05/10/2026
Hyatt Regency Birmingham : Soprano
Should ministers have more power over public bodies?
The Rt Hon Victoria Atkins MP (Member of Parliament, Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Invited))
The Rt. Hon Lord Francis Maude (The Conservative Party, former Minister for the Cabinet Office)
Henry Hill (The Critic, Editor)
Many politicians have expressed frustration that, when in power, there are no levers available for them to direct to the work of public bodies to help deliver their priorities. But what levers do ministers already have and do they know what they can deliver? What more could be done to support ministers responsible for public bodies? And should the arm of control, from ministers to public bodies, just be shortened to avoid frustrations?
Birmingham ICC : Executive Room 9
A smarter state: can AI improve public services?
The Rt. Hon Lord Francis Maude (The Conservative Party, former Minister for the Cabinet Office (Invited))
Lauren Crowley (The FDA, Assistant General Secretary)
Hacer Evans (Accenture UKI, Managing Director Health & Public Service (Invited))
Ryan Shorthouse (Bright Blue, Executive Chair (Invited))
James Wise (Sovereign AI Unit, Chair)
From Sunak's Frontier AI Taskforce to Burnham's Digital Devolution, governments recognise AI’s role in reforming public services. What can we learn from previous waves of Whitehall transformation, and how can a Conservative Party committed to efficiency balance innovation, trust and accountability in delivering public services? This panel will examine the opportunities and challenges of the AI revolution, and how to overcome barriers to adoption.
