Lib Dems urged on fairness

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The Liberal Democrat leadership is being called on by members to ensure spending cuts do not unfairly hit the poorest in society.

A motion is set to be debated by party members in Liverpool this morning that demands the "inequality gap does not widen".

In a speech yesterday, Nick Clegg called on the party to hold its nerve over the coalition agreement and said planned cuts in spending were the "only choice".

Today's motion put forward by members from the Social Liberal Forum calls for a commitment that "the most vulnerable in society are not disproportionately affected by the government's austerity measures and to ensure that the wealth and inequality gap does not widen".

Speeches will be delivered by justice minister Lord McNally, deputy party leader Simon Hughes and energy secretary Chris Huhne.

Nick Clegg leaves conference today, as he heads to the United Nations to increase British pressure for rich countries to deliver on their aid promises to the developing world.

Early birds can catch business secretary Vince Cable at his third 7.15am meeting on the trot, when he speaks at the LSN Centre for Innovation in Learning fringe on who should pay for skills.

Also up with the larks is Foreign Office minister Jeremy Browne, who will be discussing the role of mutuals in financial services at the Demos in partnership with Nationwide Building Society fringe starting at 8am.

At the same time Dods is hosting a manufacturing dialogue with FDF, General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover and Siemens – Vince will be speaking at this event too, alongside Gordon Birtwistle MP.

At 1pm pop star Feargal Sharkey will be at the UK Music fringe on liberating creativity in a time of austerity.

Polly Toynbee and equalities minister Lynne Featherstone will discuss women, childcare and cuts at the Social Market Foundation and Childcare Voucher Providers event.

And Dods (sorry us again) and the Association of Train Operating Companies will be discussing whether we can afford the railways with transport minister Norman Baker.

Save the Children have got a bit of TV stardust at their afternoon fringe – Rageh Omaar will chair a discussion about Afghanistan and Pakistan. Malcolm Bruce, chair of the Commons international development committee, is on the panel.

At 6.15pm The Observer event has Andrew Rawnsley in conversation with Lord Ashdown, and Shami Chakrabarti will chair the Liberty fringe with Simon Hughes, Lord McNally and Lynne Featherstone on the panel.

The TUC/Social Market Foundation fringe at 8pm will consider public vs private sector jobs speakers include TUC general secretary and Tory minister Oliver Letwin.

At the same time the NUT will hold its fish and chips supper reception – but numbers are strictly limited and entry is by invitation only. Visit the NUT stand for more information.

There is more activity beginning at 10pm on the last night of conference. For traditionalists there is the Glee Club.

"Pick up your copy of the Liberator songbook so you can raise the roof, with songs from the days of Gladstone and Lloyd George to satirical songs from 20 years of the Liberal Revue. Cash bar."

For something more contemporary, UK Music Great Political Pop Quiz, hosted by former Undertones frontman Feargal Sharkey offers "free food and drink for participants, great prizesand special guests". Registration essential: jo.dipple@ukmusic.org.

If you have an iPhone or iPad check out the latest version of the DodsPeople app, now available in the iTunes Store. Pop along for a preview in the Dods area.

Today at conference

Morning session

09.00 - F32 Policy Motion - Localism
09.55 - F33 Speech - Lord McNally
10.15 - F34 Policy Motion - Ensuring Fairness in a Time of Austerity
11.20 - F35 Policy Motion - Equal Marriage in United Kingdom (Speakers include Dr Evan Harris and Stephen Gilbert MP)
12.20 - F36 Speech - Simon Hughes MP

Afternoon session

14.30 - F37 Q&A Session - Public Services and Benefits
15.15 - F38 Speech - Chris Huhne MP
15.35 - F39a Emergency Motion - Pakistan Floods (Speakers include Andrew George MP)
16.05 - F39b Topical Issue - Building a Low Carbon Economy (Speakers include Neil Stockley and Chris Huhne MP)
16.35 - F40 Presentation - Liberal Democrat Group on Fife Council
16.55 - F41 Reports - Parliamentary Parties of the Liberal Democrats
17.35 - F42 Constitutional Amendments

Yesterday at conference

There was a consultative session entitled ‘Facing the Future’.

The policy motion on Free Schools and Academies was carried (A1 carried, A2 defeated, motion carried).

The policy motion on Green Taxation was carried (line 7 retained, lines 16/17 retained, A1 carried, motion carried).

Standing order amendments: Day visitors speaking at conference; Questions to parliamentary party reports, Summation speakers, Where to speak from.