Events at Conservative Party Conference

Monday 6th October 2025

10:00am - 11:00am

Exchange 2-3 Manchester Central Convention Complex, Inside Secure Zone

Can UK Aid Help Stop the Boats?
Hosted by the Coalition for Global Prosperity and Conservatives in Foreign Policy

The Government wants to tackle irregular migration by addressing the root causes at the source. Research shows that, when deployed strategically, especially through investment in education and infrastructure, aid can reduce migration. This panel will explore the effectiveness of this strategy and thus examine the interplay between aid, foreign policy and national security.

  • The Rt Hon Nadhim Zahawi, Former Chancellor of the Exchequer

  • The Rt Hon Sir Andrew Mitchell KCMG, former Minister for Development and Africa

  • Dr Ranj Alaaldin, Director, Conservatives in Foreign Policy 

  • Chaired by Ryan Henson, Chief Executive Officer, Coalition for Global Prosperity

Monday 6th October 2025

11:30am - 12:30pm
Exchange 2-3 Manchester Central Convention Complex, Inside Secure Zone

From Diplomacy to Drama: Is Soft Power a Worthwhile Investment in a Volatile Era?
Hosted by the Coalition for Global Prosperity and The HALO Trust

While Britain has long been regarded as a global leader in soft power, amidst growing geopolitical competition and tough fiscal constraints, support for investment in soft power continues to fluctuate - with worrying ramifications. This panel will explore the promise of soft power; asking, amidst calls to redirect resources to defence instead, whether it remains a credible investment in the dangerous world Britain faces today. 

  • Major General (Retd) James Cowan CBE DSO, Chief Executive Officer, The HALO Trust

  • Aphra Brandreth MP, Foreign Affairs Committee

  • David Reed MP, International Development Committee

  • Patrick Stevens, Rule of Law Director, International Justice Development

  • Chaired by Harry Coulson, Senior Government Relations Advisor, Coalition for Global Prosperity.

Monday 6th October

13:00pm - 14:00pm
Exchange 2-3 Manchester Central Convention Complex, Inside Secure Zone

Life Under The Taliban: Is Britain Failing Afghanistan's Women and Girls?
Hosted by the Coalition for Global Prosperity and Islamic Relief UK

The UK has been a global leader in standing up for women and girls, promoting their rights not only as a matter of principle but also as a pillar of prosperity, stability and security. However, in Afghanistan opportunities under the Taliban’s rule are becoming increasingly scarce for women and girls. This panel will examine how the UK can continue to champion the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, whilst holding the Taliban to account.

  • Wendy Morton MP, Shadow Minister for FCDO

  • Heela Yoon, Founder, Muska

  • Keshini Navaratnam, Founder, Alexandrite Global & International Media and Communications Expert, Longtime TV News Anchor, The BBC

  • Najah Almugahed, Gender Protection and Inclusion Advisor, Islamic Relief Worldwide

  • Chaired by Beatrix Honigmann, Head of Operations and Evaluation, Coalition for Global Prosperity

In Conversation with The Rt Hon Dame Priti Patel MP

Please join us for an ‘In Conversation with’ event with The Rt Hon Dame Priti Patel DBE MP that will explore Britain’s role in the world today. This conversation will cover how the UK can promote and defend our interests in the decade ahead, and where the priorities of the next Conservative government should lie.

  • The Rt Hon Dame Priti Patel DBE MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign Commonwealth and Development Affairs

  • Ryan Henson, Chief Executive Officer, Coalition for Global Prosperity

Sanctions, Storm Shadow and Strategy: What the UK Can Learn from the War in Ukraine
Hosted by the Coalition for Global Prosperity

The war in Ukraine has reshaped the geopolitical landscape, highlighting critical lessons for the United Kingdom and its allies. From the effectiveness of economic sanctions to the strategic impact of advanced weaponry, the conflict has redefined modern warfare, deterrence, and defence policy. This panel will explore how the UK can adapt its preparedness for modern conflict and continue to support Ukraine during the war and beyond.

  • The Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale OBE MP, Member of Parliament for Maldon 

  • Lincoln Jopp MC MP, Member of Parliament for Spelthorne

  • Aliona Hlivco,  Founder & Chief Executive Officer, St. James’s Foreign Policy Group

  • Megan Gittoes, Director of Communications and Policy, Henry Jackson Society

  • Chaired by Thomas Nurcombe, Senior Researcher, Coalition for Global Prosperity

Britain's Global Future Late Night Reception: Renewing Leadership on International and Coastal Development
Hosted by the Coalition for Global Prosperity and Conservative Friends of the Ocean

Join us for an exclusive drinks reception highlighting the UK’s key role in championing international development and coastal communities globally. The UK has a unique opportunity to shape a more sustainable and equitable future supporting coastal communities, protecting our oceans, and advancing international development. This event will feature The Rt Hon Dame Penny Mordaunt DBE as a special guest speaker.

  • The Rt Hon Dame Penny Mordant DBE, former Secretary of State for Defence and former Secretary of State for International Development

  • Ryan Henson, Chief Executive Officer, Coalition for Global Prosperity

  • Marc Nykolyszyn, Director, Conservative Friends of the Ocean

Beyond Charity: A Conservative Aid Budget for the 2030s
Hosted by the Coalition for Global Prosperity and Malaria No More UK

The case for international development goes beyond morality; it is a strategic pillar of the UK’s foreign policy and national security. British leadership has been crucial in stabilising regions, preventing conflicts, and offering resolutions to global health crises. This panel will explore how Conservatives can rethink international development and align foreign policy priorities with the UK’s national security objectives. 

  • Ryan Shorthouse, Founder and Executive Chair, Bright Blue

  • Victoria Fowler, Head of UK Advocacy, Malaria No More 

  • Resham Kotecha, Director, Conservative Friends of India

  • Eliot Keck, Head of Campaigns, TaxPayer’s Alliance

  • Chaired by Ryan Henson, Chief Executive Officer, Coalition for Global Prosperity

Monday 6th October

14:30pm - 15:30pm
Exchange 2-3 Manchester Central Convention Complex, Inside Secure Zone

Monday 6th October

16:00pm - 17:00pm
Exchange 2-3 Manchester Central Convention Complex, Inside Secure Zone

Monday 6th October

10:30pm - 12:30am
Exchange 2-3 Manchester Central Convention Complex, Inside Secure Zone

Tuesday 7th October

10:00am - 11:00am
Exchange 2-3 Manchester Central Convention Complex, Inside Secure Zone

Axis of Authoritarianism: Can Britain Confront Threats to the Global Order?
Hosted by the Coalition for Global Prosperity and Conservatives in Foreign Policy

The world has become more dangerous, with the existing Western-led international order under significant strain. Compounding these challenges is the rise of an “axis of autocracies” where bad actors seek to undermine the rules-based order. ​This panel will explore how the UK can reassert itself as a global power and tackle the rising influence and impact of those nations looking to undermine our security and prosperity.​ 

  • The Rt Hon Dame Priti Patel DBE MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign Commonwealth and Development Affairs

  • The Rt Hon Iain Duncan Smith MP,  Member of Parliament for Chingford and Woodford Green

  • Ryan Henson, Chief Executive Officer, Coalition for Global Prosperity

  • Chaired by Dr Ranj Alaaldin, Director, Conservatives in Foreign Policy

Power, Security and the Critical Minerals Race

The global race for critical minerals has become a defining feature of geopolitics over the last century. For the UK, the need to diversify supply chains and strengthen domestic capabilities is vital in counteracting the threat of scarcity within global supply chains. This panel will explore how the use of critical minerals affects economic, national, and international security within global supply chains.

  • Bradley Thomas, Member of Parliament for Bromsgrove

  • Jack Richardson - Head of Policy at Octopus, Adjunct Fellow at Council on Geostrategy

  • Rachel Carnac - Co-Founder of Metal Events Limited

  • Kirsty Benham - Founder of Critical Minerals Association

  • Chaired by Zoe Swanwick, Senior Researcher, Coalition for Global Prosperity

No One Left Behind: Funding the Final Fight to End HIV by 2030
Hosted by the Coalition for Global Prosperity and LGBT+ Conservatives

In an increasingly interconnected world, where health crises know no boundaries, a coherent global health strategy is vital for saving lives. The human cost of a diminishing aid budget is felt acutely within the HIV crisis that still engulfs sub-Saharan Africa. This panel will explore how the UK can champion key medical pathways and research, with consideration to how the UK can maintain progress towards the UNAIDS target to be reached in 2030.

  • Dr Ben Spencer MP, Shadow Minister for Department of Science, Innovation and Technology

  • Andrew Boff, Deputy Chair of the London Assembly

  • Melanie Scagliarini - Advocacy Manager, Action for Global Health

  • Mike Podmore - CEO,  Stop Aids

  • Chaired by Sophie Malby, Communications Manager, Coalition for Global Prosperity

Make Alliances Great Again: UK-US relations in an unstable world
Hosted by the Coalition for Global Prosperity 

President Trump’s return to power has introduced profound uncertainty for UK-US relations. The “special relationship” has been rooted in military cooperation, intelligence-sharing, and diplomatic alignment; the divergence between the UK and the US on global issues requires Britain to recalibrate its approach to transatlantic relations. This panel will examine how the UK can mitigate risks and maintain its strategic influence, amid Trump’s presidency.

  • The Rt Hon Mark Francois MP, Member of  Parliament for Rayleigh and Wickford

  • The Rt Hon Sir Alec Shelbrooke MP, Member of Parliament for Wetherby and Easingwold

  • Stuart Anderson MP, Member of  Parliament for South Shropshire

  • Olivia O’Sullivan, Director of UK in the World Programme, Chatham House

  • Chaired by Thomas Nurcombe, Senior Researcher, Coalition for Global Prosperity

Tuesday 7th October

11:30am - 12:30pm
Exchange 2-3 Manchester Central Convention Complex, Inside Secure Zone

Tuesday 7th October

13:00pm - 14:00pm
Exchange 2-3 Manchester Central Convention Complex, Inside Secure Zone

Tuesday 7th October

14:30pm - 15:30pm
Exchange 2-3 Manchester Central Convention Complex, Inside Secure Zone

Tuesday 7th October

16:00pm - 17:00pm
Exchange 2-3 Manchester Central Convention Complex, Inside Secure Zone