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Party Conferences 2026 and Uplift Events

September 18, 2026
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Emma Chadwick
Conference event

Oil and gas continues to be a key issue in political debate, as the UK once again faces soaring energy bills, as well as intensifying climate impacts and a North Sea basin in decline.

Against this backdrop, Uplift is bringing together leading political, trade union and expert voices at this year’s party conferences to debate the issues – the politics of climate change, what a rapid, climate-aligned transition away from oil and gas could look like, and how to ensure it is fair to workers, communities and billpayers.

Conference attendees and members of the media are invited to join us for this series of timely events.

Liberal Democrat Conference

  • A Fair Vision for the Energy Transition: Protecting workers and empowering communities. After fifty years of drilling, with the North Sea in terminal decline, what do we need governments to do to ensure that the UK’s oil and gas workers and the communities they support are protected and can thrive as the UK transitions to renewable energy?
  • Details: Sunday 20th September, 13:45-14:45. Churchill Room, DoubleTree by Hilton
  • Speakers: Pippa Heylings, Liberal Democrat spokesperson on Energy Security and Net Zero and MP for South Cambridgeshire; Susan Murray Liberal Democrat spokesperson (Scotland) and MP for Mid Dunbartonshire; Alex Newton, deputy director, More in Common UK; Isobel Reid, head of politics at Uplift‍

Labour Party Conference  

  • Rosebank and Beyond: Why Labour must hold the Line on North Sea oil and gas. With a decision looming, what would it mean for the government to reject Rosebank, the UK’s largest undeveloped oil field – for the UK’s energy security, the future of the oil and gas workforce, and for the UK’s international standing? Explore the issues with this expert panel. 
  • Details: Monday 28th September, 14:00-15:00. Liverpool Quaker Meeting House
  • Speakers: Mike Reader, ESNZ Committee member and MP for Northampton South; Chris Murray, PPS and MP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh; Charlotte Hall,  executive director at Climate Jobs UK; Cllr Jo Blackman, executive member SERA (Labour's Environment Campaign); Tessa Khan, executive director of Uplift. 

Green Party Conference 

  • A Fair Energy Future: Zack Polanski and Tessa Khan. Just a few days ahead of the crucial Holborn and St Pancras by-election, Green Party leader Zack Polanski and Tessa Khan will discuss the politics of climate change, and how the UK can ensure the transition away from a fossil fuel economy is fair to workers, communities and bill payers. 
  • Details: Saturday 3rd October, 9:00-9:45. Buckingham Room, DoubleTree by Hilton
  • Speakers: Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party; Tessa Khan, executive director of Uplift; Chair tbc.

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