Campaign events

What’s next in the fight for fair votes? LDER with the APPG for Fair Elections
September 20, 1pm, Bryanston Suite, Marriott Hotel

LDER's Sara Lewis will chair a discussion with Lisa Smart MP (Liberal Democrat APPG Vice Chair), APPG members Olly Glover MP and Lord Mark Pack, and Joe Sousek (Fair Vote and Labour for a New Democracy).

The panel will examine the urgent case for electoral reform, focusing on a fragmented political system, declining trust in democracy and FPTP, and the unprecedented public and parliamentary support driving momentum. Discussion will highlight the APPG for Fair Elections’ progress, the cross‑party call for a National Commission on Electoral Reform, and how Liberal Democrats can continue to lead through activism, local government, and parliamentary platforms.

Votes at 16: fair deal for young people? LDER with Unlock Democracy
September 20, 8.15pm, Main Conference Centre BIC

Tom Brake of Unlock Democracy will chair this debate, with speakers Sarah Olney MP (LDER President), Harvey Jones (Young Liberals), Reuben Bance (Make Votes Matter Youth Ambassador) and Paris Habib (My Life My Say).

They will explore the case for lowering the voting age to 16, situating today’s debate within the historical precedent of reducing the age from 21 to 18 in 1969 and addressing concerns about maturity, turnout, and susceptibility to extremism. Discussion will highlight the principles of democratic inclusion, lessons from past reforms, and practical measures such as automatic voter registration and citizenship education to ensure young people can fully participate.

Wendy Chamberlain MP (LDER President and Chief Whip) and Lisa Smart MP (elected in 2024) will be speaking, along with some great guest speakers. They will be exploring the key question: is this…

A PARLIAMENT FOR PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION?

A single party huge parliamentary majority, yet on a record-low level of popular support. And there are more pro-PR MPs than ever before; and there's massive public disillusion with our politics. What are the prospects for change; and what actions should reformers be taking?

Guest speakers:  Tom Brake, Unlock Democracy; Parth Patel, Institute for Public Policy and Research; and Jill Rutter, Institute for Government.  LDER exec member Sarah Lewis is in the chair.

LDER will be at the annual Social Liberal Forum Conference (July 13, 2024) to discuss 'What's Next for the Liberal Democrats?' It's being held in St Albans and local MP Daisy Cooper will be joined by Layla Moran MP as key speakers.  Our goal is to reinforce the importance of voting system change in any planning for the future - for the sake of our politics and democracy.

Charlie Clinton, PPC for Holborn & St Pancras, and the Lib Dems for Electoral Reform invite you to Keir Starmer's backyard to campaign on Electoral Reform. We'll be joined by a special guest: London Assembly member Hina Bokhari. 

We will be talking to voters about whether politics is working for them, pointing out that the Labour Party is in favour of electoral reform but Keir Starmer is not. We'll also be highlighting that the current London wide campaign for the GLA is the only PR election they get to vote in  - and why that means that their vote matters.  

Weather permitting, we'll have a picnic in Russell Square for lunch and then out for a second round of afternoon canvassing.

The day kicks off at 10am.  We will have a stand by Russell square for the day, both to talk to passing voters and to act as HQ for anyone joining us later on.

You are welcome to join at any point during the day or sign up here!