Party Conferences are a key part of the political calendar, offering an opportunity to meet Ministers, Shadow Ministers and MPs.
This year, RIA is partnering with High Speed Rail Industry Leaders (HSRIL) and Rail Delivery Group (RDG) to hold fringe events at both Labour and Conservative Party Conferences.
We will be holding a policy-focused interview with a key Transport Minister / Shadow Minister on the Sunday afternoons, a panel session on the Mondays at lunchtime and a Drinks Reception on the Mondays in the evening.
RIA Members are welcome to attend. No registration is required, but attendees will require Conference passes to attend the Rail Interview events.
Labour Party Conference
Labour Party Conference will take place from Sunday 22 September to Wednesday 25 September 2019 at Brighton Conference Centre.
The Rail Interview
The Rail Interview with Shadow Transport Secretary Andy McDonald (invited) will take place on Sunday 22 September from 5.30pm to 7pm in the Osborne Room of the Hilton Brighton Metropole (inside the secure zone).
Guardian Transport Correspondent Gwyn Topham will interview McDonald on Labour's key rail policies and their priorities for the sector should they get into Government.
Sponsors
A New Partnership Railway – Could devolving more decisions on rail mean better results for passengers?
A panel discussion will take place on Monday 23 September from 12.45 to 2pm, titled ‘A New Partnership Railway – Could devolving more decisions on rail mean better results for passengers?’. The event will be in the Buckingham Room of the Hilton Brighton Metropole. Speakers include:
- Robert Nisbet, Director, Nations & Regions, Rail Delivery Group (Chair)
- Andy McDonald, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport (invited)
- Ruth Cadbury MP, Transport Select Committee Member
- Darren Caplan, Chief Executive, Railway Industry Association
- Sharon Hedges, Franchise Programme Manager, Transport Focus (invited)
- Paul Plummer, Chief Executive, Rail Delivery Group
The HS2 Drinks Reception
The HS2 Drinks Reception will take place on Monday 23 September from 4 to 6pm in the Birch Room, British Airways i360 (outside the secure zone). Speakers include:
- Jo Hensher, HSRIL
- Lord Adonis former NIC Chair and Transport Secretary
- Laura Smith MP for Crewe & Nantwich (invited)
Conservative Party Conference
Conservative Party Conference will take place from Sunday 29 September to Wednesday 2 October 2019 in Manchester.
The Rail Interview
The Rail Interview with Transport Secretary Grant Shapps MP (confirmed) at Conservative Party Conference will take place from 5.30 to 6.45pm on Sunday 29 September in the Derby Suite of the Midland Hotel in Manchester (inside the secure zone).
Guardian Transport Correspondent Gwyn Topham will interview Shapps on the Government's key rail policies and their priorities for the sector.
Sponsors
Reforming our railways – how can a new partnership railway best deliver for customers and taxpayers?
A panel discussion will take place on Monday 30 September from 12.30 to 1.45pm in the Derby Suite of the Midland Hotel (inside the secure zone). Speakers include:
- Robert Nisbet, Director, Nations & Regions, Rail Delivery Group (Chair)
- Chris Heaton-Harris MP, Rail Minister
- Jack Brereton MP, Transport Select Committee Member
- Will Roberts, Director, HSRIL & Communications Director UK & Ireland, Alstom
- Caroline Whittam, Head of Rail Franchising, Transport for Greater Manchester (invited)
- Paul Plummer, Chief Executive, Rail Delivery Group
The HS2 Drinks Reception
The HS2 Drinks Reception will take place on Monday 30 September from 4pm to 6pm at Rooms 15-16, Radisson Blu Edwardian Manchester (outside the secure zone). Speakers include:
- John Downer, Director, HSRIL
- Paul Maynard, Rail Minister
- Andrea Jenkyns, MP for Morley and Outwood (invited)