My first federal conference: Enjoyable, Enlightening and Friendly
It is Thursday 5th March and I am up early with the prospect of driving to Harrogate to attend my first full conference. I am as excited as a small child going on a new adventure. I arrive early and wander around the town taking in all the sights. What a lovely town it is and the people so friendly!
On Friday 6th March the conference begins. I am a little nervous as I am not sure what to expect but soon realise that everyone is so friendly and ready to give advice on where to go and what to do. I go to a training session to begin all about public speaking, given by Candy Piercy and Sal Brinton, two excellent trainers. I learnt a lot from that session and will be practising all the tips they suggested as it will help me in my role as a Town Councillor.
Feeling slightly more confident I follow a huge crowd into the main auditorium to listen to a debate about education. The Lib Dems form their policies at Conference unlike other parties where policy is laid down by top officials largely without consultation with their members. We are truly democratic!
The most interesting debate for me was on University Tuition Fees. Following the motion proposer there were many speakers invited from the floor and a number of 1 minute interventions from 'last minute' speakers. Another speaker then sums up and a vote is taken. I have been elected as a 'Voting Representative' for Shepway and realise I am able to use my vote to assist in this new policy. The motion is carried almost unanimously.
Later there is a debate about crime, prisons and anti-social behaviour and how the Lib Dems would progress this subject if in Government. Briefly, our party's aim, for petty crime, vandalism and anti-social behaviour is to set up local community committees to ensure that such miscreants face up to their bad behaviour and, with encouragement, face their victims in an attempt to 'shame' the perpetrator - much more effective than prison where they only learn to be bigger criminals, it seems.
Following quite a long but enjoyable day, I relax with other friends from the local party with a few drinks and a meal! Bed early in preparation for a busy Saturday.
Amongst all the debates, training sessions, fringe meetings and the exhibition stands to be visited, two speeches planned for today are very clearly marked by me on my conference agenda. The first is from Howard Dean, formerly an American State Governor, a very big part of President Barack Obama's campaign team and, of course, a Democrat. Virtually everyone at conference attends and the auditorium is packed! It is a brilliant speech and, without hesitation he receives an overwhelming standing ovation. I am now looking forward to a speech from Vince Cable later in the day. He 'says it like it is' and is honest and direct. He is a brilliant economist - at least in my opinion and if only the Lib Dems could get into Government, we would have an extremely honest and sensible Chancellor of the Exchequer perhaps? His speech also attracts a quite spontaneous standing ovation from a very full auditorium.
Taking a leisurely stroll amongst the exhibition stands I find many interesting ideas, facts and a lot of good advice and, having collected many leaflets and papers along the way, now have a good deal of 'bedtime reading'!
I am delighted I decided to go to the Conference - it was thoroughly enjoyable, enlightening and most of all so friendly. I even went out to eat on Saturday with four people I had never met before, and we had a thoroughly good time with a lot of interesting conversation.
Now I have overcome my nervousness about attending Conference I shall certainly be going again and urge any member with even a mild interest, to take that step and go to Conference with the Liberal Democrats. I learnt a great deal and really felt part of a great team aiming to make a difference to our country and our people.
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