Another day in 'Libdemdom'...

By Sunday, I had just about got used to finding myself stood just metres away from Nick Clegg, Simon Hughes, Vince Cable or someone of equal epicness from the party...

As a result of a delayed breakfast and the added distraction of the Andrew Marr show on in the hotel lobby, I sadly missed most of the speech by Tavish Scott which I had aimed to see that morning.

Therefore, my first full session was the Consultative Session on Strategy from 10.40am-12.10pm.
Don't be fooled by the name - this was actually really interesting...
It was a discussion as to how the Lib Dems should alter their strategy to recruit support and new members following the coalition. Key points explored included:

1. We MUST separate ourselves from the Tories and reiterate that this is a coalition NOT a merge.
We can still keep our deal through passing Tory policies but show we don't necessarily agree with them. It was suggested that as Mr.Cable has done, more coalition key players need to reassure members that just because we've agreed to help pass them; we don't solidly agree with them.
There was also the idea that we need to 'shout from the rooftops' our successes in government, so the public knows who has done what. One person raised the idea of including Lib Dem achievements in editions of local focus papers; I thought this would be a particularly successful way of raising and keeping support.

2. Liberal Youth needs to be acknowledged as a vital, precious resource; the future of the party.
Liberal Youth wasn't mentioned at all within the first half of the session, I was rather concerned about this, so much so; I was considering making an intervention at half time. However, luckily I wasn't confident enough to do so as it was then focused on within the second half.

3. Activists need to be valued more.
Instead of just being handed a stack of leaflets to deliver.
Luckily, I have not experienced this as my local party have been extremely welcoming and appreciative but I can understand that this could be a problem elsewhere.

There were many other points made, but sadly I didn't take notes during this discussion - too busy listening!

After the Consultative Session, conference filled up rapidly with party members and much to my annoyance, the all consuming sprawl and chaos of the media...

Because Danny Alexander was due to make his first conference speech.
His speech centered around the cuts and he explained why they are being carried out; "Not because it is easy but because it is right."

With regards to the coalition, he described how; "One party at war with itself has been replaced by 2 united parties."And impressively pointed out how the Lib Dems have achieved key policies e.g. Increasing Capital Gains Tax and taking 900,000 low earners out of tax; all in 13 weeks. Labour had 13 years; and they failed to achieve this. He also pointed out how Labour shamefully promised money to communities when they knew there was "no money left" and how last year they spent £150 billion more than was payed by tax.

He reinforced the idea that efficiency savings alone will not solve the deficit, hence why cuts have to be made. He then proceeded to the tackling of tax avoidance and described how it was unacceptable at the best of times but now more so than ever. He therefore promised a fivefold increase in prosecutions, which would gather £7billion to help conquer the deficit.

After a truly inspiring, impressive, cleverly linked and worded speech...
He ended promising fairness was in his mind every step of the way; an outright promise to remain close to the values held as a Liberal Democrat within this coalition.

Next followed the Welsh Liberal Democrats presentation...
Much to my embarassment now; rather foolishly and in a typically English way, it had never occurred to me that Welsh Liberal Democrats even existed!
Therefore, I found this presentation particuarly interesting and informative...

Similarly to Danny Alexander, the Welsh Liberal Democrats talked about the betrayal of Labour and also Plaid Cymru through their current coalition. The coalition had promised the establishment of a daily Welsh newspaper, 6.5 thousand new homes, the recognition of Welsh as a language and to halve child poverty.
All of this hasn't yet been achieved.

Kirsty Williams, as a fairly new Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats has been making a huge impact already; it was explained how she condemned the coalition for waste; over £1 billion in health.

Liberal Democrat achievements in Wales include:
1. A complete review of overseas investment.
2. The separation of infertility and maternity patients in hospitals.
3. Guaranteed healthy eating in schools across Wales.
4. 40% CO2 reduction target.
5. Regeneration of Swansea; including the building of a huge leisure complex.
6. Passing of the "green dragon" law, a law which promotes eco-friendly behaviour.
7. Success in education; Wrexham has been Lib Dem territory for 6 years and 47% of grades are now between A-C at GCSE as a result of education strategy.
8. The regeneration of Cardiff.

Although perhaps slightly biased, the Welsh Lib Dems described how they were bringing new hope to the people of Wales.
From their extensive list of achievements, it really does seem that way.
In many ways, their presentation was just as inspiring to that of Danny Alexander's; it was brilliant to see such dedication, enthusiasm and team spirit.

Those who spoke at the conference were:
1. Kirsty Williams (Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats)
2.Councillor Aled Roberts (Leader of Wrexham Council)
3. Veronica German (Assembly Member for South East Wales)
4. Wyn Williams (Welsh Assembly Candidate for Montgomeryshire)

Next followed my final conference session but it was certainly a good way to end the whole experience;
Nick Clegg's Questions and Answers.
Managed to 'bagsy' some front seats, although this did have the disadvantage of media attention...
A lot of notes taken... 3.5 A4 sides to be precise!
Ideas explored included...

1. Could Nick still be trusted with the party?
Clegg replied yes and outlined some of the key Liberal Democrat policies that were being passed in government. For instance, taking 900,000 low earners out of tax, implementing a banking levy and a pupil premium. He acknowledged that the cuts weren't easy but pointed out it was unfair to leave our debt for future generations to deal with.

2. Many FE colleges are not fit for purpose, how will this be sorted?
Clegg promised the millions of pounds were to be injected into the FE budget and unlike Labour, this promise of funding would be kept. He also stressed the importance of more promotion of FE colleges as more often than not University is made to appear as the only option.

3. Pakistan Floods: Although 1.5million people have been covered by aid, this is not enough - how are the government helping?
Clegg talked of his own personal visit to the country and described how shocking it was, explaining how you cannot capture the unimaginable vastness on the small TV screens we have at home. He acknowledged that over 20million people had been displaced by the floods, a total which is equivalent to 1/3 of the UK. In response he declared that that very day the government had increased upon the £60million already issued to Pakistan to help provide temporary education and financial support for farmers.

4. When will the detention of children end?
It will end; Clegg reiterated this several times. He described how detention was only used prior to deportation, but that the government were looking for an alternate solution, describing the current system as a "barbaric" part of our asylum system.

5. Why are the Lib Dems being blamed for cuts but the Tories praised for our policies?
He pointed out that it was only 5months into a 5year parliament and therefore it was early days and that the mark is clear to see, we just need to explain. He agreed that ministers should express some dislike towards Tory policy, but obviously being in coalition can often be a very fragile situation. He then explained that we cannot cross the 't's and dot the 'i's of the Lib Dem Manifesto because we didn't win the election.

6. How can we maintain our independence within the coalition?
Clegg instantly replied with "we are left, they are right; we stand firm in our ideological views" and that you can share power but still keep your values. He described how we need to keep internal democratic debate alive and how we are currently being "beaten up by Labour pro media who are indulging themselves in the betrayal myth", whilst it is they who have betrayed the public; they didn't even have the decency to announce their planned cuts.

Regrettably, the Question and Answer session marked the 'beginning of the end' of my conference experience...

After buying a Liberal Democrat mug, one very reluctant Emma departed from conference...
The rest of Sunday and most of Monday was spent in a solitary, silent, reflective, blissful world of yellow...

Regrets?
... Perhaps not taking enough notes and not attending enough fringe events.

But it has to be said, conference was an absolute... SUCCESS.
Great experience; Great debate; Great people.

It was an honour to be surrounded by people who have the same passion for politics as me and also who share some of the same political values as fellow Liberal Democrats.
 So...
             Bring on the Spring Conference!