The issue of a large and fully accessible Conference venue in Britain had
been discussed many times, not only by BCODP but also at the TUC's Disability
meetings roughly around the time Linda Laurie spoke about.
Mike Bramley and myself, for example, raised it in the MSF union. In 1991 as
a Policy Officer within Birmingham Social Services I wrote a paper asking for
a feasibility study around this issue. This paper was blocked by the Tories
who said I could only go ahead with it if I could secure private money FIRST.
Obtaining capital has always been the greatest barrier - I had argued for the
Conference Centre to be built in Birmingham not because I was an empire
builder, but rather due to its central location and the hope that I could attract
money from Richard Branson. It's a dream I've harboured all these years and
still believe in.
Bob Williams-Findlay
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