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Members’ meet-up with Baroness Nicky Morgan

By 2024 Events

Our next members’ meet-up will be with Baroness Nicky Morgan on Monday 29th January 2024, discussing ‘Why the One Nation voice matters in the Conservative Party’.

Nicky was elected Conservative MP for Loughborough in 2010, representing the constituency until late 2019 before becoming a member of the House of Lords in January 2020. She was Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport from 24 July 2019 to 13 February 2020, and served as Education Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities from July 2014 to July 2016.

Date:

Monday 29th January 2024, 18:30-20:00 PM

Location:

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

RSVP:

This event is for members only. RSVP to emily@brightblue.org.uk.

If you are not a Bright Blue member, but would like to attend, you can become a member here. Alternatively, we ask for a minimum donation of £5 per event for non-members to attend private members’ meet ups

January 29, 2024

Ludgate Lectures with James Wise

By 2024 Events

We are delighted to invite you to join our next Ludgate Lecture, a series where we hear from prominent thinkers and decision-makers on the biggest issues of our time.

For this event, we will be hosting James Wise, venture capitalist, Partner at Balderton Capital and member of the UK Government’s Industrial Development Advisory Board.

James will speak to the Executive Chair of Bright Blue, Ryan Shorthouse, about ‘An entrepreneur’s manifesto: how the way we work is changing and why policy must too’.

Date:

Friday 26th January 2024, 14:00 – 15:00

RSVP:

This event is free and open to all on our YouTube channel.

RSVP to emily@brightblue.org.uk for a reminder and all event notifications.

Q&A:

Attendees can submit questions, before or during the event, via Slido by using the code: #LudgateLectures.

January 26, 2024

Mind your business? Expanding democratic business in the UK

By 2024 Events
Join Bright Blue for the launch event of our new major report, ‘Mind your business? Expanding democratic business in the UK,’ examining policies across the US and Europe to incentivise democratic business.

Democratic businesses come in all shapes and sizes: from local community groups to nationwide employee-owned retailers, from football clubs to housing developers. The centre-right should take notice. The property-owning democracy – the dream of many on the centre-right – comes into its own through democratic businesses. They are often grounded in their local community, exemplifying levelling up at the most micro level. They are the middle ground between the ruthless individualism of right-wing laissez-faire libertarianism and the centrally-mandated collectivism of left-wing economic policy. And, although, in many respects, democratic businesses are doing very well, much can still be done to improve their situation and protect them from the problems they face.

Bright Blue’s new report seeks to do just that. It examines the nature and looks at the history of democratic businesses before discussing their many benefits and some of the barriers they face, as well as the policies – both in the UK and internationally – that have influenced them in the last few decades. It concludes by offering new and realistic policies designed to promote democratic business in the UK.

Speakers: 
  • Kevin Hollinrake MP, Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business.
  • Jerome Mayhew MP, Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
  • Graeme Nuttall OBE, Author, 2013 government review of employee ownership.
  • Chris Earnshaw, President, John Lewis Partnership Council.
  • James de le Vingne, CEO, Employee Ownership Association.
  • Bartek Staniszewski, Senior Researcher, Bright Blue, and author of the report.
  • Melissa Lawford, Economics Reporter, The Telegraph (Chair).
 Date:

Wednesday 17th January 2024, 18:30-20:00.

Location:

Thatcher Room, Portcullis House, Houses of Parliament, 1 Victoria Embankment, London SW1A 2JR

RSVP:

This event is free and open to all. Please RSVP here.

If you have any questions about the event please contact Emily Taylor, our Communications Officer, emily@brightblue.org.uk.

In partnership with:

January 17, 2024

‘A new vision for post-16 education’ with the Rt Hon Gillian Keegan MP

By 2024 Events

You can watch a recording of this event on our YouTube, here.

Bright Blue is hosting a keynote event with the Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Gillian Keegan MP, for her to discuss ‘A new vision for post-16 education’.

The event will be a Q&A, initiated and then moderated by our Executive Chair, Ryan Shorthouse.

Date and Time

Monday 15th January 2024, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Location

Multiverse, 2 Eastbourne Terrace, Paddington, London, W2 6LG

Refreshments

Drinks and food will be offered during and after the event.

RSVP

RSVP to emily@brightblue.org.uk.

 

In partnership with

January 15, 2024

Ludgate Lectures with Alan Manning

By 2023 Events

We are delighted to invite you to join our next Ludgate Lecture, a series where we hear from prominent thinkers and decision-makers on the biggest issues of our time.

For this event, we will be hosting Alan Manning, Professor of Economics at the London School of Economics and former Chair of the Migration Advisory Committee (2016-2020).

Matthew will speak to the Executive Chair of Bright Blue, Ryan Shorthouse, about how the UK Government should go about ‘reducing immigration responsibly’.

Date:

Monday 18th December 2023, 15:00 – 16:00

RSVP:

This event is free and open to all on our YouTube channel here.

RSVP to emily@brightblue.org.uk for a reminder and all event notifications.

Q&A:

Attendees can submit questions, before or during the event, via Slido here or by using the code: #LudgateLectures.

December 18, 2023

Regional Drink Tank with Andrew RT Davies MS

By 2023 Events

For our next Regional Drink Tank in Cardiff, we welcome Andrew RT Davies MS.

He will be talking about ‘The future of Welsh conservatism’.

Andrew is the Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd. He has also been a Member of the Senedd for South Wales Central since 2007.

Date:

Wednesday 6th December 2023, 18:30 – 20:00.

The event:

Guests will be invited to join us from 18:30 onwards. Andrew will begin speaking at 19:00 before taking questions from the audience. Attendees will then be invited to stay longer and socialise if they wish.

Location:

The event will be held in Cardiff. Attendees will be sent the exact location closer to the time.

RSVP:

This event is free and open to all, but you need to sign up via Eventbrite here.

December 6, 2023

Ludgate Lectures with Matthew Goodwin

By 2023 Events, Events, Uncategorized

We are delighted to invite you to join our next Ludgate Lecture, a series where we hear from prominent thinkers and decision-makers on the biggest issues of our time.

For this event, we will be hosting Matthew Goodwin, Professor of Political Science at the University of Kent.

Matthew recently served as Senior Fellow at the Legatum Institute and Senior Advisor to the UK Education Select Committee. Last year, he was appointed as a Social Mobility Commissioner. The author of six books, Matthew recently wrote the bestseller Values, Voice and Virtue: The New British Politics. Additionally, he shares his views on his Substack, writing fortnightly newsletters and discussions with leading experts, thinkers, and writers – subscribe here.

Matthew will speak to the Executive Chair of Bright Blue, Ryan Shorthouse, about ‘The impact of the New Elite’.

Date:

Thursday 16th November 2023, 15:00 – 16:00

RSVP:

This event is free and open to all on our YouTube channel here.

RSVP to liam@brightblue.org.uk for a reminder and all event notifications.

Q&A:

Attendees can submit questions, before or during the event, via Slido here or by using the code: #LudgateLectures.

November 16, 2023

A Steely Solution? Unlocking Clean Steel In The UK

By 2023 Events

Bright Blue’s next public panel event is in partnership with Liberty Steel, titled ‘A steely solution? Unlocking clean steel in the UK.’

This event follows the release of our recent report, A carbonless crucible? Forging a UK steel industry, which outlined the pathways, challenges and policies to develop a commercial market for clean steel in this country.

Speakers

  • The Rt Hon Sir Robert Buckland MP, Former Secretary of State for Wales
  • Stephen Kinnock MP, Shadow Immigration Minister and MP for Aberavon
  • Roz Bulleid, Research Director, Green Alliance
  • Sandip Biswas, Chief Investment Officer, Liberty Steel Group
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Executive Chair, Bright Blue (Chair)

More speakers to be announced

Key questions 

  • What are the viable processes and technologies to support the development of clean steel?
  • How effective are existing policies at decarbonising the UK steel industry?
  • What are the key challenges for building a clean steel market in the UK?
  • How can policy enable the transition to clean steel in the UK by the mid-2030s?

Date and time

Wednesday 18th October, 18:30 – 20:30

Location

The event will be held in the House of Commons in Westminster. Confirmed attendees will be sent the location closer to the event.

RSVP

This event is free and open to all, but please RSVP to liam@brightblue.org.uk asap.

November 7, 2023

Party Conferences 2023

By 2023 Events, Party Conferences 2023

Conservative Party Conference 2023

View all party conference events

Bright Blue is delighted to announce our fringe event programme at the 2023 Conservative Party Conference. We are running 18 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. 

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

If you would like more information about our events at Conservative Party Conference 2023, please get in touch with our Event and Operations Manager, Liam Bruce.

Daylight robbery? Tackling economic crime in the UK

Sunday 1st October 2023, 15:00 – 16:00
Central Room 6, MCCC, Manchester
Inside the secure zone

You can watch the recording here.

  • The Rt Hon Tom Tugendhat MP, Minister for Security
  • John Penrose MP, Former UK PM’s Anti-Corruption Champion
  • Lucy Nash, Bureau of Investigative Journalism
  • Daniel Bruce, Chief Executive, Transparency International
  • Diane Banks, Non-Executive Director, Bright Blue (Chair)

Lift off: accelerating levelling up in the 2020s

Sunday 1st October 2023, 17:00 – 18:00
Central Room 6, MCCC, Manchester
Inside the secure zone

You can watch the recording here.

  • Dehenna Davison MP, Former Minister for Levelling Up
  • Jo Gideon MP, Vice-Chair, APPG for ‘Left Behind’ Neighbourhoods
  • Chris Smyth, Whitehall Editor, The Times
  • Cllr James Jamieson, Leader of the LGA Conservative Group
  • Tom Pope, Deputy Chief Economist, Institute for Government
  • Ailbhe McNabola, Director of Policy and Communications, Power to Change
  • Zoe Billingham, Director, IPPR North
  • Alexandra Jezeph, Non-Executive Director, Bright Blue (Chair)

Reaching out, levelling up? How Conservatives can foster social cohesion

Sunday 1st October 2023, 19:00 – 20:00
Central Room 6, MCCC, Manchester
Inside the secure zone

You can watch the recording here.

  • Stuart Andrew MP, Minister for Civil Society (invited)
  • Samuel Kasumu, Former Special Adviser to No.10 for Local Communities
  • Tim Montgomerie, Founder, ConservativeHome
  • David Goodhart, Author, The Road to Somewhere
  • Luke Tryl, Director, More in Common UK
  • Jon Knight, Chief Executive, Together Coalition
  • Max Anderson, Associate Fellow, Bright Blue (Chair)

Drink Tank: The future of the UK in Europe

Sunday 1st October 2023, 20:30 – 22:30
Stanley Suite, Midland
Inside the secure zone

  • Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands
  • The Rt Hon David Gauke, Former Secretary of State for Justice
  • Anand Menon, Director, UK in a Changing Europe
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Executive Chair, Bright Blue (Chair)

Criminally deprived? How the cost of living is affecting youth crime 

Monday 2nd October 2023, 10:00 – 11:00
Central Room 6, MCCC, Manchester
Inside the secure zone

  • James Daly MP, Member, House of Commons Justice Committee,
  • Susan Hall AM, Conservative Mayoral Candidate for London
  • Jon Yates, Chief Executive, Youth Endowment Fund
  • Pavan Dhaliwal, Chief Executive, Revolving Doors
  • Diane Banks, Non-Executive Director, Bright Blue (Chair)

Restoring trust and confidence between businesses and consumers in essential markets

Monday 2nd October 2023, 12:00 – 13:00
Central Room 6, MCCC, Manchester
Inside the secure zone

You can watch the recording here.

  • Dr Luke Evans MP, PPS to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
  • Melissa Lawford, Economics Correspondent, The Times
  • Laura Sandys OBE, Former Chair, UK Government’s Energy Digitalisation Taskforce
  • Daisy Powell-Chandler, Head of Energy and Environment Practice, Public First
  • Guy Newey, Chief Executive, Energy Systems Catapult
  • Ed Dodman, Chief Ombudsman, Energy Ombudsman
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Executive Chair, Bright Blue (Chair)

Innovation and inclusivity? The changing world of work

Monday 2nd October 2023, 13:30 – 15:00
By invitation only. If you would like to attend, please email liam@brightblue.org.uk

  • George Freeman MP, Minister for Science, Research and Innovation (invited)
  • The Rt Hon Chloe Smith MP, Former Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
  • Anna Thomas, Chief Executive, Institue for the Future of Work
  • Anna Bradley, Chair, SRA
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Executive Chair, Bright Blue (Chair)

Energy secured? The UK’s energy market on the road to net zero

Monday 2nd October 2023, 14:00 – 15:00
Central Room 6, MCCC, Manchester
Inside the secure zone

You can watch the recording here.

  • Andrew Bowie MP, Minister for Nuclear and Networks
  • Sam Richards, Director, Britain Remade
  • Emma Pinchbeck, Chief Executive, Energy UK
  • Nick Molho, Head of Climate Policy, Aviva Investors
  • Patrick English, Associate Director, YouGov
  • Simon Virley, Head of Energy and Natural Resources, KPMG
  • Alexandra Jezeph, Non-Executive Director, Bright Blue (Chair)

Going private: reforming England’s rental market

Monday 2nd October 2023, 16:00 – 17:00
Central Room 6, MCCC, Manchester
Inside the secure zone

You can watch the recording here.

  • Rachel Maclean MP, Minister for Housing
  • David Simmonds CBE MP, Chair, APPG on Housing and Planning
  • Liam Halligan, Economics and Business Editor, GB News
  • Zoe Grunewald, Policy and Politics reporter, New Statesman
  • Ben Beadle, Chief Executive, NRLA
  • Alexandra Jezeph, Non-Executive Director, Bright Blue (Chair)

Flexibility first? Boosting labour market participation

Monday 2nd October 2023, 18:00 – 19:00
Central Room 6, MCCC, Manchester
Inside the secure zone

You can watch the recording here.

  • Matt Warman MP, Chair, Future of Work APPG
  • Helen Bradbury, Chief People Officer, E.ON
  • Neil Carberry, Chief Executive, Recruitment and Employment Confederation
  • Claire McCartney, Senior Policy Adviser, The Charted Institute of Personal and Development
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Executive Chair, Bright Blue (Chair)

The rural road to net-zero: decarbonising rural homes and businesses

Monday 2nd October 2023, 21:00 – 23:00
By invitation only. If you would like to attend, please email liam@brightblue.org.uk

  • Rebecca Pow MP, Minister for Environmental Quality and Resilience
  • Roger Mortlock, CEO, CPRE
  • Mark Tufnell, President, CLA
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Executive Chair, Bright Blue (Chair)

Building, maintaining and restoring consumer trust in the energy market

Tuesday 3rd October 2023, 08:00 – 09:00
By invitation only. If you would like to attend, please email liam@brightblue.org.uk

  • The Rt Hon Vicky Ford MP, Member, Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee
  • The Rt Hon Charles Hendry, Former Minister for Energy
  • Matt Vickers, Chief Executive, Trust Alliance Group
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Executive Chair, Bright Blue (Chair)

Shifting gears? The future of automated vehicles

Tuesday 3rd October 2023, 10:00 – 11:00
Exchange 2 – 3, MCCC, Manchester
Inside the secure zone

You can watch the recording here.

  • Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP, Former Secretary of State of Transport
  • Ben Everitt MP, Member, Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Select Committee
  • Nicholas Hellen, Transport Editor, Sunday Times
  • Laura Shoaf CBE, Chief Executive, West Midlands Combined Authority
  • Professor John McDermid, Professor of Software Engineering, University of York
  • Alexandra Hammond-Chambers-Borgnis, Director of Underwriting for Retail, Allianz Personal
  • Will Prescott, Researcher, Bright Blue (Chair)

Safer Surfing: Reducing cyber crime

Tuesday 3rd October 2023, 10:30 – 11:30
Churchill Theatre, Midland Hotel
Inside the secure zone

  • The Rt Hon Lord Vaizey, Former Minister for Culture and the Digital Economy
  • Damian Collins MP, Former Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy
  • Markos Zachariadis, Chair of Financial Technology, University of Manchester
  • Julia Linehan, CEO, Digital Voice
  • Alistair Law, Policy Director, Sky
  • Ian Moss, Partner, Draft Council
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Executive Chair, Bright Blue (Chair)

Building up? How housing can bolster British prosperity

Tuesday 3rd October 2023, 12:00 – 13:00
Exchange 2 – 3, MCCC, Manchester
Inside the secure zone

You can watch the recording here.

  • Ben Everitt MP, Chair, Housing Market and Housing Delivery APPG
  • Cllr Jane MacBean, Advisory Board Member, Conservative Environment Network
  • Nicholas Boys Smith, Founding Director, Create Streets
  • Bartek Staniszewski, Senior Researcher, Bright Blue
  • Geeta Nanda OBE, Chief Executive, Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing
  • Paul Fiddaman, Chief Executive, Karbon Homes
  • Kate Henderson, Chief Executive, National Housing Federation
  • Vicky Spratt, Housing Editor, i Paper (Chair)

Spending, saving, surviving: A conservative plan to support under-pressure households

Tuesday 3rd October 2023, 14:00 – 15:00
Exchange 2 – 3, MCCC, Manchester
Inside the secure zone

You can watch the recording here.

  • The Rt Hon John Glen MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury
  • Deven Ghelani, Director, Policy in Practice
  • Sacha Romanovitch, CEO, Fair4AllFinance
  • Richard Lane, Director of External Affairs, StepChange
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Executive Chair, Bright Blue (Chair)

Can fossil fuel companies play a role in the energy transition?

Tuesday 3rd October 2023, 16:00 – 17:00
Exchange 2 – 3, MCCC, Manchester
Inside the secure zone

You can watch the recording here.

  • Jerome Mayhew MP, Vice-Chair, APPG for Environment
  • Peter Aldous MP, Chair, APPG for British Offshore Oil and Gas Industry
  • Sam Hall, Director, Conservative Environment Network
  • Andrew Kulpecz, General Manager of UK Upstream, Chevron Britain Ltd
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Executive Chair, Bright Blue (Chair)

Family-friendly Britain? Removing barriers to help families get on

Tuesday 3rd October 2023, 18:00 – 19:00
Exchange 2 – 3, MCCC, Manchester
Inside the secure zone

You can watch the recording here.

  • Laura Farris MP, Chair, Access to Justice APPG
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Executive Chair, Bright Blue
  • Luke Robert Black, Chairman, LGBT+ Conservatives
  • Phoebe Arslanagic-Wakefield, Co-Founder and Director, BOOM
  • Dan Paskins, Director of UK Impact, Save the Children UK
  • Victoria Benson, CEO, Gingerbread
  • Kiran Stacey, Political Correspondent, The Guardian (Chair)

Labour Party Conference 2023

View all party conference events

Bright Blue is delighted to announce our fringe event programme at the 2023 Labour Party Conference.

You can join us in-person in Liverpool. No RSVP is required and all our events will be taking place outside the secure zone. Therefore, you will not need a conference pass to attend.

If you would like more information about our events at Labour Party Conference 2023, please contact our Events and Operations Manager Liam Bruce.

Can fossil fuel companies play a role in the energy transition?

Monday 9th October, 10:30am – 11:30am
Rooms 1&2, Premier Inn Liverpool Albert Dock
(Outside the secure zone)

  • The Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Climate Change and Net Zero (invited)
  • Andy Prendergast, National Secretary, GMB Union
  • Steph Spyro, Environment Editor and Political Correspondent, The Daily Express
  • David Whitehouse, CEO, Offshore Energies UK
  • Andrew Kulpecz, General Manager of UK Upstream, Chevron Corporation
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Executive Chair, Bright Blue (Chair)

Rebooting levelling up for the next general election

Tuesday 10th October, 10:00am – 11:30am
IPPR Fringe Zone, Education Area 3, Museum of Liverpool
(Outside the secure zone)

  • Paula Barker MP, Shadow Minister for Devolution and the English Regions
  • Steve Rotherham, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region
  • Jen Williams, Northern Correspondent, Finacial Times
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Executive Chair, Bright Blue
  • Ailbhe McNabola, Director of Policy and Communications, Power to Change
  • Zoë Billingham, Director, IPPR North (Chair)

Liberal Democrat Party Conference 2023

View all party conference events

Bright Blue is delighted to announce our fringe event programme at the 2023 Liberal Democrat Party Conference.

You can join us in-person in Bournemouth. As all our events will be held outside the secure zone, you won’t need a conference pass to attend. No need to RSVP; all are welcome to just turn up!

If you would like more information about our events at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference 2023, please contact our Events and Operations Manager Liam Bruce.

Can fossil fuel companies play a role in the energy transition?

Monday 25th September, 18:15pm – 19:15pm
Sandbanks Room, Highcliff Marriot Hotel
(Outside the secure zone)

  • Lord Teverson, Liberal Democrats Spokesperson on Climate Change
  • Duncan Brack, Former Special Adviser to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change
  • Jenny Stanning, External Relations Director, Offshore Energies UK
  • Emily Gosden, Energy Editor, The Times (invited)
  • Andrew Kulpecz, General Manager of UK Upstream, Chevron Corporation
  • Ryan Shorthouse, Executive Chair, Bright Blue (Chair)
September 11, 2023

Drink Tank with Chloe Smith MP

By 2023 Events

For our next Drink Tank we welcome the Rt Hon Chloe Smith MP.

Fresh from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Chloe will discuss the race to regulate artificial intelligence ahead of Rishi Sunak’s global AI summit later this year.

Chloe Smith MP is the former Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology and former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. She has also been the Member of Parliament for North Norwich since 2009.

Date:

Wednesday 13th September 2023, 18:30 – 20:00.

The event:

Guests will be invited to join us from 18:30 onwards. Chloe will begin speaking at 19:00 before taking questions from the audience. Attendees will then be invited to stay longer and socialise if they wish.

Location:

The event will be held in a Central Westminster Location. Attendees will be sent the exact location closer to the time.

RSVP:

This event is free and open to all, but you need to sign up via Eventbrite here.

August 23, 2023
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