Localism the New Opportunities
A Conference for Liberal Democrats

Book Online Now

Don't miss out on the chance to spend a day with other Liberal Democrats in local government, the Deputy Prime Minister and others at our one day Lib Dem Localism conference taking place on Friday 21st October 2011 (LONDON).

9:30am - 3.30pm (lunch and refreshments provided), Smith Square, Westminster, SW1P 3HZ

This is a conference and workshop for Liberal Democrats to look at the new opportunities provided by the Localism Bill. 

Speakers:
Rt Hon Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister
Lord Victor Adebowale, Chief Executive, Turning Point
Gordon Lishman CBE, Author of the 1970 Community Politics Resolution to the Liberal Assembly
Andrew Stunell OBE, Lib Dem Minister DCLG 
Helen Williams, Deputy Director of Neighbourhoods, National Housing Federation
Cllr Richard Kemp CBE, Deputy Leader, Liverpool Liberal Democrats
Chaired by Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Leader LGA Liberal Democrats

Who should attend?

Liberal Democrats who are: • Councillors • Community activists • Campaigners • Health Trusts and Housing Association Board members • School Governors

Register online now, more details of the programme and workshops below. 

Afternoon workshops include: 
Localism the Whole council approach
Cabinet Member for your Ward 
Housing and neighbourhoods
Integrating Town Hall and Campaigning 

The conference will be immediately followed by a discussion of the Resource Review (business rate) proposals at 3.00pm with Andrew Stunell MP and advisors to Danny Alexander MP. (this is for Group Leaders or other representatives, please email alanna.coombes@local.gov.uk if you are interested in attending.)

Book Now

Cheaper "Early Bird" registrations for ALDC's Kickstart Training weekend end this Saturday (8 October 2011).

Kickstart takes place 25-27 November 2011, just north of Birmingham.. This is the main training event of the year for volunteer campaigners, and a great opportunity to ensure your team is a WINNING TEAM at your next local elections

Click here to go direct to the online booking form. 

We've had an unprecedented level of interest in the event this year. It is great to see that so many people are up to the challenge of fighting local elections and sending a team to Kickstart. 

WHAT YOU GET:
Over 20 hours of training – both advanced and beginner.
Over six hours for your team working with an experienced mentor to develop your campaign plan. 
A weekend's accommodation at the Holiday Inn (M6 Junction 7 near Birmingham), food and training rooms.  (There's even time for both the pool and the bar...).  The weekend starts at 6:00pm on Friday and finishes 2:30pm on Sunday.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: 
Kickstart is great if you can bring along your campaign team. Imagine a whole weekend of campaign planning with expert help without any interference! This year we're encouraging everyone with elections in 2012 and 2013 to attend, but everyone is welcome.

 
Individual campaigners are also welcome - they will work together in small teams to develop plans and ideas. Kickstart works for experienced campaigners and new campaigners. It’s a great way to develop ideas and bring on new people. 

IS MONEY A PROBLEM? 
Many council areas provide assistance to their team to attend out of group funds. We know this isn't possible for everyone so there are a number of ways we can help.

- The G8 committee is happy to support council areas with elections in 2012 and 2013 with up to two "Half Price" places, with a priority for places with less resources than others. Contact ALDC for more details or email eleanor.ritchie@aldc.org

- If you've not got elections in 2012 or 2013, ALDC has a fund to support "Black Holes" attending Kickstart (no councillors or councillors in only one ward) - contact anders.hanson@aldc.org for more information. 

- Save £60 by sharing a room (with someone you know!)

- If you're near to Birmingham we have some low-cost non-residential rates - not available to book online but contact emma.hall@aldc.org  

 
HOW DO I BOOK: 
You can book now – online at ALDC’s website – click here to go direct to the booking form. Remember you need to LOG IN as an ALDC member FIRST to receive your members discount which will then be applied automatically. 
More information from Emma Hall – 01422 843 785 emma.hall@aldc.org 

Autumn Federal Conference is always a busy time for ALDC, and this year's event in Birmingham was no exception. 

ALDC's training programme saw 27 different sessions highlighting issues as diverse as: email campaigning, being an effective ward councillor, campaigning against organised independents and campaigning in your local community. 

Our Fringe programme kicked off on Saturday evening with our Annual General Meeting which included the 2011 ALDC Campaigner Awards presented by Party President Tim Farron (see separate story). This was followed by our members reception, with kind support from the Co-operative, and guest speakers Nick Clegg MP and Andrew Stunell MP. You can see a short video of Nick's speech to ALDC members below or on our YouTube site here. 

Three policy fringes included a fringe on campaigning locally on national issues where speakers included Andrew Stunell MP; a "Green Deal" event (with kind support from B&Q) where speakers included Chris Davies MEP, and a Community Politics event with speakers (Lord) Paddy Ashdown, Tim Farron MP, Daisy Cooper and Director of Elections and Skills Hilary Stephenson. 

More photos on our Flickr site here.

Community Politics fringe, local campaigning fringe, Nick visiting the ALDC stand, the members' reception, and two pictures form the Campaigner Awards. 

Read more & comment...

Liberal Democrat Federal Party Conference takes place this Saturday 17 September, to Wednesday 21 September 2011, in Birmingham. All Party members can attend, more details on registration are available from the main party website here. 

Download and print out ALDC's Conference Planner for our full guide to training and fringe events for this year's September Conference. 

Come and visit us in the Exhibition Hall - we're at Stand 104 in the main Hall 4. Come and tell us how you think ALDC is doing - staff, Management Committee members and volunteers will be on hand from Saturday through to Wednesday to help with advice, information, membership information and technical queries. 

Fringe Highlights

Saturday 17 September 2011, 8.15pm, ICC 10B (Conference Centre, just after the Rally)

ALDC Annual General Meeting and Campaigner Awards 2011
Party President Tim Farron MP presents the 2011 Campaigner Awards. £500 for the top prize sponsored by RISO and Midshires. We've received a record number of entries so it looks set to be a great evening (drinks provided).  

Sunday 18 September 2011, 1.00pm, ICC 8A
ALDC Members Reception (Members Only)
Join Nick Clegg MP and Andrew Stunell MP at our annual members reception in partnership with the Co-operative. (Lunch and drinks provided). 

Sunday 18 September 2011, 8.00pm Jury's Inn 112
Local Campaigning on National Issues
How do we campaign as a party in the new political environment? What are the best ways we can deliver our Autumn party campaign locally and nationally -  “Save money, Stay Warm, Go Green”. Speakers include: Andrew Stunell MP, Shaun Roberts. 

Training Highlights  

ALDC have 22 training session and six workshops at this Autumn’s conference in Birmingham. See our guide for the times for each session. 

Winning Ways
We are running a set of six ‘Winning Ways’ training sessions, these sessions will be run twice once in the morning and once in the afternoon:

Campaigning in your Community
In Touch All Year Round
A Record of Action
The Best Person for the Job
Voter ID
Targeting Voters

You might have missed: 
Next Generation Alumni
Update training session for the participants of Lib Dem Next Generation 1-5 and Lib Dems on previous Leadership Academies. 
Jury’s Inn room 114 – Sunday 9-15 to 10-45

Mayoral Campaigning - How we won in Bedford 
Sunday Morning at 11am  Room 113/115/117 of the Jurys Inn
Find out how we doubled our vote this May in Bedford with Mayor Dave Hodgson, Christine McHugh & Shaun Roberts.

Campaign Workshops
We have to half-day Campaign Workshops on Saturday afternoon: 

Winning Elections for Beginners 
This workshop is for people just starting out, it will give you the basics you will need to start campaigning in your ward, area, with practical ideas and examples to take away. Ideal for local election candidates and new campaigners.
Hyatt Regency Hotel Andante – Saturday – 2-30 to 5-30

Why should anyone vote for me in May?
This special session workshop will work though developing your message for next year's local elections. Ideal for all local election candidates, councillors, agents and campaign organisers.
Hyatt Regency Hotel Allegro – Saturday – 2-30 to 5-30

Download and print out ALDC's Conference Planner for our full guide to training and fringe events for this year's September Conference. 

Cllr Jonathan Wallace has arranged some photo ops for conference which will be of interest to ALDC members and other Councillors.

All will be held in Hall 5 of ICC. The Nick Clegg photo op is for council candidates for 2012 only (Leader's office stipulation) and members will need to notify Jonathan in advance if they are coming to the NC event by email to jonathanwallace@compuserve.com.

Sunday 11-11.30am Stand alone session (no MP but with props for income tax cut and pupil premium)

Monday 11-11.30am Chris Huhne (Green Deal)

Tuesday 4.30-5pm Nick Clegg (for 2012 council candidates only, no props)