Party conferences
Each year, we organise panel events at the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrats party conferences, offering expertise and evidence on pressing policy topics.
We have been running our conference programme for a number of years, bringing together panels of experts to discuss a wide range of pressing policy challenges at the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrats conferences.
Join us at the Liberal Democrats Conference in Brighton from 14 to 17 September, the Labour Conference in Liverpool from 22 to 25 September and in Birmingham for the Conservative Conference from 29 September to 2 October, for a series of events on health, energy, education and so much more.
To find out more about any of our events at party conference this year, please email policy@manchester.ac.uk.
Liberal Democrats Party Conference
14 September - 17 September 2024
In partnership with the Social Market Foundation
Monday, 16 September, 11:30am- 12:30pm
Brighton Harbour Hotel, Brighton, BN1 1NA
A rapidly growing number of young people experience poor mental wellbeing, with vulnerable children often more likely to suffer negative outcomes. Join us to discuss how education policy can better support children’s wellbeing and mental health. The event will feature new research from The University of Manchester.
Confirmed panellists:
- Munira Wilson MP, Member of Parliament for Twickenham and Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Education
- Caroline Voaden MP, Member of Parliament for South Devon
- Aveek Bhattacharya, Research Director at the Social Market Foundation
- Dr Charlotte Bagnall, Lecturer in the Psychology of Education at The University of Manchester
- Professor Lade Smith, President at the Royal College of Psychiatrists
- Miranda Green, The Financial Times and former Special Advisor to the Liberal Democrats
Labour Party Conference
22 September - 25 September 2024
In partnership with the Institute for Government
Monday, 23 September, 10:45am - 11:45am
(Secure Zone) Arena Room 6, Arena and Convention Centre, King's Dock, Port of Liverpool, Kings Dock St, Liverpool L3 4FP
Confirrmed panellists:
- Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government (Chair)
- Jim McMahon MP, Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
- Kim McGuinness, Mayor of the North East
- Richard Jones, Vice-President, Regional Innovation and Civic Engagement and Professor of Innovation Policy at The University of Manchester
- Jen Williams, Northern England Correspondent at the Financial Times
Monday, 23 September 2024, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Hilton Hotel, Grace Suite 1, Liverpool L1 8LW
Fewer GPs means fewer appointments. For many patients, trying to see a medical professional face-to-face is already too challenging. And the endless demand on time and overwhelming numbers of patient contacts are driving an exodus of professionals from our NHS. So, what can government do to reverse the decline and deliver an NHS that works for patients and staff?
Confirmed panellists:
- Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation (Chair)
- Dr Simon Opher MP, Member of Parliament for Stroud and General Practitioner
- Dr Imelda McDermott, Research Fellow at The University of Manchester
- Rachel Power, CEO of the Patients Association
- Dr Becks Fisher, Director of Research and Policy at the Nuffield Trust
Monday, 23 September, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Hilton Hotel, Grace Suite 1, Liverpool L1 8LW
Green jobs. Energy independence. Lower bills. Addressing climate change - arguably Britain could capture all the benefits of catalysing our transition to clean energy. But there are challenges ahead, and the need for action is urgent. So, have our policymakers got the right plan for our energy transition?
Confirmed panellists:
- Alexander Gray, Deputy Director for External Affairs at Energy UK (Chair)
- Olivia Blake MP, Member of Parliament for Sheffield Hallam
- Professor Zara Hodgson, Director of Dalton Nuclear Institute at The University of Manchester
- Katy Recina, Head of External Affairs at National Gas
- Asif Rehmanwala, CEO of Ecotricity
- Pablo John, Head of External Affairs at the Association of Decentralised Energy
In partnership with The Social Market Foundation
Monday, 23 September, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Room 14, ACC, King's Dock, Port of Liverpool, Kings Dock St, Liverpool L3 4FP
Please note that this event will take place inside the secure zone and a conference pass will be required to attend
A rapidly growing number of young people experience poor mental wellbeing, with vulnerable children often more likely to suffer negative outcomes. Join us to discuss how education policy can better support children’s wellbeing and mental health. The event will feature new research from The University of Manchester.
Confirmed panellists:
- Aveek Bhattacharya, Research Director at the Social Market Foundation (Chair)
- Catherine McKinnell MP, Minister of State in the Department for Education
- Jess Asato MP, Member of Parliament for Lowestoft
- Dr Charlotte Bagnall, Lecturer in the Psychology of Education at The University of Manchester
- Professor Lade Smith, President at the Royal College of Psychiatrists
Conservative Party Conference
29 September - 2 October 2024
In partnership with the Social Market Foundation
Monday, 30 September, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Fortissimo Room, Hyatt Regency, 2 Bridge St, Birmingham B1 2JZ
Please note that this event will take place inside the secure zone and a conference pass will be required to attend
A rapidly growing number of young people experience poor mental wellbeing, with vulnerable children often more likely to suffer negative outcomes. Join us to discuss how education policy can better support children’s wellbeing and mental health. The event will feature new research from The University of Manchester.
Confirmed panellists:
- Aveek Bhattacharya, Research Director at the Social Market Foundation (Chair)
- Dame Rachel De Souza, The Children's Commissioner
- Damian Hinds MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Member of Parliament for East Hampshire
- Dr Charlotte Bagnall, Lecturer in the Psychology of Education at The University of Manchester
- Professor Lade Smith, President at the Royal College of Psychiatrists
In partnership with the Institute for Government
Monday, 30 September, 10:45am-11:45am
Soprano Room, Hyatt Regency, 2 Bridge St, Birmingham B1 2JZ
Please note that this event will take place inside the secure zone and a conference pass will be required to attend
Confirmed panellists:
- Councillor Anne Handley, Leader of East Riding Council
- Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government
- Richard Jones, Vice-President, Regional Innovation and Civic Engagement and Professor of Innovation Policy at The University of Manchester
- Laura Shoaf, Chief Executive of the West Midlands Combined Authority
Tuesday, 1 October, 10:30am-11:30am
LOB103, Birmingham Library, Centenary Sq, Birmingham B1 2ND
More people may die from drug resistant infections than from cancer over the next 25 years. A steady rise in antimicrobial resistance is being driven by over-prescription and increased use on the crops we eat. Without cooperation, we could be facing the next most pressing global healthcare challenge. What can be urgently done to address resistance from agriculture to operating table?
Confirmed panellists:
- Ryan Henson, Chief Executive Officer at the Coalition for Global Prosperity (Chair)
- Lord Markham, Former Parliamentary Under-Secretary at The Department for Health and Social Care
- Dr Wendy Thompson, Clinical Senior Lecturer at The University of Manchester
- Frances Garraghan, Technical Programme Lead for the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association
- Colette Goldrick, Director of Corporate Strategy at The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry
- Jessica Fraser, Technical Manager for Health Systems Strengthening at the Tropical Health and Education Trust
Tuesday, 1 October, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
LOB103, Birmingham Library, Centenary Sq, Birmingham B1 2ND
Green jobs. Energy independence. Lower bills. Addressing climate change - arguably Britain could capture all the benefits of catalysing our transition to clean energy. But there are challenges ahead, and the need for action is urgent. So, have our policymakers got the right plan for our energy transition?
Confirmed panellists:
- Holly Brazier Tope, Head of Politics, The Green Alliance (Chair)
- Professor Alice Larkin, Professor in Climate Science & Energy Policy, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at The University of Manchester
- Samuel Kurtz MS, Member of the Welsh Parliament and Shadow Minister for Economy and Energy
- Andrew Bowie MP, Shadow Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Jake Tudge, Corporate Affairs Director at National Gas
- Asif Rehmanwala, CEO of Ecotricity