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2019 Events

Drink Tank with Professor Matthew Goodwin

By 2019 Events

Our drink tanks are a chance to meet, network, chat, have a beer and share ideas.

For our May drink tank we welcome Professor Matthew Goodwin as our guest speaker. Matthew Goodwin is Professor of Politics and International Relations at the University of Kent. He has recently published a book entitled National Populism: The Revolt Against Liberal Democracy (with Roger Eatwell), which examines the rise and rise of national populism.

This event will be held after the 2019 European Elections and Matthew will give us his thoughts on the new makeup of the European Parliament.

Date:  Wednesday 29th May, 2019, 19.00 – 21.00

Venue: The Spying Room, Morpeth Arms, 58 Millbank, Westminster, London SW1P 4RW

RSVP: Here

May 29, 2019

Decarbonising the UK’s gas and heat

By 2019 Events

Decarbonising the UK’s gas network and heat sector is one of the most significant political and economic challenges facing the UK. Natural gas delivered by the network has been a mainstay of our energy system for more than 50 years. However, the continued use of unabated natural gas is inconsistent with meeting the UK’s legally binding greenhouse gas emissions target.

Bright Blue recently published Pressure in the pipeline: Decarbonising the UK’s gas. Happily, in the Spring Statement, the Chancellor adopted one of our ideas from this report of introducing an obligation to increase the supply of low-carbon gas in the network, alongside measures to reduce emissions from heating new homes.

Key questions:

  • Why and how should the supply of UK gas be decarbonised?
  • How can we reduce demand for UK gas in domestic heating?
  • Which technologies are supporting and will support deeper decarbonisation of UK gas and heating?
  • What policies should be introduced to improve energy efficiency in the heating sector?
  • What are the implications of deeper decarbonisation of UK gas on consumer gas prices?
  • Are there new policies that can support the decarbonisation of the UK’s gas network and heat sector while minimising costs to gas consumers?

Key speakers:

  • Dr Alan Whitehead MP, Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change
  • Dr David Joffe, Team Leader, Committee on Climate Change
  • Nathalie Thomas, Energy Correspondent, The Financial Times
  • Vedantha Kumar, Stakeholder Engagement Lead, Clean Heat Directorate, BEIS
  • Wilf Lytton, Senior Researcher, Bright Blue
  • David Smith, Chief Executive, Energy Networks Association
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Director, Bright Blue (Chair)

Date: Thursday 23rd May, 2019, 9:00am – 10.30am

Venue: Grimond Room, Portcullis House, London, SW1A 2JR

RSVP: Here

 

In partnership with:

May 23, 2019

Drink Tank with Dr Sam Friedman on ‘The Class Ceiling’

By 2019 Events

Our drink tanks are a chance to meet, network, chat, have a beer and share ideas.

For our March drink tank we welcome Dr Sam Friedman as our guest speaker. Sam Friedman is Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at the London School of Economics. He has recently completed a book entitled The Class Ceiling: Why it Pays to be Privileged (with Daniel Laurison), which examines social mobility into Britain’s higher professional and managerial occupations.

Date:  Wednesday 27th March, 2019, 19.00 – 21.00

Venue: The Spying Room, Morpeth Arms, 58 Millbank, Westminster, London SW1P 4RW

RSVP: Here

March 27, 2019

Energy & Environment Think forum: The Future of the farm: different perspectives on rural Britain

By 2019 Events, Think forums

Bright Blue’s think forums are run by our members and are spaces for those on the centre-right to come together to chat about politics and discuss policy.

For this forum, we welcome guest speakers Nick von Westenholz, Director of Brexit and International Trade, the National Farmers Union, Susan Twining, Chief Land Use Policy Adviser, the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), and Matt Kilcoyne, Communications Manager, the Adam Smith Institute.

Farming is the UK’s oldest profession, it is the driver of rural Britain’s economy and culture, and provides over half of the countries total food consumption. With many growing differences between urban and rural areas what is the future for farming in Britain. Britain’s decision to leave the European Union means it is once again responsible for farming policy, the current Agriculture Bill proposes a radical shake up of the system which will change prospects for producers and consumers. This event aims to gain an overall view of the future of farming in rural Britain and it’s relationship with increasing urbanisation, through the following key questions:

  • How should farmers and policymakers seek to balance the need for productivity and sustainability in farming?
  • What system should begin to replace CAP after Brexit?
  • What is the right balance between food security and self-sufficiency?
  • How can we encourage better engagement and retention of young people in the rural economy?
  • What are the biggest challenges facing the rural economy in the years to come?

Date: Monday 18th March, 2019, 19.00 – 21.00

Venue: The Boot & Flogger, 10 Redcross Way, London SE1 1TA

March 20, 2019

Energy & Environment Think forum: Where next for animal welfare standards in British agriculture?

By 2019 Events, Think forums

Bright Blue’s think forums are run by our members and are spaces for those on the centre-right to come together to chat about politics and discuss policy.

For this forum, we welcome two guest speakers John Flack MEP from Conservatives for Animal Welfare and Stuart Roberts from the National Farmers Union.

The UK has recently taken a leading role globally in shaping animal welfare policies. Closer to home,  our departure from the EU gives the British Government the freedom to set its own domestic policies for animal welfare standards in the agriculture sector.
At a time of huge potential change, the interaction between animal welfare standards, the farming community and consumer prices will never be more important. As such, what should be the Government’s goals when developing it’s policies in this area?

Date: Thursday 28th February, 2019, 19.00 – 21.00

Venue: Rose & Crown, 47 Colombo Street, Blackfriars, London SE1 8DP

RSVP: Here

February 28, 2019

York Drink Tank with Kevin Hollinrake MP

By 2019 Events

Our drink tanks are a chance to meet, network, chat, have a beer and share ideas.

For our York Drink Tank we welcome Kevin Hollinrake MP as our guest speaker. Kevin Hollinrake has been the MP for Thirsk and Malton since 2015. He is PPS to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Before he became an MP he co-founded Hunters real estate agency in 1992, and has been working in property for more than 30 years.

Date: Thursday 21st February, 2019, 19.00 – 21.00

Venue: P/T/006, Exhibition Centre, University of York, Heslington, YO10 5DD

RSVP: Here

February 21, 2019

Global Britain Think forum: Is the special relationship only skin deep?

By 2019 Events, Think forums

Bright Blue’s think forums are run by our members and are spaces for those on the centre-right to come together to chat about politics and discuss policy.

For this forum, we welcome two guest speakers: Professor Nick Pearce (Director, IPR and Author, Shadows of Empire: The Anglosphere in British Politics) and Jeffries Briginshaw (former CEO, British-American Business Council).

With Brexit fast approaching, conversation in Britain has turned to the importance of our ‘special relationship’ with the United States. It is said that for trade and political influence we must sit ever closer to our long-time ally.

Key questions:

  • Is the special relationship truly reciprocal
  • What will it take for the United States to stand closer to Britain
  • What impact will Brexit have on the US view of Britain
  • How expansive could a bespoke trade deal be
  • Does Britain’s future really lie in the ‘special relationship’

Date:  Wednesday 13th February, 2019, 19.00 – 21.00

Venue: The Spying Room, Morpeth Arms, 58 Millbank, Westminster, London SW1P 4RW

RSVP: Here

February 13, 2019

Exeter Drink Tank with Neil Parish MP

By 2019 Events

Our drink tanks are a chance to meet, network, chat, have a beer and share ideas.

For our Exeter Drink Tank we welcome Neil Parish MP as our guest speaker. Neil Parish has been the MP for Tiverton and Honiton since 2010. He is Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee. Before he became an MP he served ten years as MEP for South West England, he lives and works on his family farm in Somerset.

Date: Friday 8th February, 2019, 19.00 – 21.00

Venue: The Imperial, New North Road, Exeter, EX4 4AH

RSVP: Here

February 8, 2019

Canterbury Drink Tank with Damian Collins MP

By 2019 Events

Our drink tanks are a chance to meet, network, chat, have a beer and share ideas.

For our Canterbury Drink Tank we welcome Damian Collins MP as our guest speaker. Damian Collins has been the MP for Folkestone and Hythe since 2010. He is Chairman of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee. Before he became an MP, he worked in the advertising and communications industries, mostly at the M&C Saatchi advertising agency in London where he worked from 1999 to 2008

Date:  Thursday 31st January, 2019, 19.00 – 21.00

Venue: Tokyo Tea Rooms, 41 St George’s Place, Canterbury CT1 1UT

RSVP: Here

January 31, 2019

Drink Tank with James Cleverly MP

By 2019 Events
Our drink tanks are a chance to meet, network, chat, have a beer and share ideas.
For our Winter drink tank we welcome James Cleverly MP as our guest speaker. James Cleverly has been the MP for Braintree since 2015 and is Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party. Before he became an MP, he worked in the magazine and web publishing industry and was a small business owner. He has served for over 20 years in the Territorial Army.

Date:  Wednesday 23rd January, 2019, 19.00 – 21.00

Venue: The Spying Room, Morpeth Arms, 58 Millbank, Westminster, London SW1P 4RW

RSVP: Here

January 23, 2019
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