Fabian Society at Labour Party Conference 2023
The Fabian Society is returning to Liverpool for Labour Party Conference 2023, with our biggest ever conference fringe programme.
The Fabian Society is excited to be returning to Liverpool for Labour Party Conference 2023. This year we are pleased to present our biggest ever conference fringe programme. We have public events all day long, from Sunday 08 to Tuesday 10 October which promises something for everyone. We will be joined by some very special guest speakers, to be announced over the coming weeks. You can find us on the 4th floor of the Maritime Museum, situated on the Royal Albert Dock – just a short walk from the conference hall.
SUNDAY 08 OCTOBER
12.00 – 13.15 – English Labour Network and Fabian Society Law and Constitution Policy Group – Theatre Room
Taking Back Control? Making the Brown report work for England
- Paula Barker MP – Shadow Minister for Devolution and the English Regions
- Baroness Sharon Taylor – Spokesperson, Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
- Cllr Hannah McHugh – Islington Council. Chair, Fabian Society Law and Constitution Policy Group
- Sarah Sackman – member of the Brown Commission, PPC Finchley and Golders Green
12.00 – 13.45 – Fabian Women’s Network and Sport and Recreation Alliance – Room 1
Why the UK needs to be more active – Re-imagining health and wellbeing policy
- Kim Leadbeater MP – Member of Parliament for Batley and Spen
- Lisa Wainwright MBE – CEO, Sport and Recreation Alliance
- Professor Dame Janet Beer – Chair, Sport and Recreation Alliance
- Cllr Marianna Masters – Lambeth Council. Chair, Fabian Women’s Network
- Dr Sonia Adesara – NHS Doctor and activist
- Ginny Brown – CEO, Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing
- Cllr Lucia das Neves – Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Wellbeing, Haringey Council (chair)
14.00 – 15.15 – In partnership with ARCO – Theatre Room
Housing That Cares: How will Labour’s national care service create better housing options for older people?
- Andrew Gwynne MP – Shadow Minister for Social Care
- Cllr Shama Tatler – Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning, Brent Council
- Caroline Abrahams CBE – Charity Director, Age UK
- Cllr David Tunney – Resident, Shenley Wood Village
- Andrew Harrop – General Secretary, Fabian Society (chair)
14.00 – 15.15 – In partnership with Community Union, Prospect and Bectu – Room 1
Working For You: A progressive manifesto for the self-employed
- Imran Hussain MP – Shadow Minister for the New Deal for Working People
- Philippa Childs – Head of Bectu, Deputy General Secretary, Prospect
- Kate Dearden – Head of Research, Policy and External Relations, Community (chair)
- Helen Stephens – Community Self-employed steering group
- Dean Webster – TV Producer and Director, Bectu member
- Sasjkia Otto – Senior Researcher, Fabian Society
15.30 – 16.45 – Fabian Women’s Network – Theatre Room
The Damage Done: What should we do about maternal imprisonment?
- Ruth Cadbury MP – Shadow Minister for Prisons, Parole and Probation
- Bishop Rachel Treweek – Bishop for prisons
- Andy Keen Downs – Chief Executive, Prison Advice and Care Trust
- Mandy Ogunmokun – Founder and CEO, Treasures Foundation
- Cllr Sara Hyde – Islington Council. Justice expert
- Cllr Kelly Grehan – Kent County Council (chair)
17.00 – 18.15 – In partnership with Pro Bono Economics – Room 1
Partners With Purpose: How can non-profit organisations help public services to thrive?
- Tanmanjeet Dhesi MP – Shadow Exchequer Secretary
- Baroness Glenys Thornton – Shadow Spokesperson
- Dr Jansev Jamal – Director of Policy & Research, Pro Bono Economics
- Paul Farmer – CEO, Age UK
- Imran Hussain – Director of Policy & Campaigns, Action for Children
- Andrew Harrop – General Secretary, Fabian Society (chair)
17.00 – 18.15 – Young Fabians – Theatre Room
From Stagnation to Sustainability: How can Labour lead Britain to Green Growth?
- Cllr Joe Dharampal-Hornby – Lambeth Council. Head of Public Affairs at UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association
- Cllr Ryan Jude – Deputy Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Biodiversity, Westminster City Council. Programme Director for Green Taxonomy, Green Finance Institute
- Lauma Kalns-Timans – Senior research analyst on ESG and Data, Berenberg Bank. Vice-chair, Fabian Economy and Finance Network
- Patrick Cook – Chair, Fabian Environment Network, Secretary , Fabian Economy and Finance Network (chair)
18.30 – 19.45 – In partnership with NCVO – Supported by Lloyds Bank Foundation – Theatre Room
Building A Stronger Society: How can a Labour government unleash the power of charities to deliver its missions?
- Lilian Greenwood MP – Shadow Minister for Arts, Heritage and Civil Society
- Sarah Vibert – Managing Director, NCVO
- Mayor Marvin Rees – Mayor of Bristol
- Duncan Shrubsole – Director of Policy, Communications and Research, Lloyds Bank Foundation
- Andrew Harrop – General Secretary, Fabian Society (chair)
18.30 – 19.45 – Fabian Society – Room 1
Pathway To Power: How can Labour win the next election?
- Stella Creasy MP – Member of Parliament for Walthamstow
- Polly Toynbee – Journalist and Columnist, The Guardian
- Aletha Adu – Political Correspondent, The Guardian
- Paul Mason – Commentator and Journalist
- Dr Patrick English – Associate Director, Political and Social Research, YouGov
- Emma Burnell – Journalist, Political Consultant, Playwright (chair)
MONDAY 09 OCTOBER
11.00 – 12.15 – In partnership with UNICEF UK – Room 1
Breaking Down Barriers: How a Labour government could give every child the best start in life
- Helen Hayes MP – Shadow Minister for Children and Early Years
- Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP – Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills
- Jon Sparkes OBE – Chief Executive, UNICEF UK
- Imran Hussain – Director of Policy & Campaigns, Action for Children
- Peter Mitchell – Chief Executive, Big Help Project
- Ben Cooper – Senior Researcher, Fabian Society (chair)
12.30 – 13.45 – In partnership with Experian, National Literacy Trust and National Numeracy – Theatre Room
Unleashing The Power Of Data: Evidence based public policy that delivers real change
- Lord Sonny Leong – Shadow Spokesperson, Business and Trade. Co-founder, SME4Labour
- Mark Lindsay – Director, Marketing Services, Experian
- Jonathan Douglas CBE – CEO, National Literacy Trust
- Sam Sims – Chief Executive, National Numeracy
- Rachel Hopcroft CBE – Corporate Affairs Director, KPMG (chair)
12.30 – 13.45 – In partnership with Yorkshire Building Society – Room 1
Do It For Yorkshire: Unleashing potential and levelling up communities
- Dame Diana Johnson MP – Member of Parliament for Kingston upon Hull North
- Keir Mather MP – Member of Parliament for Selby and Ainsty
- Mayor Oliver Coppard – Mayor of South Yorkshire
- John Heaps – Chairman, Yorkshire Building Society
- Cllr Abtisam Mohamed – Sheffield City Council. PPC Sheffield Central
- Ben Cooper – Senior Researcher, Fabian Society (chair)
14.00 – 15.15 – In partnership with Hallam Land Management – Theatre Room
The Homes We Need: How to deliver on Labour’s housebuilding ambition
- Matthew Pennycook MP – Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning
- Nick Duckworth – Managing Director, Hallam Land Management
- Tom Copley – Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development
- Cllr Shama Tatler – Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning, Brent Council
- Kate Henderson – Chief Executive, National Housing Federation
- Luke Raikes – Research Director, Fabian Society (chair)
14.00 – 15.15 – In partnership with /Together – Room 1
What Matters More – a strong state or strong communities?
- Sarah Owen MP – Shadow Minister for Local Government, Faith and Communities
- Brendan Cox – Co-Founder, /Together
- Kate Green – Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester for Policing and Crime
- Sunder Katwala – Director, British Futures
- Inayat Omarji MBE – Bolton Community Leader, We’re Right Here
- Alison Phillips – Editor, Daily Mirror (chair)
17.00 – 18.15 – In partnership with Independent Age – Room 1
Shining A Light: How will a Labour government support the hidden 2 million pensioners in poverty?
- Gill Furniss MP – Shadow Minister for Pensions
- Joanna Elson CBE – CEO, Independent Age
- Helen Barnard – Director of Policy, Research and Impact, The Trussell Trust
- Adam Scorer – CEO, National Energy Action
- Daniella Jenkins – Pension Equality PHD Candidate, UAL. The Feminist Pension Project
- Andrew Harrop – General Secretary, Fabian Society (chair)
17.00 – 18.15 – In partnership with Ambition Institute – Theatre Room
Delivering Excellence In Education: How will a Labour government put teachers at the heart of its policy agenda?
- Josh MacAlister – Executive Chair, Foundations. PPC for Copeland
- Anne Heavey – Director of Insights, Ambition Institute
- Dr Patrick Roach – General Secretary, NASUWT
- Julie McCulloch – Director of Policy, Association of School and College Leaders
- Ben Cooper – Senior Researcher, Fabian Society (chair)
17.30 – 19.00 – In partnership with Connected by Data | Location: Tate Liverpool
What Labour should (and shouldn’t) do on data and AI policy in the first 100 days
- Sir Chris Bryant MP – Shadow Minister for Creative Industries and Digital
- Matt Rodda MP – Shadow Minister for AI and Intellectual Property
- Jeni Tennison – Executive Director, Connected by Data
- Tom Adeyoola – Labour Startup Review
- Mary towers – Head of AI, TUC
- Matthew Lawrence – Director, Common Wealth
- Shameem Ahmad – CEO, Public Law Project
- Sasjkia Otto – Senior Researcher, Fabian Society
18.30 – 19.45 – Scottish Fabians – Theatre Room
Towards Holyrood 2026: What a future UK Labour government means for Scotland
- Jackie Baillie MSP – Deputy Leader of the Scottish Labour Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care and Drugs Policy
- Chris Birt – Associate Director for Scotland, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Cat Headley – These Islands Advisory Board. Political Commentator
- Professor James Mitchell – University of Edinburgh
- Katherine Sangster – National Director, Scottish Fabians
20.00 – 23.00 – In partnership with Lloyds Banking Group
FABIAN SOCIETY RECEPTION – BETTER BUSINESS BRITAIN
- Wes Streeting MP – Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
- Anneliese Dodds MP – Chair of the Labour Party, Chair of the National Policy Review, Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities
- Anas Sarwar MSP – Leader of the Scottish Labour Party
- Alison McGovern MP – Shadow Minister for Employment – GUEST DJ
With food and drink supplied from independent producers from across the United Kingdom – Tiny Rebel Brewery, Red & Blue Restaurants, Happy Belly and Mackies
TUESDAY 10 OCTOBER
12.00 – 13.15 – In partnership with Local Trust – Room 1
Bringing Britain Together Again: How can the next Labour government deliver for our neighbourhoods?
- Anneliese Dodds MP – Chair of the Labour Party, Chair of the National Policy Review, Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities
- Lord Steve Bassam – Shadow Spokesperson
- Matt Leach – Chief Executive, Local Trust
- Professor Sarah Pearson – Sheffield Hallam University. Author, Local Trust
- Ralph Rudden – Co-chair, Sale West Big Local
- Cllr Sara Hyde – Islington Council. Vice-chair, Fabian Society (chair)
12.00 – 13.15 – In partnership with British Red Cross – Theatre Room
Alone Together: How would a Labour government tackle loneliness?
- Kim Leadbeater MP – Member of Parliament for Batley and Spen
- Olivia Field – Head of Policy, British Red Cross
- Cllr Jane Scullion – Leader, Calderdale Council
- James Lowman – Chief Executive, Association of Convenience Stores
- Andrew Harrop – General Secretary, Fabian Society (chair)
14.00 – 16.00 – KEIR STARMER SPEECH WATCH PARTY
Join us and special guests including Polly Toynbee (Journalist and Columnist, The Guardian), Paul Mason (journalist and commentator), Ryan Shorthouse (Executive Chair, Bright Blue) for live reaction and analysis to Keir Starmer’s conference speech
More speakers TBA
17.00 – 18.15 – In partnership with StepChange – Theatre Room
Defusing The Debt Timebomb: What’s Labour’s offer to under-pressure households?
- Michael Marra MSP – Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance
- Richard Lane – Director of External Affairs, StepChange
- Katie Schmuecker – Principal Policy Adviser, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Sacha Romanovitch OBE – CEO, Fair4All Finance
- Cllr Marianna Masters – Deputy Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Lambeth Council. Chair, Fabian Women’s Network (chair)
17.00 – 18.15 – In partnership with Publishers Association – Room 1
Breaking Down Barriers To Opportunity: How can the next Labour government unlock the power of reading for every child?
- Seema Malhotra MP – Shadow Minister for Skills
- Gill Furniss MP – APPG on Literacy and Libraries
- Rebecca Sinclair – Chief Brand Officer, Penguin Random House
- Jonathan Douglas CBE – CEO, National Literacy Trust
- Nadia Shireen – Author and Illustrator
- Ben Cooper – Senior Researcher, Fabian Society (chair)
18.30 – 19.45 – In partnership with Elysium Healthcare – Room 1
Future Of Mental Health: Solving the crisis in childhood mental healthcare
- Paul Sweeney MSP – Spokesperson for Mental Health and Veterans
- Dr Quazi Haque – Executive Medical Director, Elysium Healthcare
- Joe Lane – Head of Policy and Research, Action for Children
- Laura Bunt – Chief Executive, Young Minds
18.30 – 19.45 – Fabian Women’s Network – Theatre Room
What should the Labour Party policy be on black health and wellbeing?
- Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP – Chair of the Black Maternal Health APPG
- Sem Moema AM – London Assembly Member for North East
- Cllr Hilaria Asumu – Salford City Council. BME Kidney Network
- Cllr Tamar Barratt – Croydon Council. Domestic Abuse Expert
- Jennette Arnold OBE – Former London Assembly Member
- Dr Sonia Adesara – NHS Doctor and Activist
- Cllr Marianna Masters – Deputy Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Lambeth Council. Chair, Fabian Women’s Network (chair)
PRIVATE ROUNDTABLES
We are convening a number of invitation-only roundtables under the Chatham House rule. For more details or to apply for attendance please contact events@fabians.org.uk
WWF
The Environment Triple Lock: Labour’s global agenda for climate change, biodiversity and food security
FES and FEPS
Friends and Partners: How should the UK and EU build stronger ties if Labour comes to power?
Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association
Better Pensions For Britain: Improving retirement incomes and supporting economic growth
Community Pharmacy England
The Heart Of Primary Care: How can community pharmacies make Labour’s NHS fit for the future?
Lloyds Banking Group
Future Farming: Rooting jobs, growth and rural prosperity
Viatris
Better Value Healthcare: How to save the NHS money while improving health outcomes?
Marie Curie, Hospice UK and Sue Ryder
By your side at the end: How will Labour tackle unequal access to palliative and end of life care?
Association of British Insurers
The Left’s Plan for Climate Resilience
Go Ahead
Get On Board: How should a Labour government encourage people on to public transport?