Our events at Conservative Party Conference 2026
Birmingham
Sunday 4th October - Tuesday 6th October
Join us at Conservative Party Conference where we'll be hosting an extensive programme of fringe events to debate environmental issues and conservative solutions.
All our events will be held in the dedicated CEN room in Hall 10A inside the International Convention Centre.
You can also find us at our stand in the main hall where each day we will be highlighting a different campaign and offering themed merchandise.
We'll be updating this webpage with even more speakers as we announce them.
Monday 5th October
09:00 - 10:00 | How can we power the AI revolution?
Data centres are poised for enormous growth as the use of AI continues to transform the economy and industry. However, attention is quickly turning to our creaking infrastructure and whether Britain can accommodate this expected growth without overly burdening consumers. Some data centres are taking their destiny into their own hands by building their own sources of renewable generation. What more can be done to ensure Britain benefits from AI?
10:30 - 11:30 | Our future, built here: Can clean energy actually deliver security and jobs?
With two energy crises in five years, building the UK’s energy security and resilience through domestic energy is more important than ever. Successive governments have promised a green jobs bonanza from new infrastructure including electricity networks and renewables, but can these projects create well-paid jobs for British workers without pushing up prices? What is the Conservative approach to strengthening domestic energy supply chains?
Speakers: Harriet Cross MP (Shadow Scotland Secretary); Daisy Powell-Chandler (Partner and Head of Energy and Environment Practice, Public First), and Max Anderson (Head of Communications, CEN).
12:00 - 13:00 | Unleashing the market: What is the Conservative approach to financing new energy infrastructure?
The Iran War and our sky-high energy prices have shown the need for more domestic energy generation and radical action to lower bills. The Conservatives have pledged to scrap policies like the Emissions Trading Scheme and the Renewables Obligation, but this could unsettle the investors needed to build new energy generation. How can a future Conservative government keep bills low while keeping investors onside and the cost of capital low?
Speakers: David Reed MP (Shadow Foreign Minister); Sam Richards (Director, Britain Remade); and Dillon Smith (Head of Policy, CEN).
13:30 - 14:30 | Should Britain still aspire to be the Saudi Arabia of wind? The role of renewables in Conservative energy policy
The last Conservative government made huge strides on renewables. But for some, renewables are to blame for the UK’s high electricity prices, with Labour’s Clean Power target further increasing bills. The Iran crisis has proven again the cost of gas dependency and the value of homegrown energy in an era of volatile geopolitics. So what is the future for renewables in Conservative energy policy? Can costs be reduced without undermining investment?
15:00 - 16:00 | Powering Britain’s comeback: How can we have cheap electricity?
The UK has some of the most expensive electricity in the world. If we don’t electrify, we will become more reliant on imports, global competitors will overtake us, and we will fail to see much needed economic growth. But with volatile gas setting electricity prices, and legacy levies and network costs driving up costs, how can we afford to electrify? Could bold reforms to our energy markets help lower the cost of electricity?
Speakers: Andrew Bowie MP (Shadow Energy Secretary); Harriet Cross MP (Shadow Scotland Secretary); Daisy Powell-Chandler (Partner and Head of Energy and Environment Practice, Public First); Dhara Vyas (Chief Executive, Energy UK); and John Flesher (Acting Executive Director, CEN).
16:30 - 17:30 | Private v Public: who should fund nature restoration?
Conservatives have long believed in being responsible stewards of our natural heritage, ensuring it continues to support farming, businesses, and communities for generations to come. But to fund nature conservation properly, we need to unlock significantly more private investment. How do we drive best value for money from limited taxpayer funding? How will recovering nature support our future prosperity? Does it have to mean taxes and red tape?
Speakers: Neil Hudson MP (Shadow Environment Minister); Maxwell Marlow (Director of Public Affairs, Adam Smith Institute); and Elliott Malik (Nature Programme Officer, CEN).
18:00 - 19:00 | Pub quiz
Join us for this light-hearted social event bringing together all groups within our network, from supporters to MPs. Beginning with a short introductory speech, the quiz rounds will cover topics including politics, general knowledge, and energy, with each round being hosted by a different political figure.
19:30 - 21:30 | CEN energy drinks reception
The last Conservative Party Conference saw the party announce its Cheap Power Plan and its intention to repeal the Climate Change Act. One year on, how has their strategy on climate and energy been developing? With Labour, Greens and Reform all taking highly ideological (but diametrically opposed) approaches to energy, how can the Conservatives promote a fiscally responsible, market-led approach to protect our environment and to cut energy bills?
Tuesday 6th October
10:30 - 11:30 | Electrifying growth: How do we unlock energy abundance in Britain?
We are stuck with some of the highest electricity prices in the developed world. If we are serious about economic growth, unlocking cheap power is essential. But we should aim higher - to a world of higher demand and true energy abundance - not hairshirt environmentalism that lectures us to use less. How do we enable this brighter future, and what role do energy networks have to play in getting bills down and usage up?
Speakers: Greg Hands (Former Conservative Party Chairman); Julia Willemyns (Co-founder, Centre for British Progress); and Max Anderson (Head of Communications, CEN).
12:00- 13:00 | Is climate change or a Labour government the biggest threat to British food security?
2026 has been a brutal year for farmers. An extraordinarily wet winter has been followed by a record-breaking summer of sweltering heat and drought driven by climate change. Many farmers were already struggling to make ends meet against a backdrop of ever higher taxes and regulation and funding uncertainty from this Labour government. How can we best support farmers as they wrestle with unparalleled threats to our food security?
Speakers: Victoria Atkins MP (Shadow Environment Secretary); Cllr Marissa Heath (Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, Surrey County Council); Martin Lines (CEO, Nature Friendly Farming Network); and John Flesher (Acting Executive Director, CEN).
13:30 - 14:30 | The Great British heatwave: Are our homes fit for purpose?
Britain has been sweltering in record-breaking temperatures, driven by our changing climate. Given this will only get worse, we need to adapt our homes to ensure our health, quality of life, and economy don’t suffer. What role should air conditioning and measures like opening roof windows play in cooling our homes? And how can we make them more attractive to consumers? Join us to discuss a conservative approach to make our homes fit for the future.
Speakers: David Simmonds MP (Shadow MHCLG minister); Thomas Turrell AM (Environment and Transport Spokesman); Kitty Thompson (Head of Policy and Campaigns, Create Streets); and Isabel Goodwin (Head of Outreach, CEN).
15.00- 16.00 | Energy independence: Can domestic gas production deliver energy security?
The Iran-US war shows how vulnerable the UK’s energy supply is to global events. Expanding domestic energy production can deliver energy security. But how much additional oil and gas is viable to be extracted in the North Sea or via fracking? What role could greener gases such as biomethane or hydrogen play? Can we bolster gas production and balance climate concerns? Long term, is the route to energy security via oil and gas or electrification?
Speakers: Andrew Bowie MP (Shadow Scotland Secretary); Tara Singh (CEO, RenewableUK); Nic Crowe (Development and Government Affairs Director, Green Gas Taskforce); and Dillon Smith (Head of Policy, CEN).
