Josh's Blog

Saw Gordon’s speech today. For me, the first taste of real conference action (and really making my work seem worthwhile, to be a little part of all this). The speech was really really great – the new policies announced, avoiding stooping to the level of the Tories and Lib Dems; totally ignoring them even, not announcing a general election (well, duh… even if he was to do it around now, he’d do it during Tory conference.) Above all though, it was a prime minister’s speech, one of a statesman, and one of a fantastic leader for the party and the country, and he should have laid to rest all concern over his legitimacy by now.

One thing I didn’t like was the small focus on the EU. (nb: I firmly believe that we need to be more involved in Europe, not constantly seeking opt outs, and making the Union all we can make it. I think concern over tradition and our currency is largely unfounded and we shouldn’t let it get in the way of our future.)  We could have done with more talk over Europe. It wasn’t going to happen in something this high profile, of course, but I wish it would.

Anyway, a great speech, really glad to have seen it. To quote someone from the LP message boards: “In Gord we trust”!

So, my first day at my first party conference. It went something like this:

Oh-eight-forty-one Southwest trains service to Bournemouth. Was delayed by 20 minutes, then somehow on time again. Arrived at ten-forty-five, as scheduled.

£3.30 Taxi to actually very respectable Ramada Encore hotel where I’m staying, courtesy of the party. They didn’t know I was staying there, but apparently they do now, so I should have somewhere to sleep: win!

Arrived at late accreditation (my pass application got lost first time around) to collect my pass. This should have been very simple, but apparently mine wasn’t working properly so I had to wait. For two and a half hours. Met several interesting people, and wandered off to get some food. Heaven knows why reprinting a pass takes that long, but never mind.

Wandered up to the Highcliff Hotel, in the secure zone, where I’m working. A little surreal bumping into secretaries of state left right and centre (given how few of them there are, it’s surprising how much this happens.) I saw Alistair Darling at the station, Ruth Kelly held the door for me on the way in to the hotel, and walked down to the conference centre with Jacqui Smith. All very odd.

I spent most of the day running up and down the hill chasing after video questions for ministers, and running random errands. I missed our interview of Alistair D, which was a shame, but there’ll be plenty more to do through the week.

Anyway, I’m in the office now for a while, doing bits and bobs with videos and the website. I’ll be off in search of a lucky fringe event to feed me soon, and then it’ll be time for all the free lash. It’s all about getting in to that conference groove!