Verdant at Labour and Green Party Conferences 2026
Verdant fringe sessions at the Green Party Conference 2026 - scroll down for all the details.
Labour Party Conference, Liverpool
Tuesday 29th September
12:00-13:00 - Food for All: How do we address the economics of the food system that protects households, farmers, and the planet?
With climate change, the Iran War and El Niño combining this year to create major new threats to the world’s food systems, this session will build on recent work by the Right to Food Commission, Verdant and others to explore options for a radical overhaul of how we ensure affordable prices and fairness for growers.
Panel: John McDonnell MP (Labour Party), Ian Byrne MP (Labour Party) and Deborah Doane (Verdant)
Chair: James Meadway (Verdant)
Venue: Liverpool Quaker Meeting House - hosted by Verdant
Green Party Conference, Brighton
Friday 2nd October
12:15-13:15 - The New ’Normal’: adapting to the climate crisis
The UK is no longer a cold country. With 2026 due to become the hottest summer on record, and half of the country in drought, adapting to our new climate reality should be at the top of the political agenda. The Green Party has long been a thought-leader in this space. This event will explore how the Greens would manage the climate crisis, and how they can influence the government to urgently respond to the scale of the challenge.
Panel: Rachel Millward (deputy leader Green Party), Becca Massey-Chase (IPPR) and James Meadway (Verdant)
Venue: Buckingham Room, Hilton Brighton Metropole - hosted by IPPR and Verdant
15.45-16.30 - How do we build the public transport we need? Fiscal devolution and infrastructure investment
This panel will explore how further devolution of powers and tax revenue can support the development and delivery of key public infrastructure, allowing cities and regions to pay for projects themselves. Key figures will discuss how investment in projects such as the Bakerloo Line Upgrade and Extension can deliver affordable homes, jobs and sustainable growth across the UK.
Panel: Cllr James McAsh (Chair of Central London Forward and Leader of Southwark Council), Liam Shrivastava (Mayor of Lewisham) and Deborah Doane (Verdant)
Chair: Antonia Jennings (Chief Executive of Centre for London)
Venue: Room TBC, Grand Hotel Brighton, hosted by Central London Forward
15.45-16.30 - Beating the hostile environment on welfare
Huge cuts to the welfare system made since 2010 are a major driver of the rising levels of deep poverty and destitution we see today. Meanwhile, a hostile media environment and wilful misinformation from political actors fuels negative public opinion of the welfare system, making delivering much needed investment fraught with political risk. Join us to discuss how social security policy can be designed and communicated to cut through the misinformation, speak to core values much of the public hold dear and deliver the lasting change needed for the millions of people struggling to get by.
Panel: Daisy Sands (JRF), Sian Berry MP (Green Party) and James Meadway (Economist and co-director of Verdant)
Chair: Oli Dugmore (New Statesman)
Venue: Buckingham Room, Brighton Hilton Metropole - hosted by JRF
19.30 - Get Vocal at the Verdant Social
Join the newest think tank on the block for an evening of karaoke, conversations and craft beer. Free entry, pizza available to order, everyone welcome. Let’s end the first day of the conference on a high note!
Venue: Mad Dog Brewery Taproom, 24 Duke St, Brighton BN1 1AG
Saturday 3rd October
10:15-11:00 - Ideas to Win: How do we take Green values into government?
From protecting workers during heatwaves to fair taxation to confronting fossil fuel giants, what are the bold ideas we need in a chaotic world? And how do we translate these radical policies into winning political power?
Panel: Hannah Spencer MP (Green Party), Faiza Shaheen (Tax Justice UK) and James Meadway (Verdant Thinking)
Chair: Martin Edobor (Chair, Verdant Thinking)
Venue: Pavilion Room, Grand Brighton Hotel - hosted by Verdant