Saturday Six 7 - The (mostly) Lib Dem Conference edition

This week's selection are mostly related to Politics, the Liberal Democrat Conference, and Conference Politics.

First up, Jennie casts her eye over the Lib Dem leadership runners and riders - and succinctly demonstrates why there is no vacancy.

My fellow Bristol Lib Dem Alex Marsh lists what he feels to be the good, the bad and the indifferent things of the conference. His article contains a link to this interesting story by Patrick Wintour in the Guardian. It suggests that even though we pride ourselves on our party democracy, that doesn't mean there is still some element of stage-management going on behind the scenes.

Following on in that theme - this piece from Stephen Tall suggests we need to re-think the way party democracy works in forming policy.

Away from politics, James Allen is concerned about the future of Formula one.

Finally, this piece in The Sun has, understandably, provoked a mixed reaction amongst Lib Dems. Nick achieving "Hero" status in a Murdoch rag was never going to play that well. My view is that it is gives a glimmer of hope of fairer treatment from the papers and I've few problems with it as long as it isn't a sign that this element of the press is being courted. I'm not holding my breath through and reckon Villain status will be restored soon!

Andrew

Conference Notes - 2

More notes from my experience at the 2012 Lib Dem Conference in Brighton.

The Meedja

There was a sense, at the start of the week, that the media had a pre-written narrative. Party activists would be unhappy with Clegg, a leadership challenge was in the offing and conference would be in a rebellious mood.

None of the above was particularly evident. Whilst it would be foolish to suggest that there aren't those with concerns - after all, if you get 2,000 politically active people together they are going to be a wide variety of views on how to deal with any given issue - there was not a groundswell of opinion against Nick Clegg who was warmly received at all his appearances on the floor of conference.

On the last day I got accosted by a cameraman and reporter who were clearly on a fishing exercise for party members unhappy with the current direction - particularly in regard to taxation policy and the pace of progress towards greater wealth taxes. Some sort of inner filter kicked in and I'm pretty sure all my answers will have ended up on a cutting room floor - whatever my own views were, I'd be damned if I were giving the press more fodder.

[As it happens, of course, my views on the subject and the awareness of the realities of coalition government meant that it wasn't too difficult to be a loyalist in this regard. I merely said that I was confident that the issues were being raised within Government, the extent to which Nick raised the issues in public was a matter for his judgement. On whether greater Wealth taxes would be delivered by 2015 and if Nick would have failed if not, I was (again) confident that the case was being argued by him.]

Random Ministers

Conference exists within a bubble, with most events taking place in the either the conference centre or the conference hotel. You're surrounded by other Liberal Democrats and a security cordon. And you never know who you'll see next with government ministers, party grandees and parliamentarians rushing around.

Those who are more enthusiastic (by which I mean Liberal Youth) are liable to buttonhole ministers and insist on photos. I merely contented myself with a photo of Nick in the exhibition centre, some on the floor of conference and a few conversations with the Bristol West MP Stephen Williams whom I already knew.

Twitter Friends

One of the best thing about conference was meeting lots and lots of people I've previously only known through Twitter. Many hugs were had.

Like Mindedness

I mentioned this above - but it is fantastic to be around lots of people with whom you share a political outlook and philosophy  Whilst you may still disagree on some issues, they are people  who share your instincts, beliefs and values. People who are (broadly) all pulling in the same direction.

Stand-out Moments

There were so many of these - but here are a couple.

The Medically Assisted Dying debate - it's a difficult and emotive issue but one that will not go away, particularly as medical science advances. The amendment proposed in this debate would have called for a Royal Commission to explore the issue further but conference voted for the party to be in favour of allowing it.

The round of applause that greeted Nick when he said during his Q&A session on the floor of conference:

"Were we right or not, in that agonising moment after that last General Election, to enter into Government at all, in a coalition; which by definition includes compromise. To my dying day, I firmly believe that we did the right thing by going into coalition."

Whilst there may be differences between the activists and the parliamentary party and leadership - the vast majority of conference-goers believe that coalition was the right thing to do in 2010. That's something the media should get their heads around.

Andrew

Conference Notes - 1

As many of you know, I spent Friday to Wednesday in Brighton at the Liberal Democrat Conference. It was a great experience which I loved from beginning to end. My phone died on the way home which gave me ample opportunity to write notes which form the basis of this post.

I've eschewed too much structure and gone for a disjointed, ad-hoc approach to recording my thoughts. I've included some notes on Nick Clegg's key speech - but intend re-reading and/or re-watching before elaborating. It appears my initial opinion at odds with some of my colleagues in the party.

They tried to make me go to Glee Club...

...and indeed I went. When I first heard about glee club (via Twitter at previous conferences), I was deeply sceptical as to whether it would appeal. Even before I headed off to conference, though, I had put it in my diary - and I'm glad I did. It was immense fun although difficult to describe to the uninitiated. After a week of debates, fringe meetings and receptions it is a chance to let your hair down.

The alcohol flows and songs are sung: Liberal Anthems, National (and Regional) Anthems and all sorts of self-parodic songs are performed. We are not afraid to take the mick out of ourselves - which is a healthy trait when you have to put up with some of the stuff our party has to.

Regular Motions

Whilst conference eating can play havoc with your body's processes, there are no shortage of motions being debated on the conference floor. Or maybe there were - depending on your interests. It was notable there were no motions on International matters or policy, for example.

But regardless, the ultimate purpose of conference is to make policy for the party - not to confirm or rubber-stamp policy but to make it.*

Any member can be a voting member (subject to election through their Local Party processes) and can then vote as the see fit on the floor of conference. Lib Dem conference attendees are Representatives, not Delegates.

The tone of debates is civilised with opposing opinions being respectfully heard and applauded - even when the mood of the floor is largely against. The debate I personally enjoyed most was on Medically Assisted Dying - an important issue on which I think it is important for their to be a truly Liberal voice. Conference voted to retain and strengthen our existing policy that Medically Assisted Dying should be provided for by the state.

Another key debate was on the Justice and Security Bill on which party activists voted against the leadership amendment and demonstrated a Liberal freedom of mind.

Lib Dems: Fiscally Responsible, Socially Responsible

This was my immediate summary of Nick Clegg's end of conference speech. He had started the speech by talking of the values of British people as illustrated over the Olympic and Paralympic games and also as evidenced following last summer's riots and identified with them as common to our values. Values which are required to see us through both the challenges facing the Government and the challenges facing the party.

It was, I thought, a positive speech: not defensive but affirmative. With the monkey which was the apology for the Tuition Fees debacle off hiss back, Clegg went back to basics on our Liberal values and the fundamental belief in freedom of opportunity which defines us as a party.

He contrasted us with both Labour and the Conservatives - decrying the Tory backsliding on green issues and insisted that Growth had to be Green Growth.

It was, as I said, positive and uplifting. True, it may not have been soaring oratory but it was measured,  concise and focused; clear and delivered with feeling. It was refreshingly short on bluster and party-political pointscoring. It was about us - as a party and as a party of government.

As I said above, I am going to re-read the speech and write a fuller post - but these were my first reactions.  

Andrew

*but see tomorrow's Saturday Six for more nuanced background on this...

K25 Part 9 - Flower

I've been away (of which more later) and so I missed the chance to post this on Tuesday: Kylie's new single, from her upcoming Abbey Road Sessions album.

Those of you who have followed this series of posts will recall that the first two - here and here - already featured two songs from those from the sessions; the album looks set to be a cracker!

The single has been released as the latest treat in the K25 celebrations. It's a beautiful ballad which was originally considered for her 10th studio album, X. It wasn't included but was part of the set on the accompanying tour. 

This new version has a sumptuous orchestral backing, and a floaty, dreamy video. It's simply wonderful!

Enjoy!

Andrew

NOW! That's What I Call A Tune! 51

This week's featured NOW! album features one of my favourite songs of all time - the Stereophonics with their version of Handbags and Gladrags. I really couldn't look past this, once spotted:

Andrew