Public services focus for Progress conference
Progress is to hold a major one-day conference on the future of Britain’s public services on 6 July. The conference will feature speakers from all sides of the debate and all sections of the Labour and trade union movement, including government ministers, MPs, trade unionists and practitioners.
With investment in frontline services heading for record levels, attention is now turning to the reform agenda – an issue which has seen the government, unions and party members locked in an argument since the general election campaign.
The Progress conference will be the first major opportunity for party members to discuss the government’s plans since the events of September 11 effectively postponed the much-anticipated debate at last year’s Labour Party conference.
Confirmed speakers so far include: health minister Hazel Blears; transport minister David Jamieson; Stephen Timms, the school standards minister; and former Northern Ireland secretary, Peter Mandelson. Union representatives include: Bob Abberley, assistant general secretary of Unison; the deputy general secretary of the PCS, Jim McAuslan; and the T&G national organiser, Jack Dromey. The conference will also feature Ed Balls, chief economic adviser to the Treasury; the director of the Social Market Foundation, Phillip Collins; and the medical director of the Whittingdon hospital, Professor James Malone-Lee.
As well as three major keynote speakers, the day will feature policy seminars on: the economics of public sector reform; health; raising school standards; transport; delivering through the party; and international experiences of reform.
• Contact Lucy at Neil Stewart Associates. Tel: 020 7689 9217 [email protected]
Young people – is the party over?
Progress and Unions 21 are to jointly host a one-day conference on re-engaging young people in politics. Held at the invitation of the Labour Party NEC’s youth taskforce, the event will examine why young people are turned off by traditional politics and how politicians can win back their trust. The conference will take place at the Millbank media centre on 17 July. Tony Robinson, vice chair of Progress and chair of the NEC youth taskforce, commented: ‘I can’t think of a more important challenge for those of us that are passionate about politics than creating an environment in which we can engage young people. There has been virtually no debate on this issue so
far within the party, but thanks to Progress we can now begin.’
• More details, contact Progress: [email protected]
First Minister addresses Progress event
Jack McConnell, First Minister of Scotland, headed the line up of speakers at Progress’ first ever Scottish
conference, held in April. The event, attended by over 100 Scottish party members, was also addressed by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Alistair Darling, E-commerce minister Douglas Alexander and ministers from the Scottish executive.
Electronic news
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Free trial membership
We have just launched our best-ever offer for new Progress members. You can now
get a completely free four month trial and then, if you wish to continue, it will be just £5.99 for a year’s membership. To take advantage of this offer send an email to [email protected].