My First Federal Conference

When I first decided to go to Conference I have to admit I was a little swayed by it being in my home town, but being a Federal Conference First Timer, I did have concerns about not knowing anyone but luckily, a friend who is also a Conference Veteran, (at both LibDem and Labour I must add) took me under his wing and even humored me when going to starter Training Courses.

I also met up with some people in both Liverpool and Glasgow and managed to bend there ears about issues, as well as adding new and interesting people to Facebook. I attended some very interesting training session including the very exciting software program used by the Obama Campaign “Connect” and very informative session on getting selected and tie management with Liverpool’s own Erica Kemp. I didn’t get to spend as much time as I hoped in the main Hall, but glad I took up the opportunity to use the Training available. I also managed to go to a session run by ALDC with Tim Farron and Paddy Ashdown on the panel.

It was also good news for a few LibDem Colleagues including Ewan Hoyle from Glasgow and his motion “Protecting Individuals and Communities from Drug Harms” and Dijj Davies with his Blood Ban Motion, luckily both which have passed.

I guess I don’t really have anything to compare it with, but really think that the Conference was well run and am proud of the way Birmingham handled itself. I had heard of problems and even violence against Conference Attendees when it was in Sheffield, but quickly felt at ease outside the main venues.

I did have a very interesting conversation after hijacking a lost lobbyist on the way to New Street Station on my way home to Liverpool. When I asked why he was at conference, he said he was talking to MP’s and policy makers on Land Mines. You have to wondered if he would of been doing this at LibDem Conference a few years ago. He also said he was probably more likely to vote for Nick Clegg after hearing him speak and a Q&A.

It sounds like a cliche I know, but I am definitely fired up for Conference In Newcastle in 2012, and have already booked my accommodation. For anyone debating about whether to attend, do it. Its an amazing feeling to be part of the decision process, in only a way that LIbDems are, and I’m not sure any other party would have so many Minsters and senior party members at so many Fringe events. In one of the training sessions, we were asked to talk about any interesting hobbies we had. I did comment that with work and Politics, I don’t have any time for hobbies, and it was said that if you are doing politics properly, thats the way it should be! I definitely have the Conference Bug!

Anger towards a LibDem MP

A post put on a LibDem MP's Facebook profile and my reply:

"Do you think Nick Clegg has bitten off more than he can chew by sitting down with the devil and sharing a meal. I voted Liberal Democrats because of the promises made during the campaign and every 1 single 1 has been broken so far. How does the coalition Gov propose we compete with the likes of China and India when education is been priced out of the reach of the masses. I can totally understand why the students have yet taken to the streets again. They have been lied to as we all have too."

My answer:

To make a valid argument can you please list the 'every single' promise that the LibDems have made and broken?

Surely if every person had both registered to vote and voted for the LibDems then we would be now governed by a LibDem government. But they didn't. Policies by the Conservative government have been made fairer and watered down by the LibDems, but they are only one member of the coalition, with 23% of the national vote, but only 57 seats in parliament under the FPP system.

I don't know the ins and outs of the figures, but with the mess Labour left us in, I believe Nick Clegg when he says that we are not in a position to be able to afford scrapping Tuition fees. I would rather he was honest about this than scrapping tuition fees and face putting the country into more financial trouble. He wouldn't of put himself into this position if it was possible. He does want to win the next election.

If you want to blame or direct your anger to anyone, it surely should be the Tories? If you are indeed a LibDem supporter, would you prefer to see a Tory majority?

Councillor stands down from LibDem group on Council

Interesting to see this councillors decision to stand down from the LibDem group on her council. She says she is doing it for personal reasons.

You have to admire her commitment and conviction. I guess it would depend on what she feels she has in the way of support in the local area, and whether people have voted for her or her party.

I certainly dont agree with everything the party does, but you are sometimes better staying and changing it from within, as I believe in the intrinsic values of the party, and that you can depend on them to support freedom and equality.

Here is the original story.

Court Decides in favour of LibDem Candidate

A judge has just found in favour of Elwyn Watkins, and that the campaign run by the his Labour opponent, Phil Woolas, was illegal, and Mr Woolas's unable to stand for Parliement for 3 years.

The Court considered a few main points printed in Labour Campaign Literature (amongst others),

• Woolas's team stated that Watkins was wooing Muslim Voters who advocated extremist views and violence against Non-Muslims
• Watkins had spent over £200,000 on his campaign, labelling him as Mr Money Bags, and that he had spent in excess of what had been declared, of which some of the money had come from a Saudi Business Man.
• Watkins had reneged on his promise to move to the constituency during the campaign

Mr Watkins does have an alleged pro-Palestinian stance, but the court didn't accept that this could be seen as pro-extremist.

The court found in favour of Mr Watkins and has informed the speaker of their judgement. A new election is now due to be announced.

I remember hearing about this case during and after the election through the LibDem grapevine, and being shocked then. It seems Labour were quite willing to stoop to any level to win the election, maybe aware of their chances of winning being slim to say the least. The court judgement definitely makes interesting reading (their is a more concise version on the court website, as the full judgement is 57 pages, some of which is in legal speak)

Some commentator have suggested that this is a bad day for campaigning, and I'm sure parties across the country will be reading the judgement with interest. I'm not personally convinced that this is a knock for free speech. Having read much of the judgement, the Judges have considered the right to free speech, but feel that having made false statements was in breech of The Representation Of The People Act.

I guess only time will tell.

Full Judgement Here

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/8114201/Digraced-Phil-Woolas-and-the-plot-to-get-angry-white-votes.html

Elwyn Watkins Statement here.

OfCom asked to investigate BSkyB acquisition

Finally the Coalition government has decided to ask OfCom to investigate BSkyB's proposed acquisition of the percentage of Sky that it doesn't own.

Have a feeling this wouldn't of happened it it had been a Tory government. I'm sure we can expect some nasty skeletons coming out of the closet over the coming months to make government ministers climb down. Luckily they won't be able to bribe OfCom...well you hope so.

See the report here.