Labour Party Conference 2012: MM's guide to the best fringe events

By Lucy Kenderdine

The Labour Party’s annual conference is back in Manchester, and Ed Miliband has already been speaking in the city.

The Labour leader spoke yesterday at Manchester East Academy – in what proved to be a enthusiastic but cautious teaser ahead of his big speech tomorrow.

Here’s MM’s round-up of some of the highlights from the conference fringe events. No pass required – these are all outside the main security zone – so anyone can come along and get involved, even if it is just to dip your toe in the political water.

Manc Night

A night out celebrating the best of the host city including live music, special guests and unique Mancunian food. Hacienda DJ Dave Haslam will provide music in the venue which is just a short walk from the conference centre. The money raised will go towards the Manchester Labour party and Lucy Powell’s by-election campaign. Sunday September 30 8pm-late @ Sam’s Chop House, Chapel Walks.

Youth unemployment: The crisis we cannot afford- an Interview with David Miliband MP

After the controversy surrounding David Miliband and his brother, this event is listed as one of the few aspects of the conference that he will attend. Chaired by Krishnan Guru-Murthy of Channel 4, the interview promises to be interesting and reflects on the findings of Milibands youth unemployment commission earlier this year. It claims that youth unemployment will cost the Treasury £28bn over the next decade and shows that it is a problem needs to be addressed. Monday October 1, 1pm – 2.15pm @ Hilton Hotel, Deansgate.

Cut Trident: Not Jobs, Health and Education

The Labour Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament will discuss Trident- the controversial UK missiles. Labelling them as a ‘throwback to the Cold War’ the discussion is set to be a lively one as people debate where the £100billion would be best spent if they were scrapped.   Expect provocative arguments about a contentious topic especially as guest Nick Brown MP has previously spoken out in Parliament about the issue and suggested that the money could be used to bring down tuition fees for students.  Monday October 1, 6pm @ Arora Hotel, Princess St.

Liberty’s event: Equality Under the Law?

With the impact of legal aid cuts about to come to the forefront of political discussion, the debate will focus on the preservation of fairness and equality in the justice system- always a confrontational topic. Shadow Justice Secretary Sadiq KhanMP and the Shadow Attorney General Emily Thornberry MP will attempt to get their views heard alongside journalists from the Daily Mirror and the Guardian. Monday October 1, 7.30pm@ The Midland Hotel, Stanley Suite.

LabourList Karaoke

The event is billed as ‘an evening of Socialism and singing’. Event goers can take part in an auction which will give them the chance to belt out a tune with special guests on the night. Money will go towards LabourList- a progressive blog providing a platform for open debate about the future of the Labour Party. Monday October 1, 8pm till late @ Rain Bar, 80 Great Bridgewater Street.

A year on: Did the riots change Britain?  

The riots last summer were a wakeup call to many around the country as images of looting and violence drew attention to communities sometimes forgotten by mainstream society. This discussion will examine how the country has been shaped by the events and whether adequate measures have been taken in response to what happened. Tuesday October 2, 5.45pm @ Arora Hotel, Charters Suite.

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