Liberal Democrats cancel party conference as a 'mark of respect'

Liberal Democrats cancel party conference in Brighton as a ‘mark of respect’ following the Queen’s death – after Trade Union Congress announced it would postpone its annual meeting

• The conference was due to begin on September 17 and run until September 20
• Labour Party conference is scheduled to run from September 25-28 in Liverpool
• While the Conservative Party conference is due in Birmingham from October 2-5
• Full coverage: Click here to see all our coverage of the Queen’s passing

The Liberal Democrats have cancelled their autumn conference as a ‘mark of respect’ after the death of the Queen.

Nick da Costa, who chairs the party’s federal conference committee, said the Lib Dems ‘want and need to show our respect to the Queen and the period of national mourning’.

He added the party considered other options – including delaying it by a few weeks – but decided to cancel the event, noting they will take a ‘substantial financial hit’ and ‘coping with this will not be easy’.

The conference in Brighton was due to begin on September 17 and run until September 20, with the Queen’s funeral scheduled for September 19.

Mr da Costa, in an email update, said: ‘The sad news of the last few days has touched our nation deeply. And we now know that the Queen’s funeral will take place on the Monday of our conference.

King Charles III speaks with Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey during an audience with opposition leaders in the 1844 Room at Buckingham Palace

A Lib Dem spokesperson said: ‘As we mourn the loss of the Queen, we send our condolences to the King and the royal family’

Queen Elizabeth II stands on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the Platinum Pageant on June 5

‘After very careful consideration – and taking soundings from as many people as we can – the conference committee and federal board have together regretfully decided to cancel our autumn conference and postpone major debates until spring.’

Mr da Costa said the party considered extending the conference, delaying by a few weeks or moving it online but has opted to cancel it, adding: ‘Conference is a major part of our budget and we stand to lose hundreds of thousands of pounds through this cancellation in lost income. (Event insurance policies do not cover the death of a monarch.)

‘At this point many of our supplier contracts are unavoidable. This means that our party will take a substantial financial hit as a result of cancelling the conference. Our finances are already very stretched and so coping with this will not be easy.’

A Lib Dem spokesperson said: ‘As we mourn the loss of the Queen, we send our condolences to the King and the royal family.

Sir Ed Davey as he joins the Speaker and selected MPs to take the oath and swear allegiance to the Crown, His Majesty King Charles III, in the House of Commons Chamber

‘Given the date of the funeral and period of national mourning, we have decided to cancel our autumn conference. We look forward to welcoming members to our next conference.’

The Labour Party conference is scheduled to run from September 25-28 in Liverpool, while the Conservatives are due in Birmingham from October 2-5.

The Trades Union Congress also said it had postponed its four-day annual conference due to have begun Sunday.

‘The UK’s trade union movement sends our condolences to the Royal Family on the death of the Queen, and recognises her many years of dedicated service to the country,’ the TUC added in a statement.

Rail union baron Mick Lynch similarly called off strikes planned for next week in a show of respect after the death of the Queen.

 RMT general secretary Mick Lynch (centre) has suspended rail strikes next week on September 15 and 17

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union boss said the walkout of rail workers was ‘suspended’ as the union joins ‘the whole nation in paying its respects’.

Last week, the RMT announced members would take strike action next Thursday and Saturday, causing rail chaos in a long-running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions.

However, in a show of respect to Queen Elizabeth II RMT general secretary Mr Lynch said: ‘RMT joins the whole nation in paying its respects to Queen Elizabeth.

‘The planned railway strike action on 15 and 17 September is suspended.

‘We express our deepest condolences to her family, friends and the country.’

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