Conservative party still aiming to hold conference at ICC
LABOUR and the Liberal Democrats have both cancelled their annual party conferences. But the Conservatives are still pressing ahead with their planned conference at Birmingham’s ICC in Broad Street, due to take place between October 4 and 7.
It remains to be seen whether the conference will attract as many people as usual.
But past conferences have seen more than 11,000 people come to the city, including politicians, party activists, journalists and representatives of thinktanks, charities and businesses.
Tories have held party conferences in the city before, and the gathering is thought to boost the city economy by £20 million, as visitors spend money in hotels, bars and restaurants.
It remains to be seen, of course, whether Birmingham’s bars in Broad Street and elsewhere will be fully open by October.
But Birmingham Labour MP Liam Byrne said it was important the conference did not put safety at risk.
He highlighted the rate of reproducton of the Covid-19 coronavirus, known as ‘R’, saying: “I think we would all be looking for reassurances from the Conservative Party that they are not going to do anything to increase the ‘R’ rate in the city centre.”
The Tory plans could change, but a spokesman confirmed that the current plan is to go ahead with the conference.
Labour has cancelled its planned conference, which had been due to take place in Liverpool in September. A Labour spokeswoman said: “Our priority is the safety of members, staff and visitors to our events and the need to protect the public’s health.
“In light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, we have therefore decided to postpone this year’s annual and women’s conferences.”
And Liberal Democrats have cancelled their planned conference, which would have been held in Brighton in September.
They say they will hold a virtual party conference instead.