Liberal Democrat Christian Forum - Reports from Party Conferences

Reports from Party Conferences

Written by Kate Heywood and Faith Ponsonby
Sunday, 05 August 2007
Kate Heywood, LDCF Vice Chair gives a round-up of events at the party’s Spring Conference in Harrogate, March 2007. Faith Ponsonby gives a report on the South Central/South Eastern Regional Conference in Maidenhead, March 2007. Spring Conference This was the last time for a while that Spring Conference was held in Harrogate, as it goes to Liverpool in 2008 - the European City of Culture. The most high profile debate this year concerned the future of Trident, which hit the conference floor on Saturday morning. The media billed it as a key debate for the Party and conference did not disappoint. The policy to oppose taking an immediate decision on the renewal of Trident was passed by a narrow margin, making the debate very interesting and influential. Other items on the conference agenda included a new crime policy paper, community regeneration, Iran and climate change (with an emphasis on tackling home carbon emissions). Off the conference floor it was as busy as ever with numerous fringe events and stalls. The LDCF stall was well visited with more members joining us and we held four fringe events within 48 hours! Chris Huhne MP and Sarah Spinney from Christian Aid addressed our Friday fringe meeting on the recently published Stern Report, along with our Chair, Martin Turner. The event was well attended, with standing room only. A good discussion was had by all with an emphasis on the implications of climate change on the poor. Further details can be found on pages 3-4 as Sarah writes about current campaigns. A dinner for LDCF members followed, allowing people to get to know each other with good food and good conversation. The Saturday Conference Morning Praise started with a minute's silence for our late Treasurer Julian Cummins. After some musical worship Paul Marshall addressed us on the Biblical reasons why we should care for the environment, God’s creation. On Sunday morning Martin Turner spoke to us on the theme of ‘a new earth’. Thanks are due to all those who contributed to the smooth running of events. South Central/South Eastern Regional Conference Over 200 delegates attended this joint meeting, and Regional Organiser for South Central, Faith Ponsonby, held a short Prayer and Praise gathering at 9.15 a.m. before conference opened, which was attended by eight conference representatives. She also shared a table with ALDES (the Association of Liberal Democrat Engineers and Scientists), and when Sir Menzies Campbell toured the exhibition area, he willingly signed the anti-slavery petition. Faith writes: “It was great to show that we are beginning to be active in the regions. As a relatively new councillor on the local Borough Council, I am hoping to start a monthly prayer meeting for councillors and officers, modelled on the meetings which take place at Westminster. Is this beginning to happen in other Councils? “Also, following setbacks in the South Central area in the recent local elections, I am sure that we could offer one another more support by meeting occasionally in constituency groups. In my own constituency, there are at least five Christians who are also Lib Dem activists, and I know of several others in neighbouring areas, and even if only a couple of times a year, would find strength by meeting with them, perhaps over a meal.”

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