2016 Events

Our Drink Tanks are a chance to meet, network, chat, have a beer and share ideas.

For our second Drink Tank of 2016, we welcome Johnny Mercer MP as the guest speaker. Johnny is the MP Plymouth Moor View, winning the marginal seat from Labour in the 2015 General Election. Prior to becoming an MP, Johnny rose to the rank of Captain in the 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, where he served in military campaigns in Afghanistan. Johnny’s main missions in parliament are improving the provision of mental health treatment and reforming the way veterans are treated.

Date: Wednesday 12th April 2016, 19.00 – 21.00.

Venue: Morpeth Arms (Upstairs), 58 Millbank, London, SW1P 4RW

Bright Blue are hosting a public panel discussion on “The future of apprenticeships”, featuring the Secretary of State for Education, The Rt Hon Nicky Morgan MP, as a key speaker.

Britain needs a strong vocational skills base in order to boost productivity, strengthen employment outcomes, and remain internationally competitive. Apprenticeships are vital for building a highly skilled workforce. Between 2009/10 and 2013/14 the number of apprenticeship starts rose dramatically and the Government has now set a target of 3 million new apprenticeships by 2020. Focusing on the quantity of apprenticeships however, is not sufficient. Quality is also vitally important and must be a focus for policymakers.

Date: Wednesday March 23rd 2016, 14.00 – 15.00

Venue: The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House, Bridge Street, London, SW1A 2LW

RSVP: Here

To launch our Conservatism and human rights essay collection, Bright Blue is hosting an agenda-setting half-day conference with a keynote speech from the Former Attorney General, The Rt Hon Dominic Grieve QC MP.

Contributors to our essay collection and speakers at our conference include:

–    Sir Malcolm Rifkind QC (Former Foreign Secretary)

–    Trevor Phillips OBE (Former Chair, Equalities & Human Rights Commission)

–    Justin Forsyth (Former CEO, Save the Children)

–    The Rt Hon Maria Miller MP (Chair, Women & Equalities Select Committee)

–    Sir Professor Paul Collier (Professor of Economics & Public Policy, University of Oxford)

–    Crispin Blunt MP (Chair, Foreign Affairs Select Committee)

–    Timothy Stanley (Columnist, The Daily Telegraph)

Date: Tuesday March 22nd 2016, 08.45 – 13.30

Venue: The British Academy, 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AH

Bright Blue is launching its new report Standing alone? Self-employment for those on low income. Rises in the number of individuals self-employed since 2008 have been accompanied by sharp falls in earnings. With average earnings from self-employment now well below average earnings for employees, understanding the experiences and challenges facing self-employed individuals on low income is vital.

This report offers new evidence on these experiences and challenges and makes a number of innovative policy recommendations to support this group more effectively.

Speakers:

John Glen MP, PPS to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.

David Nash, Senior Policy Adviser, Federation of Small Businesses

Katy O’Malley, Senior Policy Researcher, Citizens Advice

David Kirkby, Senior Research Fellow, Bright Blue

Tom Clark, Chief Leader Writer, The Guardian, (Chair) (Invited)

Date: Tuesday 23rd February 2016, 14.15 – 15.30.

Venue: Committee Room 11, Palace of Westminster, London, SW1A 0AA

Kindly supported by:

For our first Drink Tank of 2016, we welcome George Freeman MP as the guest speaker. George is the Minister for Life Sciences and Member of Parliament for Mid Norfolk. He was formerly PPS to the Minister for Climate Change and Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Science and Technology in Agriculture. George is a member of Bright Blue’s Advisory Board.

The event will be chaired by Ian Birrell. Ian is a leading columnist and foreign correspondent. He worked for David Cameron as a speechwriter during the 2010 General Election and is former Deputy Editor of The Independent. Ian is also a member of Bright Blue’s Advisory Board.

Date: Monday 1st February 2016, 19:00 – 21:00.

Venue: Morpeth Arms, 58 Millbank, London, SW1P 4RW

Oliver Letwin is the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, with responsibility for leading the Cabinet Office. Elected Member of Parliament for West Dorset in 1997, Oliver was Minister for Government Policy under the Coalition Government. He has also served as the Shadow Home Secretary and as the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Date: Thursday 21st January 2016, 19:00 – 21:00.

Venue: Guildhall, 71 Basinghall Street London EC2V 7HH GB