By Simon Richards, Director of the Freedom Association
“Why is there so little opportunity for free and open discussion of the big issues at party conferences?” That’s a question I’ve often heard asked and The Freedom Association has created The Freedom Zone to bring back unfettered debate to the conference scene. ConservativeHome already provides a great forum for such discussion online – The Freedom Zone seeks to do the same on the Conference Fringe.
So, in the magnificent setting of The Bridgewater Hall, just across the road from the Party Conference itself, next week you’ll be able to hear over 50 speakers, join in discussion of everything from civil liberties to the case for leaving the EU; from climate change to the future of the BBC – and much else besides. You’ll be able to participate in all the discussions and you’ll even be able to vote on the big issues. What’s more, you won’t need a conference pass and admission is free.
As anyone who attended last year’s inaugural Freedom Zone will confirm, we’ve helped make attending conference enjoyable again. This year, we’ll have an all-day bar, a giant widescreen TV for you to keep up with the main conference and a spacious and comfortable Blogging Zone with free wifi. There’s a café-bar and even a gift shop, too.
New this year is the Westminster Village Fête, with dozens of interactive stands from some of the best organisations on the centre-right, such as the TaxPayers’ Alliance and Conservative Way Forward. As well as book signings by John Redwood and others, you can give us your views on the EU, stop our EU Gravy Train Set – or even guess the weight of the porky pies our politicians have been telling us.
Can you afford to miss two days like this? Visit The Freedom Zone blog for details.
