, Forum for the Future; Paul Steedman, Senior Campaigner, Friends of the Earth
Chair: Caroline Lucas MP
In this panel debate, the Green Party invites leading campaigners and business leaders will outline their vision of the country’s energy future and what we must do to get there.
SATURDAY
0900 – 1015 ROOM 9 Workshop session a 00- C26(C08) Aarhus Convention
Following on from the Economic Democracy theme, the Aarhus Convention advocates making information on environmental issues available to the public, increasing environmental accountability.
1200 - 1315 ROOM 3 Workshop session a 00- C21(C05) Economic Democracy
‘Economic Democracy’ could be the watchword of the 2012 Green Party Conference. At a time when ordinary people are struggling, we have a government offering Austerity and an opposition offering Austerity 2.0. At the annual conference next weekend, the Green Party is presenting a coherent alternative for Britain’s economic future.
1200 - 1315 ROOM 15 F – Land Value Taxation: putting policy into practice – Caroline Lucas MP
Caroline Lucas MP will discuss her ground-breaking new private member’s bill to commission a programme of research into the merits of replacing the Council Tax and Non-domestic rates in England with an annual levy on the unimproved value of all land.
1330 – 1445 Room 15 F - Women by Name (for all female Green Party members) – Natalie Bennett
The new leader and founding chair of Green Party Women discusses the intersection between gender and sustainability thinking within the party.
1700 – 1815 PANEL DEBATE - Choosing to die – the law, your rights and the campaign for dignity at the end of life
Barbara Coombs Lee: President, Compassion & Choices; Louise Bazalgette: Senior Researcher, Family and Society Programme.
A panel to explore the current legal situation on assisted dying and make the case for change.
1700 – 1815 ROOM 15 F –.The Great Growth Debate – Rupert Read, co-convenor of Compass Greens
1830 – 1945 COUNCILCH F –.Decision making in local government: the Brighton and Hove experience – Simon Williams
With a national MP and holding the local council, Brighton is a fantastic opportunity to show what a green future will look like.
SUNDAY
0900 - 1015 ROOM 6 Workshop session – B01 Disability Voting Paper
The Green Party hopes to push a paradigm-shifting agenda on rights for disabled people. With the spotlight on the Paralympics, the Greens articulate societal and political change for a more inclusive world.
1200 - 1315 –.The Future of the NHS – Dr Gabriel Scally and Caroline Lucas MP
Gabriel Scally worked for the Department of Health but resigned in protest against recent reforms. Here he will to talk about key public health concerns, such as obesity and tobacco, restructuring of the NHS, links between sustainability and public health.
1700 - 1815 PANEL DEBATE – What if growth doesn’t happen?
Andrew Simms - New Economics Foundation; Molly Scott Cato - Professor of Strategy and Sustainability at the University of Roehampton and Economics spokesperson for the Green Party; Dr Jenneth Parker - Schumacher Institute; James Vaccaro –
How can we provide public services if there is no growth? What will the economy look like? What are the alternative models for providing services in the future? Can we grow the green sector? What jobs can we expect in the future? These pertinent questions will be addressed by our expert panel.
MONDAY
1230 - 1330 MAIN HALL Q&A with new Leader and Deputy Leader
Natalie Bennett and Will Duckworth will answer YOUR questions!