The Lib Dem conference gets into full swing on Sunday, with a packed schedule of events, including a Q&A session with Nick Clegg and speeches from Tim Farron and Ed Davey. Here are our picks of the fringe.
Morning
Vince Cable and Jo Swinsonwill be taking part in a ‘ministerial surgery’ on business and banks from 9:45am to 10:45am in the West Bar on the first floor of the Brighton Centre.
Lunchtime (13:00 to 14:00)
Labour politicians Jon Cruddas and Lord Adonis will be joined by Ming Campbell and Jo Swinson at a Centre Forum and Fabian Society event on the future for plural politics – could they be working together in government after 2015? (Hilton, Gloucester)
PoliticsHome’s Paul Waugh will chair the Dods fringe on university funding, which will ask if the UK’s R&D sector can be boosted by closed collaboration between business and higher education. (Hilton, Ambassador)
Regional transport will be the focus of a Dods lunchtime fringe at the Hilton, where MPs and transport experts will consider the importance of infrastructure to economic growth. (Hilton, Osborne)
Gay marriage will no doubt be on the agenda at the LGBT + Lib Dem event, with guest speaker Stephen Williams MP. Other topics include tackling homophobia in sport and the Transgender Action Plan. (Hilton, Gloucester)
To frack or not to frack? That is the question at the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering and Royal Society Fringe on shale gas extraction. (Hilton, Lancaster)
Early evening (18:15 to 19:30)
KFC are making a surprise appearance at conference this year, hosting an event with Barnardos on supporting young people into work. No word on what sort of refreshments will be served. (Grand, Consort)
The NUS, Liberal Youth and UCU are offering “a warm buffet” at their fringe on the rise of for-profit education providers. Drinks will also be served. (Hilton, Sandringham)
One-man Tory think tank Oliver Letwin is on the panel for the TUC and Social Market Foundation event, along with coalition colleague Danny Alexander and Frances O’Grady, the TUC General Secretary Designate. (Grand, Pavilion)
Paul Waugh will be back in the chair at the Dods fringe on fossil fuels. “Is the UKon the brink of a fossil fuel renaissance?” is one of the questions he will put to a panel that includes Andrew George MP. (Hilton, Ambassador)
Dods will also be hosting an invite-only event with ActionAid celebrating the launch of the 2012/13 Women In Public Life Awards – email Florence.rdv@actionaid.orgfor more details.
Evening (20:00 to 23:00)
There are also a couple of later events that are well worth attending. At 8pm, the Labour candidate in the Corbyby-election, Andy Sawford, will be attending an LGiU fringe on social care, along with speakers from Care and Age UK. (Hilton, Room 3)
NUS President Liam Burns will debate mature students and higher education with Vince Cable, also at 8pm. Baroness Brinton and million+ chair Patrick McGhee will also be on the panel. (Hilton, Sandringham) =
What is Cleggism? Who better to ask that Richard Reeves, the DPM’s former director of strategy. He will attempt to answer that question at the Demos and CentreForum fringe at 8pm. Former MP David Howarth will also give his take on what makes Nick tick. (Hilton, Surrey1)
And finally for Sunday, what better way to end a day at conference than with a cold beer? Open Europe is hosting an event that promises more than 20 different brews from across the continent. And if that is not enough, Norman Lamb should also be there. The reception begins at 9.45pm in the Regent room of the Grand Hotel. Cheers!