


*Minutes and speeches available here*

	ABOUT THE CONFERENCES
	WHERE WE MEET Church House, Westminster General Assembly Hall, Church House	The Congresses for Democracy - of which there have so far been nine - are held twice a year at Church House, Dean's Yard, Westminster. They provide an opportunity to hear first class speakers and to meet fellow campaigners in attractive surroundings. The debate takes place in the General Assembly Hall and lunch and coffee breaks are taken in the Bishop Partridge and Hoare Memorial Halls. Bringing campaigners together is an important part of the Congress for Democracy. A buffet lunch is provided, so that guests can mingle and get to know each other in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Church House is a particularly appropriate venue for the Congresses for Democracy as it has played its own part in our nation's democracy. During the Second World War, Church House was used by both Houses of Parliament when London was bombed during the Blitz. Many historic speeches and events took place within the building during this time, including the announcement by Winston Churchill of the sinking of the Battleship Bismarck. In 1945 the first meetings of the United Nations Preparatory Commission and Security Council were held at Church House. Over the years. many national meetings of importance have been held in the building.
Congress photos: Derek Bennett
GUEST SPEAKERS AT THE CONGRESSES FOR DEMOCRACY The Nine Congresses for Democracy were attended by MPs, MEPs and Peers from across the political spectrum, by business leaders and trade unionists and by individuals and groups campaigning for an independent pound and for a referendum on the EU Constitution. The distinguished guest speakers, listed below, who have addressed our Congresses reflect the diversity of the Congress participants. (The texts of all their speeches are on this website). Second Congress - 9 July 1999 The Rt Hon William Hague MP, Leader, Conservative Party The Rt Hon Lord Shore of Stepney, Chairman, Labour Euro Safeguards Campaign Third Congress - 10 December 1999 Dr Mifsud Bonnici, former Prime Minister of Malta Pia Kjærsgaard MP, Member of Danish Parliament Ruth Lea, Head of Policy, Institute of Directors Doug Nicholls, General Secretary, Community & Youth Workers' Union Senator Gordon Smith, Chairman, US Senate European Affairs Committee Fourth Congress - 14 July 2000 Lord Bell of Belgravia, Chairman, Conservative Keep the Pound Campaign Jens-Peter Bonde, MEP, Leader, Danish "No" Campaign Frederick Forsyth, Chairman, Congress for Democracy Constitutional Sub-Committee Daniel Hannan MEP (Conservative) Austin Mitchell MP, Co-Chairman, Congress for Democracy Charles Pasqua, former French Interior Minister Mike Woodin, Principal Speaker, Green Party Fifth Congress - 2 February 2001 Anthony Coughlan, Trinity College, Dublin Larry Elliott, Economics Editor, The Guardian Daniel Hannan MEP (Conservative) Professor Trevor Hartley, London School of Economics Simon Wolfson, Managing Director, Next plc Sixth Congress - 13 July 2001 Roger Helmer (Conservative) Roger Pincham, Liberal Democrat Sir Oliver Wright, GCMG GCVO DSC, former British Ambassador to the United States and Germany Seventh Congress - 1 March 2002 Marie Lou Guerrero, Chairman, Gibraltar Federation of Small Businesses David Heathcoat-Amory MP, member, Convention on the Future of Europe Eighth Congress - 1 November 2002 John Cryer MP, Secretary, Labour Against The Euro Dr Brian Burkitt, University of Bradford David Heathcoat-Amory MP, member, Convention on the Future of Europe Ninth Congress - 16 May 2003 Martin Howe QC The Rt Hon Lord Howell of Guildford, Opposition Spokesman on Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, House of Lords Nigel Smith, Chairman, No Campaign