05/10/2026
Birmingham ICC : Executive Room 9
Liberty in the digital age: balancing security and privacy
Conservatives have long stood for individual rights against an overreaching state. Following the rollout of Live Facial Recognition, attack on encryption, and expanding use of digital IDs, this invite-only roundtable explores whether the Labour Government are going too far in eroding personal privacy for public security. We will discuss how the centre-right can protect the individual from state power. Contact [email protected] to attend.

Birmingham ICC : Executive Room 9
Small state, big charities? The role of civil society in representing and supporting the vulnerable
Patrick Spencer MP (The Conservative Party, Member of Parliament for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Akiko Hart (Liberty, Director)
Nick Cook (People's Postcode Lottery, Head of UK Public Affairs )
Chaired by Ryan Shorthouse (Bright Blue, Executive Chair)
This panel event will explore the right relationship between government and charities, especially with fears that charities have become too left-wing and too reliant on state funding. But since charities can provide effective local services, it is essential that they have diversified and stable funding. We will examine the proper role and funding for the civic sector in the UK.


Birmingham ICC : Executive Room 9
The future of welfare: what does the public want?
Baroness Amanda Spielman (House of Lords, Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions) and former HM Chief inspector of Education)
Ryan Shorthouse (Bright Blue, Executive Chair)
Dr Stephen Brien (Social Security Advisory Committee , Chair (Invited))
Helen Barnard (Trussell , Director of Policy and Research)
Alex Scholes (Attitudinal Surveys and NatCen Opinion Panel, Research Director)
Tali Fraser (The Spectator, Commissioning Editor (Invited))
Economic inactivity has risen sharply since the pandemic. The cost of the state pension is set to rise significantly with public debt to reach eye-watering levels. What do the public think about the purpose, sustainability and fairness of the welfare system? Drawing on new analysis from the BSA survey, this panel explores the features of a centre-right approach to welfare reform that could win back voters, reduce expenditure and grow the economy.


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.

