Fancy a beer and a fag with Farage?

Forest has been organising party conference events with varying degrees of success since 2005.

The best have exceeded all expectations, attracting hundreds of people or huge media interest (David Hockney in Brighton being the prime example of the latter).

The worst - well, let's draw a veil over the 2008 Labour conference in Manchester when former MSP Brian Monteith and I addressed an audience of twelve.

Last year, following a run of rather more successful events, including the original Freedom Zone and a wonderful night at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, Forest launched The Liberty Lounge.

It was OK but this year it will be bigger and better.

This year's event features a drinks reception and the return of Stand Up For Liberty! which attracted rave reviews when we trialled it in 2011.

The highlight, though, is a session we are calling A Beer and a Fag with Farage in honour of Tory MP (and GP) Sarah Wollaston who famously urged her party not to become the "party of booze and fags" in response to UKIP's success at the local elections.

Hosted by Forest, The Free Society and the Institute of Economic Affairs, A Beer and a Fag with Farage will feature UKIP leader Nigel Farage discussing lifestyle freedoms with IEA director-general Mark Littlewood.

Date: Monday September 30, 2013
Time: 6.00pm
Venue: The Comedy Store, Manchester

The Comedy Store is outside the secure zone so no passes required. Everyone welcome.

Make a note in your diaries now.