The Liberal Democrats have postponed its autumn conference as it clashes with the National Mourning period.
The conference (due to take place from 17 – 20 September) was expected to discuss aims and policies for the coming year.
Commenting on the news, councillor Nick da Costa, said: “The sad news of the last few days has touched our nation deeply. We now know that The Queen’s funeral will take place in the middle of the days planned for our conference.
“After very careful consideration – and taking soundings from as many people as we can – the Conference Committee and Federal Board have together regretfully decided to cancel our autumn conference and postpone the major debates until spring.”
Due to the cancellation, the party will experience a “substantial financial hit”.
“The conference is a major part of our budget and we stand to lose hundreds of thousands of pounds through this cancellation in lost income. (Event insurance policies do not cover the death of a Monarch.) At this point many of our supplier contracts are unavoidable.”
Plan B
Before cancelling and postponing, the councillor said the party also considered other options:
1. Continuing as planned
2. Shortening the conference to one day
3. Extending the conference
4. Postponing the conference by a few weeks
5. Moving the conference online
However, according to de Costa, these alternative options were not sustainable or practical – particularly due to the cost of living crisis.
“As a major political party, we want and need to show our respect to The Queen and the period of National Mourning. This is in line with the conclusion other major organisations have made about their scheduled events.
“Asking members to travel to Brighton for one day was not feasible and would have left little room for either debate or the important social aspects.
“Running our conference from 20 – 22 September would mean additional cost for members in extending and rescheduling hotel bookings.
“We have been unable to find suitable venues available in October. We were also worried about the additional costs for both members and the party of additional bookings.
“Running our conference online doesn’t give us the thing we have been missing so much since the pandemic: a chance to spend tie with each other,” explained de Costa.
What’s next?
The Liberal Democrats have been organising refunds on travel and hotels for attendees. The councilman said the party is also in discussion with South Rail and National Express about refunds for non-refundable tickets.
Attendees can also gain a full registration refund, or ask for credit towards a future conference.
