Liberal Democrats discuss policy on children and families, independent living for the disabled, diversity and equality and rape laws

6.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 18th Sep 2006

Ed Davey MP who spoke at Conference today

Liberal Democrat Conference officially opened today and had a packed agenda with four main policy motions and presentations from leading Parliamentarians such as Ed Davey and Nick Clegg as well as Question and Answer session with Sir Menzies Campbell.

The morning session saw a discussion on the parties Children and families policy paper - Stronger Families, Brighter Futures. The broad thrust of the paper, and motion, was to the help prepare people for the responsibility of parenthood, support families in maintaining financial and emotional stability and to support families in crisis. The motion also called for the Children's Commissioner for England and Wales to promote and protect children's rights in accordance with the UN's convention on the Rights of the Child.

Conference then discussed independent living for the disabled and called for a user-led centre for Independent Living in every local authority area by 2010 , stronger minimum statutory requirements for service delivery and the removal of barriers to employment for disabled people.

The debate on diversity and equality was an internal discussion on how the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Parties could become more representative of society by encouraging more women, more ethnic minorities, disabled and other other under-represented groups to stand in winnable seats and be given support by the party.

The Conference also looked at the laws surrounding rape and in particular the pitifully low conviction rate and what could be done to ensure more rapists are convicted whilst ensuring fair trial for those accused.

The full text of all the motions being discussed at Conference is available at www.libdems.org.uk