Plugged In

First up at the Labour conference we will be looking simultaneously forward and backward as we ask ‘How can we rekindle the spirit of 1945?’ to an excellent cast-list of ex-DCLG Minister John Healey, current shadow DCLG minister Chris Williamson and Haringey leader Cllr Clare Kober.

Then at the Conservative conference we are tackling two of the biggest current issues for local government ? the integration of health and social care, and the prospects for a more localist future under the next Government (whoever that may be).

At lunchtime we have ‘The Care Necessities ? Will the relationship between the NHS and local government be a healthy one?’ where another top panel (health minister Dr Dan Poulter, Health Select Committee chair Stephen Dorrell, and Cllr Paul Carter, leader of Kent CC) will discuss what needs to happen to stimulate greater integration between health and social care. Is the era of top-down command and control really over?

Then we have a heavyweight discussion between Greg Clark, Cities Minister and financial secretary to the Treasury, and Sir Merrick Cockell, chairman of the LGA.

With 2015 fast approaching, this panel event will debate what the core issues of the next election will be and, in particular, whether localism should again be at the heart of the Conservative manifesto for 2015 (though I will also be pressing the speakers for their thoughts on the other parties’ appetite for embracing further localism).

Expect to hear the phrases ‘rewiring public services’ and ‘city deals’ liberally sprinkled around.

And when that’s all done, and the nation has recovered from three solid weeks of febrile political gossip, we can all go back to enjoying autumn again.