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2021 Events

Bright Blue TV: Christianity: just for Christmas?

By 2021 Events

You do not need a ticket. To watch the livestream, simply click here at 12:00pm on Thursday. 

Join Bright Blue on Thursday afternoon for the next episode of Bright Blue TV on the theme: Christianity: just for Christmas?

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, when billions of Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s also the busiest time of year for churches, as many people make their only visit of the year to share in the festivities. As the number of people who identify as Christian in the UK declines, what role can Christianity continue to play in our lives? Its foundational influence is undeniable, and non-believers can still appreciate Christian buildings, art, and charitable work, but the privileges still afforded to the Church of England are more controversial. The Church has modernised as society has changed, with women reaching the highest echelons of the episcopal hierarchy, but it has been accused of moving too slowly on some issues such as LGBT rights, and modernisation has not been without its critics within the Church itself. At the recent General Synod of Anglican leaders, the Archbishop of York remarked that the Church must not simply “manage decline gracefully” and that, should the Church die, it should have “a grand operatic death”. Is the decline of the Church really so terminal, what would such an operatic death entail, or can the decline be reversed?

This episode of Bright Blue TV is hosted by Communications Manager of Bright Blue, Joseph Silke. In this episode, he will be joined by the Rector at Great St Bartholomew’s church in the City of London, Fr Marcus Walker, the Chief Executive of Humanists UK, Andrew Copson, the Director of the Ozanne Foundation and the Global Interfaith Commission on LGBT Lives, Jayne Ozanne, and the freelance journalist and spiked columnist, Ella Whelan.

You do not need a ticket. To watch the livestream, simply click here at 12:00pm on Thursday. Submit questions before or during the event via Slido here.

December 16, 2021

Members’ meet-up with Gareth Davies MP

By 2021 Events

Our next members’ meet-up will be with Gareth Davies MP. He will speak about how to mobilise private capital for public good.

Gareth Davies MP has represented the constituency of Grantham and Stamford in Lincolnshire since the 2019 general election and has been a member of the Finance Committee since 2020.

Before politics, he was in the investments industry and was head of responsible investment solutions at the asset management firm Columbia Threadneedle Investments.

Date:

Tuesday 30th November 2021, 19:30 – 21:00

Location:

Bright Blue, Second Floor, 4-8 Ludgate Circus, London, EC4M 7LF

RSVP:

This event is free for all members, but non-members can attend for £5 – members and non-members should RSVP via Eventbrite here.

November 30, 2021

COP26

By 2021 Events, Home, Press Releases

COP26

Bright Blue is delighted to announce our fringe event programme at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26).

You do not need a pass to attend any of our events in Glasgow as they are taking place outside both the Blue Zone and Green Zone. You can just show up, but please do register using Eventbrite below.

Livestreams of all of our public events will be available to watch via our YouTube channel. Recordings of all our events will also be available on our YouTube channel after the conference.

If you would like more information about our events at COP26, please get in touch with our Communications Manager Joseph Silke.

Charging up? Maturing the market for EVs, in Britain and across the world

Wednesday 10 November 2021, 10:00 – 11:30 GMT
The Aspire Room, The Studio, 67 Hope Street, Glasgow, G2 6AE
You can watch the event online here.

  • Huw Merriman MP, Chair, Transport Committee
  • Graham Simpson MSP, Shadow Minister for Transport, Scottish Conservatives
  • Analisa Bevan, Zero Emission Infrastructure Specialist, California Air
    Resources Board
  • Andy Palmer, Chief Executive, Switch, and Founder, Palmer Automotive, and former Chief Executive, Aston Martin
  • Konstanze Scharring, Director of Policy and Government Affairs,
    Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
  • Patrick Hall, Senior Research Fellow, Bright Blue
  • Ian Plummer, Commercial Director, Auto Trader
  • Ben Webster, Environment Editor, The Times (Chair)

RSVP here.

A local solution? Britain’s low-carbon, community energy

Wednesday 10 November 2021, 12:00 – 13:30 GMT
The Aspire Room, The Studio, 67 Hope Street, Glasgow, G2 6AE
You can watch the event online here.

  • Brian Whittle MSP, Shadow Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform, Scottish Conservatives
  • Patrick Allcorn, Head of Local Net Zero, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
  • Dr Afsheen Rashid MBE, Chief Executive, Repowering London
  • Dr Matthew Hannon, Senior Lecturer, Human Centre for Entrepreneurship, University of Strathclyde
  • Vidhya Alakeson, Chief Executive, Power to Change
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Chief Executive, Bright Blue (Chair)

RSVP here.

Smarter and greener? Our low-carbon energy future

Wednesday 10 November 2021, 14:00 – 15:30 GMT
The Aspire Room, The Studio, 67 Hope Street, Glasgow, G2 6AE
You can watch the event online here.

  • Alex Sobel MP, Chair, Net Zero APPG
  • Terhi Lehtonen, State Secretary at Ministry for the Environment, Finland
  • Murdo Fraser MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery, Scottish Conservatives
  • Andy Manning, Principle Economic Regulation Specialist, Citizens Advice
  • Professor James Yu MBE, Head of Innovation, SP Energy Networks
  • Dan Brooke, Chief Executive, Smart Energy GB
  • Rebecca Foster, Researcher, Bright Blue (Chair)

RSVP here.

A just transition: left behind areas and net zero

Wednesday 10 November 2021, 16:00 – 17:30 GMT
Online only
You can watch the event online here.

  • Jeremy Balfour MSP, Deputy Party Spokesperson on Local Government, Scottish Conservatives
  • Hazel Sheffield, Journalist and Founder, Far Nearer
  • Lisa Ashford, Chief Executive, Ethex
  • Mark Pepper, Development Manager, Ambition Lawrence Weston
  • Patrick Hall, Senior Research Fellow, Bright Blue (Chair)

RSVP here.

Going negative? The role of bioenergy and net zero

Thursday 11 November 2021, 08:00 – 09:30 GMT
The Aspire Room, The Studio, 67 Hope Street, Glasgow, G2 6AE
You can watch the event online here.

  • Madeline Cuff, Environment Reporter, The i
  • Dr Doug Parr, Chief Scientist and Policy Director, Greenpeace UK
  • Nina Skorupska, Chief Executive, Renewable Energy Association
  • William Craroft-Eley, Chief Executive, Terravesta
  • Silvio Spiess, Founder, Innasol
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Chief Executive, Bright Blue (Chair)

RSVP here.

A burning issue? Waste, climate and health in the developing world

Thursday 11 November 2021, 10:00 – 11:30 GMT
The Aspire Room, The Studio, 67 Hope Street, Glasgow, G2 6AE
You can watch the event online here.

  • Sir Nicholas Kay KCMG, COP26 Regional Ambassador for Africa (invited)
  • Maurice Golden MSP, Convener, Cross-Party Group on Circular Economy, Scottish Conservatives
  • The Hon Lamin B. Dibba, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources, Republic of The Gambia
  • Charles Heaulme, Chief Executive, Huhtamaki Group Plc
  • Dr Suzanne Bartington, Clinical Research Fellow in Environmental Health, University of Birmingham
  • Dr Cressida Bowyer, Senior Research Fellow in Revolution Plastics,
    University of Portsmouth
  • Ceris Turner-Bailes, Chief Executive Officer, WasteAid
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Chief Executive, Bright Blue (Chair)

RSVP here.

Hydrogen for heating: a consumer-friendly, low-carbon solution?

Thursday 11 November 2021, 12:00 – 13:30 GMT
The Aspire Room, The Studio, 67 Hope Street, Glasgow, G2 6AE
You can watch the event online here.

  • Andy Manning, Principle Economic Regulation Specialist, Citizens Advice
  • Dr Richard Lowes, Senior Associate, Regulatory Assistance Project
  • Clare Jackson, Chief Executive, Hydrogen UK
  • David Watson, Head of Energy Transition, Cadent Gas
  • Patrick Hall, Senior Research Fellow, Bright Blue (Chair)

RSVP here.

In competition or collaboration? Nature and net zero

Thursday 11 November 2021, 16:00 – 17:30 GMT
Online only
You can watch the event online here.

  • Tony Juniper CBE, Chair, Natural England
  • Mike Thompson, Chief Economist and Director of Analysis, Committee on Climate Change
  • Kelly Ann Naylor, Vice-Chair, UN Water
  • Torgny Holmgren, Executive Director, Stockholm International Water Institute
  • Ronan Palmer, Associate Director of Clean Economy, E3G
  • Professor Tom Stephenson, Professor of Water Sciences, Cranfield University
  • Christine McGourty, Chief Executive, Water UK
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Chief Executive, Bright Blue (Chair)

RSVP here.

H2 in the pipeline? The role of hydrogen for heat

Thursday 11 November 2021, 19:00 – 21:00 GMT
By invitation only

  • Chris Stark, Chief Executive, Committee on Climate Change
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Chief Executive, Bright Blue (Chair)

If you are interested in attending, please contact Joseph Silke.

November 10, 2021

Hype or hope? The future of hydrogen

By 2021 Events

As we race towards our net zero target, the Government has made it clear that it will take a technology agnostic approach towards decarbonisation. In this event, we discuss the role of hydrogen in delivering net zero 2050.

  • Are hydrogen solutions to decarbonisation viable at scale?
  • Should hydrogen solutions to climate change be reserved for hard-to-abate sectors, such as aviation?
  • How can the UK foster greater uptake of hydrogen heating in homes, and what are the challenges associated with this?
  • How can carbon capture and storage (CCS) be scaled up for large-scale production of blue hydrogen?

The key speakers are:

  • Peter Aldous MP, Officer, APPG Hydrogen
  • Professor Nilay Shah, Head of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London and Member, Hydrogen Advisory Council
  • Dan Sadler, Vice-President of Low Carbon Solutions, Equinor
  • Oonagh O’Grady, Head of Hydrogen Development, SSE Thermal
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Chief Executive, Bright Blue (Chair)

Date:

Tuesday 9 November 2021, 11:00 – 12:00

Location:

Online

RSVP:

This event is free and open to all on our YouTube channel here. You can RSVP for updates and reminders via Eventbrite here.

November 9, 2021

Ludgate Lectures with Dr Dambisa Moyo

By 2021 Events

You can watch the recording here.

Join us for our next Ludgate Lecture with the esteemed global economist and author, Dr Dambisa Moyo.

We are delighted to invite you to join our next event in our Ludgate Lectures series where we will hear from prominent thinkers and decision makers on the biggest issues of our time.

In our next event, we will host Dr Dambisa Moyo, the esteemed global economist and author. She will speak to the Chair of Bright Blue, Sarah Sands, about what makes a good company and will answer questions from attendees.

Date:

Monday 25th October 2021, 14:30 – 15:30

Location:

On our YouTube channel here.

RSVP:

This event is free and open to all, but you can register for updates and reminders via Eventbrite. Contact Joseph Silke at joseph@brightblue.org.uk if you have any queries.

October 25, 2021

Party Conferences 2021

By 2021 Events, Home, Party Conferences 2021, Press Releases

Conservative Party Conference 2021

View all party conference events

Bright Blue is delighted to announce our fringe event programme at the 2021 Conservative Party Conference. We are running 27 events with over 100 speakers.

You can join us in person in Manchester, or watch virtually. A Conservative Party Conference pass will be needed to access our events, in-person or digitally, inside the secure zone, which you can register for here. You do not need a pass to access events outside the secure zone; just turn up!

Livestreams of all of our events inside the secure zone will be available to watch via the Conservative Party Conference virtual platform. Events outside the secure zone will be available to watch via our YouTube channel. Recordings of all our events, both inside and outside the secure zone, will be available on our YouTube channel after the conference.

If you would like more information about our events at Conservative Party Conference 2021, please get in touch with our Communications Manager Joseph Silke.

In Conversation with Andrew Mitchell MP

Sunday 3rd October 2021, 10:30 – 12:00
Rochdale Suite, Jurys Inn, 56 Great Bridgewater St, Manchester M1 5LE
Outside the secure zone
You can watch the recording here.

  • The Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP, Former Secretary of State for International Development
  • Ayesha Hazarika MBE, Columnist, Evening Standard (Chair)

Local ties? Building better, happier workforces in key public services 

Sunday 3rd October 2021, 13:00 – 14:30
Rochdale Suite, Jurys Inn, 56 Great Bridgewater St, Manchester M1 5LE
Outside the secure zone
You can watch the recording here.

  • Shaun Bailey MP, Member, Work and Pensions Committee
  • Richard Holden MP, Member, Public Accounts Committee
  • David Skelton, Author of The New Snobbery
  • Dean Rogers, Director of Industrial Strategy, Society and College of Radiographers
  • Paul Whiteman, General Secretary, National Association of Head Teachers
  • Phoebe Arslanagić-Wakefield, Senior Researcher, Bright Blue (Chair)

Greener gas? The role of hydrogen in our net zero economy

Sunday 3rd October 2021, 13:00 – 14:30
Central 6, Manchester Central
Inside the secure zone
You can watch the recording here.

  • Alexander Stafford MP, Member, Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee
  • Dr Michaela Kendall, Chief Executive, Adelan
  • Amer Gaffar, Director, Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre
  • Richard Walsh, Head of External Affairs, Cadent
  • Alexandra Jezeph, Non-Executive Director, Bright Blue (Chair)

Levelling up work: employment rights in 2020s Britain 

Sunday 3rd October 2021, 15:30 – 17:00
Exchange 1, Manchester Central
Inside the secure zone
You can watch the recording here.

  • Paul Howell MP, Member, Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee (invited)
  • Katie Schmuecker, Deputy Director of Policy and Partnerships, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Chief Executive, Bright Blue
  • Martin McTague, Policy and Advocacy Chairman, Federation of Small Businesses
  • Frances O’Grady, General Secretary, Trades Union Congress
  • Charlotte Ivers, Political Correspondent, Times Radio (Chair)

Global Britain: doing good, doing green?

Sunday 3rd October 2021, 17:00 – 18:30
Rochdale Suite, Jurys Inn, 56 Great Bridgewater St, Manchester M1 5LE
Outside the secure zone
You can watch the recording here.

  • Tom Tugendhat MBE MP, Chair, Foreign Affairs Committee
  • Nus Ghani MP, Member, Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee
  • Cindy Yu, Broadcast Editor, The Spectator
  • Phoebe Arslanagić-Wakefield, Senior Researcher, Bright Blue (Chair)

A zero-sum game? Greening and heating homes affordably 

Sunday 3rd October 2021, 18:00 – 19:30
Exchange 8, Manchester Central
Inside the secure zone
You can watch the recording here.

  • The Rt Hon Lord Callanan, Minister for Business, Energy and Corporate Responsibility
  • Bim Afolami MP, Chair, All-Party Parliamentary Group for Renewable and Sustainable Energy
  • Josh Buckland, Former Energy and Environment Adviser, Number 10
  • Patrick Hall, Senior Research Fellow, Bright Blue
  • Gillian Cooper, Head of Energy Policy, Citizens Advice
  • Lewis Goodall, Policy Editor, BBC Newsnight (Chair)

Drink Tank 

Sunday 3rd October 2021, 20:30 – 22:00
The Trafford Room, The Midland Hotel
Inside the secure zone

  • The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
  • Timiko Cranwell, Director of Legal and Corporate Affairs, Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Chief Executive, Bright Blue (Chair)

Nature positive? Public attitudes towards the natural environment

Monday 4th October 2021, 08:00 – 09:30
Exchange 1, Manchester Central
Inside the secure zone
You can watch the recording here.

  • Rebecca Pow MP, Minister for the Environment
  • Stanley Johnson, International Ambassador, Conservative Environment Network
  • Cllr David Renard, Leader, Swindon Council
  • Patrick Hall, Senior Research Fellow, Bright Blue
  • Tom Butterworth, Technical Director for Biodiversity, WSP
  • Liz Bates, Political Correspondent, Channel 4 News (Chair)

Changing world of work: the future of work after COVID-19

Monday 4th October 2021, 10:30 – 12:00
Chadwick A, INNSiDE by Meliã, 1 First St, Manchester M15 4RP
Outside the secure zone
You can watch the recording here.

  • Jonathan Gullis MP, Vice-Chair, Apprenticeships APPG
  • Tina McKenzie, Deputy Chair, Federation of Small Businesses
  • Jimmy McLoughlin OBE, Former Business Adviser, Number 10
  • Paul Fleming, General Secretary, Equity
  • Mike Clancy, General Secretary, Prospect
  • Diane Banks, Non-Executive Director, Bright Blue (Chair)

A heated debate? Choice and fairness in the transition to net zero home heating

Monday 4th October 2021, 10:30 – 12:00
Exchange 1, Manchester Central
Inside the secure zone
You can watch the recording here.

  • Jerome Mayhew MP, Member, Environmental Audit Committee
  • Kelly Beaver, Managing Director of Public Affairs, Ipsos MORI
  • Emma Gatten,  Environment Editor, The Telegraph
  • Guy Newey, Strategy and Performance Director, Energy Systems Catapult
  • Andy Parker, Head of Strategy and Corporate Affairs, Calor Gas
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Chief Executive, Bright Blue (Chair)

Opportunity cost? The transition to net zero

Monday 4th October 2021, 13:00 – 14:30
Chadwick A, INNSiDE by Meliã, 1 First St, Manchester M15 4RP
Outside the secure zone
You can watch the recording here.

  • Gareth Davies MP, Member, Finance Committee
  • Stephen Bush, Political Editor, New Statesman 
  • Dr Doug Parr, Chief Scientist and Policy Director, Greenpeace UK
  • Simon Virley, UK Head of Energy and Natural Resources, KPMG
  • Alexandra Jezeph, Non-Executive Director, Bright Blue (Chair)

Leaving no one behind: the people’s voice in levelling up

Monday 4th October 2021, 15:30 – 17:00
Chadwick A, INNSiDE by Meliã, 1 First St, Manchester M15 4RP
Outside the secure zone
You can watch the recording here.

  • Christian Wakeford MP, Member, Education Committee
  • Toby Lloyd, Chair, No Place Left Behind Commission
  • Corrina Eastwood, Community Organiser, Thrive Teesside
  • Tracey Herrington, Project Manager, Thrive Teesside
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Chief Executive, Bright Blue
  • Kate Proctor, Political Editor, PoliticsHome (Chair)

Green grid, smart system? The UK’s low-carbon energy 

Monday 4th October 2021, 15:30 – 17:00
Exchange 8, Manchester Central
Inside the secure zone
You can watch the recording here.

  • Richard Graham MP, Member, National Security Strategy Committee
  • Peter Foster, Public Policy Editor, Financial Times
  • Dr Nina Skorupska CBE, Chief Executive, Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology
  • Siobhan Meikle, Managing Director – UK & Ireland, Eaton
  • Patrick Hall, Senior Research Fellow, Bright Blue (Chair)

Powering ahead: boosting EV uptake in the UK 

Monday 4th October 2021, 18:00 – 19:30
Chadwick A, INNSiDE by Meliã, 1 First St, Manchester M15 4RP
Outside the secure zone
You can watch the recording here.

  • Huw Merriman MP, Chair, Transport Committee
  • Nicholas Hellen, Transport Editor, The Sunday Times
  • Patrick Hall, Senior Research Fellow, Bright Blue
  • Gill Nowell, Head of EV, LV= General Insurance
  • Jim Pickard, Chief Political Correspondent, Financial Times (Chair)

Two-speed recovery? Improving financial resilience of low-income households

Monday 4th October 2021, 18:00 – 19:30
Exchange 8, Manchester Central
Inside the secure zone
You can watch the recording here.

  • John Glen MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury
  • Jessica Beard, Personal Finance Reporter, The Telegraph
  • Tim Pitt, Former Special Adviser, Chancellor of the Exchequer
  • Polly Mackenzie, Chief Executive, Demos
  • Richard Lane, Director of External Affairs, StepChange
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Chief Executive, Bright Blue (Chair)

Cleaner, green housing? Reducing waste and carbon from homes

Monday 4th October 2021, 20:00 – 22:00
By invitation only

  • The Rt Hon Lord Callanan, Minister for Business, Energy and Corporate Responsibility
  • Cllr James Jamieson, Chair, Local Government Association
  • Patricia Thornley, Director, Energy & Bioproducts Research Institute, Aston University
  • Emma Degg, Chief Executive, North West Business Leadership Team
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Chief Executive, Bright Blue (Chair)

A universal recovery? Making Universal Credit work in the post-COVID world

Tuesday 5th October 2021, 08:00 – 09:30
Exchanges 2 & 3 combined, Manchester Central
Inside the secure zone
You can watch the recording here.

  • Nigel Mills MP, Member, Work and Pensions Committee
  • Peter Aldous MP, Officer, Universal Credit APPG
  • Deven Ghelani, Director, Policy in Practice
  • Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive, Citizens Advice
  • Andy Brown, Chief Officer, Manchester Citizens Advice
  • Diane Banks, Non-Executive Director, Bright Blue (Chair)

Legal services and levelling up

Tuesday 5th October 2021, 08:30 – 10:00
By invitation only

  • The Rt Hon Lord Wolfson of Tredegar QC, Minister of Justice
  • Laura Farris MP, Member, Justice Committee
  • Alex McPherson, Founder, Ignition Law
  • Jane Malcolm, Executive Director, Solicitors Regulation Authority
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Chief Executive, Bright Blue (Chair)

Closing the loop? The future of UK recycling

Tuesday 5th October 2021, 10:30 – 12:00
Chadwick A, INNSiDE by Meliã, 1 First St, Manchester M15 4RP
Outside the secure zone
You can watch the recording here.

  • Jo Churchill MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
  • Paul Vanston, Chief Executive, Industry Council for Packaging & the Environment
  • Michael Shaver, Professor of Polymer Science, University of Manchester
  • Cllr Joe Porter, Cabinet Member for Climate Change & Biodiversity, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council
  • Phillip Fenton, Lead Packaging and Recycling Adviser, British Glass
  • Diane Banks, Non-Executive Director, Bright Blue (Chair)

Can anybody win the culture wars?

Tuesday 5th October 2021, 11:00 – 12:15
Private Room 19 & 20, The Edwardian Manchester (Radisson), Free Trade Hall, Peter St, Manchester M2 5GP
Outside the secure zone

  • Matt Warman MP, Former Minister for Digital Infrastructure
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Chief Executive, Bright Blue
  • Kelly Beaver, Managing Director of Public Affairs, Ipsos MORI
  • Sunder Katwala, Director, British Future
  • Bobby Duffy, Professor of Public Policy and Director of the Policy Institute, King’s College London (Chair)

Can the UK achieve net zero without nuclear?

Tuesday 5th October 2021, 13:00 – 14:30
Chadwick A, INNSiDE by Meliã, 1 First St, Manchester M15 4RP
Outside the secure zone
You can watch the recording here.

  • Trudy Harrison MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport
  • Julia Pyke, Sizewell C Director of Financing, EDF Energy
  • Rachel Morison, Reporter, Bloomberg News
  • Robin Grimes, Professor of Materials Physics, Imperial College London
  • Sue Ferns, Senior Deputy General Secretary, Prospect
  • Patrick Hall, Senior Research Fellow, Bright Blue (Chair)

Fairer foundations? Reforming the UK’s property taxes

Tuesday 5th October 2021, 13:00 – 14:30
Exchange 8, Manchester Central
Inside the secure zone
You can watch the recording here.

  • Aaron Bell MP, Member, Northern Research Group
  • The Rt Hon Lord Willetts, President, Resolution Foundation
  • Anya Martin, Director, PricedOut
  • Carol Lewis, Deputy Property Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times
  • Andrew Dixon, Founder, Fairer Share
  • Phoebe Arslanagić-Wakefield, Senior Researcher, Bright Blue (Chair)

Cleaner and greener households? Reducing and reusing waste

Tuesday 5th October 2021, 15:30 – 17:00
Exchange 8, Manchester Central
Inside the secure zone
You can watch the recording here.

  • Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader, Wiltshire Council
  • Natasha Clark, Political Correspondent, The Sun
  • Tim Lord, Senior Fellow for Net Zero, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
  • Tim Rotheray, Director of Innovation and Regulation, Viridor
  • Patrick Hall, Senior Research Fellow, Bright Blue (Chair)

Food for thought? The role of Government and business in tackling food insecurity amongst children

Tuesday 5th October 2021, 15:30 – 17:00
Chadwick A, INNSiDE by Meliã, 1 First St, Manchester M15 4RP
Outside the secure zone
You can watch the recording here.

  • Danny Kruger MP, Parliamentary Private Secretary to the
    Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
  • Anne Longfield OBE, Former Children’s Commissioner for England
  • Francis Humble, Youth Campaigner, Magic Breakfast
  • Emily Wilkie, Head Of Fundraising, Magic Breakfast
  • Sarah Sands, Chair, Bright Blue (Chair)

Putting the wind in Britain’s sails? Driving the future of UK wind energy

Tuesday 5th October 2021, 17:30 – 19:00
Chadwick A, INNSiDE by Meliã, 1 First St, Manchester M15 4RP
Outside the secure zone
You can watch the recording here.

  • Ben Houchen, Mayor of the Tees Valley
  • Emma Pinchbeck, Chief Executive, Energy UK
  • Andrew Jamieson, Chief Executive, Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult
  • Pavel Miller, Head of Corporate Affairs, SSE Renewables
  • Tom Glover, UK Country Chair, RWE
  • Sarah Sands, Chair, Bright Blue (Chair)

Renewing the lease: what’s next for private renting?

Tuesday 5th October 2021, 18:00 – 19:30
Central 7, Manchester Central
Inside the secure zone
You can watch the recording here.

  • Cllr David Renard, Leader, Swindon Council
  • Victoria Spratt, Housing Correspondent, i
  • Anthony Breach, Senior Analyst, Centre for Cities
  • The Rt Hon Baroness Kennedy of Cradley, Director, Generation Rent
  • Alexandra Jezeph, Non-Executive Director, Bright Blue (Chair)

Labour Conference 2021

View all party conference events

You can also join Bright Blue at Labour Party Conference this year. As this event will be held outside the secure zone, you do not need a conference pass to attend. No need to RSVP; all are welcome to just turn up!

Finding common ground in the culture wars

Tuesday 28th September 2021, 11:00 – 12:00
The Old Ship Hotel, Kings Rd, Brighton BN1 1NR (outside the secure zone)
  • Holly Lynch MP, Shadow Minister for Crime Reduction and Courts
  • Ayesha Hazarika MBE, Columnist, Evening Standard
  • Ben Page, Chief Executive, Ipsos MORI
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Chief Executive, Bright Blue
  • Professor Bobby Duffy, Director, The Policy Institute at King’s College London (Chair)
October 3, 2021

Finding common ground in the culture wars

By 2021 Events

Join Bright Blue, the Policy Institute and Ipsos MORI at Labour Party Conference 2021.

Recent years have seen a huge surge in media discussion of “culture wars” in the UK – but despite this, the public have only a limited understanding of the debate, as shown in research by the Policy Institute at King’s College London and Ipsos MORI. In the 90s, the term was mainly associated with issues of party politics, but now it’s a magnet for a wide range of divisive issues: from views on lockdown and the removal of statues, to singing Rule Britannia! and trans rights, any controversial topic can quickly be dubbed a new “fault line” in the culture wars.

But who’s actually waging these battles? And even if the public aren’t particularly engaged in them, can we relax? Or do we need to guard against ending up with US-style divisions? Join the Policy Institute, Ipsos MORI and Bright Blue as they discuss if we should be trying to win a culture war, or whether we can just call it off.

The key speakers are:

  • Holly Lynch MP, Shadow Minister for Crime Reduction and Courts
  • Ayesha Hazarika MBE, Columnist, Evening Standard
  • Ben Page, Chief Executive, Ipsos MORI
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Chief Executive, Bright Blue
  • Professor Bobby Duffy, Director, The Policy Institute at King’s College London (Chair)

Date: Tuesday 28 September 2021, 11:00 – 12:00

Location: The Old Ship Hotel, Kings Rd, Brighton BN1 1NR (outside the secure zone)

September 28, 2021

Bright Blue TV: The big issue?

By 2021 Events

You do not need a ticket. To watch the livestream, simply click here at 12:00pm on Friday. 

Join Bright Blue on Friday afternoon for the next episode of Bright Blue TV on the theme: The big issue?

The Covid-19 pandemic has renewed the focus of government and health officials on the broader health of the nation, particularly the prevelance of obesity. Obesity has been associated with an increased risk of severe illness and death with Covid-19, and the Prime Minister blamed himself for being “too fat” when he was forced to enter intensive care with the virus last year. Obesity is also linked to an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, strokes and some cancers. The Government has set out a new strategy to tackle obesity, such as by introducing a watershed on advertising unhealthy foods, changing labelling on food and drink, and publishing calories on menus. These new measures have been broadly welcomed by health authorities, but critics have argued that what we choose to eat or drink is no business of government. There are also concerns about the rise in eating disorders and mental health conditions, especially among young people, that might be exacerbated by well-meaning measures to combat obesity. Is the Government right to do more to tackle this big issue, or does intervention intrude too much into the personal lives of citizens, or even risk causing unintended harm?

This episode of Bright Blue TV is hosted by Senior Researcher of Bright Blue, Phoebe Arslanagić-Wakefield. In this episode, she will be joined by the Head of Lifestyle Economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs, Christopher Snowdon, the Head of Campaigns at Parliament Street and Chair of MaleVoicED, Danny Bowman, and the co-founder of 50:50 Parliament and final year PhD student at the MRC Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge, Dolly Theis.

You do not need a ticket. To watch the livestream, simply click here at 12:00pm on Friday. Submit questions before or during the event via Slido here.

September 24, 2021

Drink Tank with Nickie Aiken MP

By 2021 Events

Our Drink Tanks are a chance to meet, network, chat, have a beer and share ideas. For our September Drink Tank we welcome Nickie Aiken MP.

Bright Blue’s Drink Tanks are a chance to meet, network, chat, have a beer, and share ideas.

For our September Drink Tank, we welcome Nickie Aiken MP, who will be speaking about whether the Conservative Party needs to rebuild the ‘Blue Wall’.

Aiken has been the Member of Parliament for Cities of London and Westminster since 2019. In 2020, she was promoted to the position of Vice Chair of the Conservative Party for Women and Affiliate Groups.

She has also held various positions in Westminster City Council, including the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Public Protection & Licensing, and ultimately Leader of Westminster City Council from 2017 to 2020.

Date:

Wednesday 22nd September, 19:00 – 20:15

Location:

The Morpeth Arms, 58 Millbank, London, SW1P 4RW

RSVP:

This event is free and open to all, but please register through Eventbrite here.

September 22, 2021

Global green giant? UK leadership on biodiversity loss and climate change

By 2021 Events

You can read Lord Goldsmith’s keynote speech here.

This full-day conference from Bright Blue, entitled Global green giant? UK leadership on biodiversity loss and climate change, is an opportunity to discuss, showcase and propose pioneering solutions to combating the interrelated global crises of biodiversity loss and climate change ahead of the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference COP26 in the UK later in the year.

Following our recent publications, Nature positive? and Global green giant?, we want to bring together people from across the private, public and third sectors to talk about both effective and popular ideas to better protect the natural environment, here and abroad.

The conference will feature a keynote speech from The Rt Hon Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park, Minister for Pacific and the Environment, as well as a series of other panel sessions with leading decision makers and opinion formers. There will be ample opportunities for delegates to network between event sessions and throughout lunch.

Agenda:

 

08:30 – 09:00 Registration

09:00 – 09:05 Welcome from Ryan Shorthouse, Chief Executive, Bright Blue

09:05 – 09:30 Keynote speech with Q&A by The Rt Hon Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park

09:30 – 10:00 Q&A session led by Andrew Barnett, Director, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation – UK Branch

10:00 – 10:30 Networking coffee break

10:30 – 11:45 Panel discussion: Nature-based solutions for the UK and the world

  • Mark Rose, Chief Executive Officer, Flora and Fauna International
  • Edward Davey, Co-Director, WRI UK
  • James Cullimore, Nature Programmes Manager, Conservative Environment Network
  • Robert Spencer, Director of Sustainable Development, AECOM
  • Phoebe Arslanagic-Wakefield, Senior Researcher, Bright Blue (Chair)

In partnership with:

11:45 – 12:15 Networking coffee break

12:15 – 13:30 Panel discussion: Critical carbon sinks? Protecting our marine environment

  • Sir Oliver Heald MP, Former Solicitor General
  • Dale Rodmell, Assistant Chief Executive, National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations
  • Clare Brook, CEO, Blue Marine Foundation
  • Professor Pierre Failler, Professor of Economics and Director of the Centre for Blue Governance, University of Portsmouth
  • Karen McVeigh, Global Development Reporter, The Guardian
  • Patrick Hall, Senior Research Fellow, Bright Blue (Chair)

13:30 – 14:45 Lunch break

14:45 – 16:00 Panel discussion: A greener, more pleasant land: Agriculture and land management

  • Bill Wiggin MP, Former Shadow Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
  • Stuart Roberts, Deputy President, National Farmers Union
  • Jo Gilbert, Interim Executive Director for Global Conservation, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
  • Dan Collison, Chief Executive, Farm Africa
  • Fiona Harvey, Environment Correspondent, The Guardian
  • Sarah Sands, Chair, Bright Blue (Chair)

16:00 Conference concludes

More speakers to be announced

Date:

Tuesday 21st September 2021, 08:30 – 16:00

Location:

The British Academy, 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, St. James’s, London SW1Y 5AH

RSVP:

This event is free and open to all, but pre-registration through Eventbrite is required. Please RSVP here.

If you have any questions about the event please contact Weronika Patyk, our Events and Operations Manager, weronika@brightblue.org.uk.

 

In partnership with:

September 21, 2021
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