I am in Birmingham for the Liberal Democrats’ spring conference this weekend.

The Conference just before a general election is always a bit different. Many people who are usually here are back working in their constituencies. The level of policy debate diminishes as the party concentrates on making it’s pitch to the voters. There are no key policy changing debates. No serious rows in the conference hall. Instead a, hopefully clear and persuasive, articulation of our election themes.

My key impressions so far are that Birmingham works really well as a party conference venue. The prices are reasonable and not as extortionate as they sometimes are at these things.

Second that the level of media coverage is higher than I was expecting. A good sign. I’ve seen Newsnight’s Michael Crick out canvassing the views of conference goers. ITV are filming in the lobby of the conference hotel.

I did end up sitting behind Nick Clegg during Vince Cable’s, very good, speech this morning. I was in a direct line with the leader and the TV camera. So I may have ended up on telly myself!