b'Member News November 2023 13Influence Political Party Conferences roundupFrom the beaches of Bournemouth to the docks of Liverpool, with a stop off in metropolitan Manchester, the IET has been engaging with the Westminster political parties at their annual conferences.NEPC panel event at Lib Dem ConferenceLiberal Democrat Conference including members of the Energyopportunities to mingle and chat with in Bournemouth Security and Net Zero Committeethe numerous politicians dropping into and Apprenticeship APPG, where wethe Lounge, including Shadow Industry Starting in Bournemouth, we joineddiscussed the latest IET research andMinister Sarah Jones MP, both during our National Engineering Policy Centrepolicy recommendations, and developedthe day over coffee, and in the evenings (NEPC) colleagues to host a panelfuture engagement opportunities.when the coffee bar was taken over by discussion on how engineering canWe also hosted another panel withDiageo and started serving Keir Royales! get the UK to net zero by 2050.our NEPC partners, where we heardTo round off the last night of party Chaired by EngineeringUKs Chieffrom former Scottish Minister andconference season, we hosted our Executive, Dr Hilary Leevers, theChair of several energy-related APPGs,final NEPC panel featuring Shadow panel featured views from Lib DemDavid Duguid MP, along with IETScience Minister Chi Onwurah, Guardian Spokesperson on the ConstructionSkills Policy Lead Stephanie Baxter,Environment Editor Fiona Harvey, Industry, Lord Stunell, CEO of PureBCS President Rashik Parmar, formerEngineeringUK Chief Executive Hilary Data Centre Group Dame DawnIMechE Chief Engineer Dr Jen Baxter,Leevers and former ICE President Rachel Childs, Imperial College Londonsand engineering apprentice CharlotteSkinner CBE. The panel explored the Head of Dept of Chemical EngineeringWilkes. The conversation centred aroundcrucial role that our skilled engineers Professor Nilay Shah, and Patrick Hayes,the skills and technologies neededand technicians play in all areas of Technical Director at IStructE. Thefor net zero, and the importance ofpublic life, from energy and construction expert panel and packed-out audiencecommunities and infrastructure.to healthcare and transport. discussed everything from retrofit and nuclear to the skills needed toLabour Conference in Liverpoolupgrade and digitalise our electricityFinally, we made our way to Liverpool,Conclusionsgrid and national infrastructure.where we met with Labour MPs,As well as the meetings andConservative Conference including Shadow Energy Minister Alanour NEPC event, the conferences in Manchester Whitehead MP, in the iNHouse Lounge.were a great opportunity to attend We then headed up to Manchester,Just as in Manchester, as well as theroundtables, panel discussions and where we had a table in theformal meetings, there were plenty ofreceptions hosted by a range of iNHouse Lounge, an exclusive invite- businesses and organisations. This only meeting and events spacebuilds connections with contacts for politicians and journalists.old and new, and allows us to horizon scan policy discussions to In the Lounge, IET Director ofinform who and what the IET should Governance and External Engagement,be engaging with in the coming Chris Knibb, and Public Affairsyear in the run up to the next Manager, Tim Allison, hosted meetingsGeneral Election. More to follow!with several Conservative MPs,'