Not quite the celebratory type, I'm afraid, but our participation in the political party conferences. Over recent years the Association’s profile, influence and involvement at government level has continued to grow, with our lobbying producing positive results and productive relationships being built with a number of key figures at various levels in government and within stakeholder organisations. However, as with any initiative, it is important to build on its success, and to spread its influence further.

With this in mind, this autumn saw the BPA take steps in a new direction, by participating in the three main political party conferences as part of the Transport Hub. Organised by the Freight Transport Association, the Transport Hub brings together organisations with similar aims and issues, to host a series of events highlighting key matters. The FTA have been running fringe events for a number of years and last year decided to establish the Transport Hub as a way of bringing together organisations Similar ventures for other issue areas have been very successful and have become part of the conference fixtures and fittings, promoting their interests effectively to key political and media audiences. Other members of the Hub include the Airport Operators Association, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and ACT Travelwise.

The Transport Hub plays host to wide-ranging discussions on a number of different topics. This year topics covered included road, rail, and aviation infrastructure, economic recovery and sustainable transport solutions. At each conference we were able to host a BPA-specific event, and also take part in the Transport Hub “Big Debate” and a drinks reception.

Our events looked at issues under the heading “Ending the war on the motorist: whose war is it anyway?”, following on from the then Transport Secretary Philip Hammond’s and Local Communities minister Eric Pickles’ use of the phrase earlier this year. We were lucky to be able welcome panellists with a variety of viewpoints including Richard Hebditch, from the Campaign for Better Transport, David Bayliss from the RAC Foundation (and also past President of the BPA), Cllr Sally Prentice from Lambeth, Cllr Daniel Moylan from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, transport commentator Christian Wolmar, and Alec Shelbrooke MP, amongst others. Each event was chaired by a BPA council member who kept proceedings moving.

Not only did each session give us and our panellists the chance to address the audience with our key messages, but questions were taken from conference delegates on a wide range of topics including private parking, adjudication and the draft National Planning Policy Framework. Encouragingly we spoke to a good number of local councillors whose portfolio included parking, and we will look to engage further with this group over the coming months.

Patrick Troy, BPA Chief Executive, was part of the panel at the Transport Hub’s Big Debate during the Conservative party conference, alongside the Minister for Transport Theresa Villiers MP, Luke Pollard from ABTA and Joerg Konrad of Kapsch TrafficCom, and presided over by Hilary Devey of Dragon’s Den fame.

At the Liberal Democrat conference, BPA president Paul Necus attended a dinner, where he discussed transport issues with MPs and Lords, drawing on his experience as both a BPA representative and parking manager.

Overall, this was a valuable first foray into the Association’s representation at the party conferences, and we will further develop our presence for next autumn’s conferences, drawing on our experiences and improving how we use them to our advantage.

This initiative is an excellent way of contributing to the objectives in the BPA’s Master Plan for Parking by influencing government and working with like-minded stakeholders. The BPA’s prominence in political circles continues to grow to the benefit of all members and this initiative is designed both to keep that momentum going and to cement our prominence with the three main political parties enabling us to more effectively lobby on behalf of members.