ICAEW listings for party conferences 2011

ICAEW attended the Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative party conferences this year, aiming to build new contacts with influential politicians and policy makers from all parties, catch up with existing friends of ICAEW from Westminster and Brussels, and raise awareness of the new Business Advice Service and the good work and expertise of our members.

This year’s conference season was a fascinating one, with enthusiastic endorsements of the Business Advice Service from leading politicians, a robust defence of the accountancy sector in the Prime Minister’s speech, and controversial comments from Opposition leader Ed Miliband on the differences between ‘predatory and productive’ businesses. The Eurozone crisis and the potential for a second recession set the tone for lively policy debates at all three conferences, with the growing difficulties of Coalition government a key theme for the Lib Dems and the Tories.

This year’s season saw ICAEW spokespersons including Michael Izza and Robin Fieth speaking on issues including tax avoidance, economic recovery, enterprise policy and international development. Below is a short summary of ICAEW’s activity at the conferences. We also attended each party’s Business Day, meeting with senior MPs and party advisers on key issues for the profession, including audit reform. 

Liberal Democrat conference in Liverpool

• With the New Statesman, we co-hosted an interview with chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander MP, with local members in attendance.
• Robin Fieth represented the profession at a packed fringe event on tax avoidance with minister for the profession Ed Davey MP, hosted by think tank Demos and Christian Aid
• With the New Statesman, we co-hosted an interview with chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander MP, with local members in attendance.

Labour conference in Birmingham

• Michael Izza joined the then Shadow Secretary of State for Business John Denham MP, CBI head John Cridland and Nicola Smith of the TUC on the panel for the Fabian Society’s ever-popular Economy Question Time.
• ICAEW’s Head of Public Affairs and former Treasury special adviser Graham Dale spoke at the Labour instalment of the Demos/Christian Aid fringes on tax avoidance, alongside tax campaigner Richard Murphy and Shadow Treasury Minister Angela Eagle MP.
• ICAEW Public policy manager Fatima Hassan spoke at a Fabian Society fringe event alongside Labour shadow ministers Andy Slaughter and John Woodcock on ‘Securing the future of the next generation’.

Conservative conference in Manchester

• Graham Dale again spoke for ICAEW at the Conservative leg of the Demos/Christian Aid tax avoidance fringes, alongside George Osborne adviser Claire Perry MP.
• Michael Izza spoke alongside Channel 4 News’ Jon Snow and Tory rising star Pauline Latham MP at a fringe on climate and development finance.
• Enterprise minister Mark Prisk MP spoke alongside Michael at a well-attended fringe on enterprise and cities policy, co-hosted with think tank Centre for Cities.
• ICAEW member David Mowat MP and Michael hosted the north west launch of the Business Advice Service with around 60 members from the region.

For more information on ICAEW’s political engagement please contact Graham Dale, Head of Public Affairs. 

View ICAEW listings 2010 for party conferences