Blogging Conference 08: Tuesday & Wednesday

Here is my final report back on “what I did in Bournemouth”.

Tuesday

I spent most of Tuesday chatting to people around the conference centre and blogging. The result of which was 8 posts in a single day. Massively more than I have managed before.

I did get in the main hall for some business. However, this was the report of the Federal Executive and the debate on the annual membership subscription. Sad I know.

I went to only one fringe event, but it was a good one. The Liberal Democrat group in the House of Lords had organised a fringe on “Why nation states are failing”. William Wallace and Paddy Ashdown were the speakers. I’ve heard a lot of what Paddy said about the effects of globalisation and the impact on our security before, but it is good to be reminded of it. And Paddy is always an inspiration to listen to.

I will gloss over the evening in the bar and how it involved something to do with pirates.

Wednesday

The last day of conference took its usual pattern. I wandered down to the hall for the Leader’s speech and then up to the main conference hall to chat with other survivors and have a spot of lunch. Then the train journey home.

So how was conference?

For me personally and for the Party generally it was a good one. The atmosphere was very much more positive than I had expected. We seem to be comfortable with Nick Clegg as our leader and a relaxed but confident mood.

Personally I have returned refreshed and invigorated. I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with old friends and making new ones, and have been stimulated by the high quality of debate that I listened to.

For the Party this was I think a significant step on the way to making us better able to tackle the challenges ahead. Although I have my reservations about both, both the Bones Report and the new tax policy have moved the Party forward.

And the sun shone down on Bournemouth.

This content was originally posted on my old Process Guy blog.