New Lib Dem Party Political Broadcast featuring my pics

As seen before his speech to conference yesterday. All the stills are from various visits that Nick has done around the country that I've gone to.

Town mottos

I know a lot of people have commented on the inane nature of missions statements, mottos and the like, but two that I saw while I was in the North West amused me especially:

The time is Knowsley

and

Oldham - We're in it together

Liverpool - why it was great...

I'm back in Cornwall and reflecting on the weekend. There were some obvious highs and lows:

- As everyone seems to agree, the Crowne Plaza was a great conference hotel. The staff were hugely helpful and friendly. I know they'll not read this, but Tom the concierge and Frank the doorman were especially brilliant so thank you to them.

- The hotel I stayed at in Bootle was also fab. Really cheap and chearful but friendly and clean. £25 a night well spent.

- Liverpool Lib Dems did a great job in organising their end of things.

- Unfortunately, I thought that the conference centre was still a work in progress. From the smell of paint everywhere to the tiny, badly lit and overcrowded fringe rooms, it just didn't work in my opinion. I know it's not finished yet and it will hopefully get better in time, but Ididn't like it.

- I also didn't like the long walk between the hotel and conference venue. This was caused by the new conference centre hotel not being built yet. When it is then the walk will be very short indeed. The downside being that we won't be using the wonderful Crowne Plaza.

- And as for the wind tunnel between the conference centre and building opposite - the architect ought to be shot.

The talk is now of an autumn conference there. So long as everything is finished then I would be up for that. But it would have to be on a weekend when Liverpool were not playing at home simply because there is a real accommodation crisis if there is a clash. The trouble is that I don't think such a guarantee could be made (the conference booking has to be made before the fixture list is known). This alone would, I think, put the kibosh on things.

Joke of the weekend

The joke of the weekend (told by almost everyone I talked to all weekend):

"Liverpool. A great city... When it's finished."

Nick Clegg's speech in pictures

Nick Clegg has just finished giving a fantastic speech. Others can do words on what they thought, but here are a few pictures from the event.

I'm off back to Cornwall now but will post further thoughts and photos later.

Saturday pictures

From top to bottom:
Vince Cable speaks to conference; and receives a standing ovation from the Leader; Nick Clegg joins the purple ribbon campaign to tackle gun violence following the murder of schoolboy Rhys Jones; Nick with local councillors and officers tours new social housing built by the Lib Dems in Norris Green; Nick joins a rugby session at Ellergreen Leisure Centre; Party President Simon Hughes addresses conference; Nick Clegg takes to the stage at the Glee Club.

Rally-tastic - in pictures

The first evening of conference traditionally sees a rally for party members. It's an occasion to, well, rally the troops. This conference was no exception with speeches from Carol Woods, PPC for the City of Durham, by-election winners Sarah Teather and Willie Rennie and from Party Leader Nick Clegg. The event was introduced by the ever genial Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool city council.