📅 Tuesday 2nd June - The Story of Liberalism with AC Grayling

We were joined by world-renowned British philosopher and author, AC Grayling, for an exploration of the liberal philosophy canon. From the foundational ideas of John Locke and John Stuart Mill to the transformative perspectives of Mary Wollstonecraft and Isaiah Berlin, we will explored the values that define liberal societies.

AC Grayling was in conversation with our Culture, Media and Sport Spokesperson, Anna Sabine MP, and together they examined how these core principles have shaped modern Western democracies, and continue to inspire the Liberal Democrats' mission.

📅 Friday 22nd May - Flash Update with Mike Dixon

We hosted a half-hour 'flash update' on Zoom with Lib Dem CEO Mike Dixon. Following our local and regional election results, Mike focussed on party strategy and new research into voter profile modelling.

📅 Wednesday 13th May - Mix @ Six

Mix @ 6 is back. We gathered for an informal evening of networking, political conversation and socialising with Network members and Lib Dem parliamentarians, hosted in a hearty Westminster pub.

📅 Tuesday 28th April - The Democratic Reset with Lisa Smart MP.

We were joined by Lisa Smart MP, Cabinet Office Spokesperson (Hazel Grove), for an in-depth analysis of the Representation of the People Bill’s (2024-26)  approach to expanding the franchise, foreign donation safeguards, and automatic registration. Lisa was in conversation with Times journalist and Liberty Network Chair, Edward Lucas.

📅 24th February 2026 - Growth Before Populism: Advancing the Case for a Customs Union

We were joined by Dr Al Pinkerton MP, Europe Spokesperson, who recently passed a 10-Minute Rule Bill in Parliament advocating for a Customs Union, alongside Dr Chase Foster of King’s College London, a leading specialist in political and economic populism.

Together, they explored how a Customs Union could help dismantle the trade barriers currently constraining British industry and economic potential, pressures that are increasingly fuelling populist sentiment. The discussion mapped a credible path to frictionless trade and durable economic stability, showing how the UK can unlock growth while navigating an increasingly volatile European political landscape.

📅 21st January 2026 - Affordable Energy Security with Tim Leunig & Pippa Heylings MP

We were joined by award-winning LSE economist Tim Leunig and Pippa Heylings MP (South Cambridgeshire & Energy Spokesperson) for a vital discussion on the future of UK power. The speakers discussed how affordable energy solutions can simultaneously combat climate change and bolster national security by ending our reliance on imported fossil fuels.

📅 11th December 2025 - Aid, trade and geopolitics - the new world disorder with Peter Frankopan

The old global system, for all its faults, was based on rules-based trade and predictable North-South aid flows. Not any more. Rich countries, notably the US and UK, are slashing their aid budgets, while Donald Trump’s weaponisation of tariffs heralds a new world of protectionist power politics. Are we now facing an era in which the big countries do the deals that they can, while the poorer and smaller states accept the fate that they must? The answer will shape our world for a generation.

To discuss these pressing issues, we were delighted to host the award-winning and best-selling author Peter Frankopan. Professor of global history at Worcester College, Oxford, and author of the 2015 blockbuster The Silk Roads. He was joined in discussion with Monica Harding, MP for Esher and Walton, a star member of our 2024 election triumph, and the party’s spokesperson on international development. The event was moderated by the Times columnist and Liberty Network chair, Edward Lucas.

📅 11th November 2025 - Insider’s Strategy Briefing with Mike Dixon and Dave McCobb

We held our exclusive, forward focused, strategy briefing with Mike Dixon, CEO, and Dave McCobb, Director of Campaigns, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how our approach has evolved in response to the rise of reform and how we can capitalise on the opportunities emerging from a newly fractured electoral landscape. This is a chance to hear first-hand insights, ask questions, and contribute to the discussion shaping our next strategic steps.

📅 2nd October 2025 -  Sewage, Soaring Bills & Thames Water – Time for Change

Charlie Maynard MP joined us for a no-nonsense discussion on the state of our water system and what we can do about it. Thames Water has racked up £19 billion in debt, dumped raw sewage into our rivers for over 300,000 hours in 2024 alone, and paid millions to bosses and shareholders, all while your bills keep rising. Charlie has been fighting back: partnering with WASP (Windrush Against Sewage Pollution), raising the alarm in Parliament, and challenging Thames Water’s latest £3 billion debt scheme in the High Court. He believes water is a public necessity, not a corporate cash cow and it’s time to stand up for our rivers, our homes, and our communities.

📅 10th September 2025 - LDBN & Liberty End of Summer Reception

We were delighted to welcome guests to our LDBN and Liberty Network End of Summer Reception. The event brought together Party Leader, Ed Davey, many of our MPs, Peers and senior party staff.

📅 22nd July 2025 - Aid in crisis: humanitarianism in a post-Trump world

In the wake of swingeing cuts by the Trump administration and a reallocation of funds into defence in the UK, the West's approach to international humanitarian aid has arrived at a crucial inflection point. As the world becomes more unstable and humanitarian crises ever-more acute, this briefing gave an insight into the Liberal Democrats' response.
Edward Lucas, Times journalist, was joined by Monica Harding MP, International Development Spokesperson, and Calum Miller MP, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson to delve into the issues including the supply of aid in Gaza, as well as the party's approach to international aid in the longer-term.

📅 8th July 2025 - Defence emergency — how Europe can spend now and pay later

Threatened by Putin’s Russia and let down by Trump’s America, Europe needs to rearm — fast. We need not just extra money for defence, but to spend it better. Less overlap. Less waste. More innovation.
Leading security expert Edward Lucas, is co-author of the proposed European Rearmament Bank proposal and was joined on the panel with fellow co-author Guy de Selliers,  Lib Dem Defence Spokesperson Helen Maguire MP and Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Graydon.

📅 24th June 2025 - Lib Dem Summer Party

We were delighted to host our annual Lib Dem Summer Party in the garden of Charles Brand and Virginia Bonham-Carter. We were joined by the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey, MPs, Peers, and senior Lib Dem figures to toast to the Party’s successes.

📅 2nd June 2025 - UK/EU reset - what next?

Following Labour’s announcement on resetting UK/EU relations, we hosted a special flash update with Lib Dem Europe Spokesperson, James MacCleary MP. James will outlined the Lib Dems’ response and discussed the implications of this announcement for the party.

📅 13th May 2025 - Feastor Famine: Building a Resilient and Sustainable Food System

On the panel we were joined by - Professor Chris Elliott, Rachel Hellos, Dr Lizzie Collingham, Edwin Booth and Tim Farron MP

Our panel explored key challenges such as the impact of climate change on agriculture, the resilience of supply chains, and the role of innovation and policy in creating a more sustainable and equitable food system. Together, our speakers shared insights and ideas on how to ensure everyone has access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food.

📅 6th May 2025 - Crime and punishment—Britain’s modern horror story

We were delighted to welcome Nick Ross, Britain’s most insightful campaigner for criminal justice reform, alongside Edward Lucas, Times columnist, and Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain MP as they explored the urgent challenges facing our justice system—and what real reform could look like.

📅 10th April 2025 - Rebuilding Bridges: The Case for a UK-EU Customs Union

We were joined by Sarah Olney MP, Tim Cotterill and Nicola Horlick as they focused on the case for a customs union.

In a world where long-trusted alliances and trading relationships are being set aside in favour of perceived national interest, the Liberal Democrats believe that the case for re-establishing smooth trading relationships with our partners in the EU has never been stronger. Now is the time for a customs union to ensure that British businesses can take advantage of the huge trading market right on our doorstep.

📅 18th March 2025 - Rise of Reform

Mike Dixon (CEO), Dave McCobb (Director of Campaigns), and Paul Haydon (Director of Communications) explored the rise of Reform, its impact on the Liberal Democrats, and its significance for the country.

📅 4th February 2025 - Local Elections Briefing with Mike Dixon and Ruth Younger (follow up)

Lib Dem CEO, Mike Dixon and Deputy Director of Campaigns, Ruth Younger held a confidential update on the campaign progress and what remains to be done to secure the best possible results.

📅 22nd January 2025 - In conversation with Tim Leunig

We were delighted to host Professor Tim Leunig, international prize-winning economist, to discuss the intricate workings of economic policy and governance. Tim's extensive expertise and his unique perspective on navigating challenges and fostering growth in both national and global contexts provided an enlightening discussion.

📅 16th December 2024 - Local Elections Briefing with Mike Dixon and Dave McCobb

We were joined by Lib Dem CEO, Mike Dixon and Director of Campaigns, Dave McCobb for an insider briefing on the May local elections. We heard confidential insight about our campaigns on the ground and expectations for these elections.

📅 9th December 2024 - The Future of UK Farming

The Labour Government’s changes to inheritance tax pose a serious threat to farmers across the UK. These plans, effectively a 'Family Farm Tax,' jeopardise the future of countless family-run farms. Tim Farron MP, Alistair Carmichael MP and Rob Ward examined the implications of this policy and discussed the Liberal Democrat position.

📅 26th November 2024 - US Elections - Reflecting on the Results

We were joined by Katherine Stewart, Edward Lucas, Rebecca Tinsley and Calum Miller MP as they reflected on the outcome of the US election and the impact the Trump administration will have, in the US and globally. The panel discussed what the future hold for the so-called 'special relationship' and what are the implications for relations in the Middle East, the Russia/Ukraine conflict and the dialogue with China, as well as global geopolitical discussions on climate action.

📅 10th September 2024 - Meet the MPs

We gathered with many of our MPs to celebrate the success of the General Election. There were speeches from Tilly McAuliffe, Party Treasurer and Daisy Cooper, Deputy Leader, alongside a BBQ at the Institute for Government.

📅 24th July 2024 - General Election Thank You Party

We were delighted to gather with many network members and some of our most generous supporters during the election campaign to raise a glass to our 72 MPs!

📅 18th June 2024 - Lib Dem Summer Party

We were delighted to host our annual Lib Dem Summer Party in the garden of Charles Brand and Virginia Bonham-Carter. We were joined by the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey, MPs, Peers, and senior Lib Dem figures to hear about the campaign.

📅 13th June 2024 - The Impact of the Media on Politics

We were delighted to host Barney Jones, visiting Professor of Journalism at City University and former editor of The Andrew Marr show, Lord Jonny Oates, Chief Executive of United Against Malnutrition & Hunger and former Chief of Staff to the Deputy Prime Minister, Nina Wright, Chair of Harmsworth Media, owner of i newspaper, and Carolyn Quinn, former presenter of The Westminster Hour, PM & Today, proggs on BBC Radio 4. 

The discussion provided insights into election coverage, compared party approaches, and shared post-election expectations.

📅 4th June 2024 - The Liberty Network, 21st Anniversary Celebration

We were delighted to celebrate The Liberty Network's 21st Birthday, kindly hosted by Reg Clark and Emma Sanderson-Nash, at Japan House. We gathered with old and new members and heard from Daisy Cooper MP.

📅 21st May 2024 -Trajectory of China - Emergence of a superpower and its global impact

We were delighted to invite  Danny Alexander, George Magnus, Dr Christine Cheng and Richard Foord MP as they explored the trajectory of China, focusing on its emergence as a superpower and the consequential global impact. This event proved to be an insightful exploration of one of the most significant geopolitical shifts of our time.

📅 30th April 2024 Routes to reform: the future of UK tax for a fairer society

We held an open discussion with an exchange of ideas on the ways in which UK tax should be reformed to safeguard the future of our public services and ensure a fairer society for the benefit of future generations. On the panel we were joined by James Perry, co-founder of COOK, LDBN founder Andrew Dixon from Fairer Share and Sarah Olney MP.

📅 24th April 2024 Redistributing More Food to Struggling Communities with Fare Share

Our panel delved into the pressing issue of food waste, exploring ways to mitigate its detrimental effects on both the environment and those facing food insecurity. The evening was chaired by Caroline Kenyon, Founder of The Food Awards Company and on the panel she was joined by George Wright, CEO FareShare, Sarah Dyke MP and Ben Thomas, Senior Environment Manager at John Lewis Partnership.

📅 23rd April 2024 -Manifesto costings with Lord Dick Newby

As we approach the General Election, we recognise the importance of providing transparency and clarity regarding our manifesto commitments and how they align with our fiscal plans. We heard from Lord Dick Newby, Chair of the Manifesto writing committee, as he explains the methodology behind the manifesto.

📅 10th April 2024 - May Elections - Insider's Briefing with CEOMike Dixon and Head of Campaigns, Dave McCobb

The May elections offer a big opportunity for the Party to demonstrate its strength and resurgence - the last opportunity before the next General Election. We heard confidential insight from Mike and Dave about our campaigns on the ground and expectations for these elections.

📅 16th March 2024 - President’s Reception at Spring Conference

📅 28th February 2024 - Can manufacturing and trade ever meet the challenges of a truly ‘Global Britain’ without an industrial strategy?

As the nation embraces a more interconnected and competitive global economy, we joined to discuss whether a well-defined industrial strategy is essential to address challenges and unlock opportunities in manufacturing and trade.

The panel examined the role of an industrial strategy in enabling the manufacturing and trade sectors to thrive, and (re)creating a truly 'Global Britain' before opening to questions from the audience. 

📅 6th February 2024 - In conversation with Tim Bale

We were delighted to welcome Professor Tim Bale, from Queen Mary University London and Mark Pack, Lib Dem Party President, where they explored the fascinating paradox at the heart of modern European politics: the populist right has been doing well in elections but wider social attitudes continue to become more liberal.