Conservative Party Conference 2021

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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)