Owen Temple

Nearly thirty years after I joined the party, I thought it was time to attend a party conference. Not before time!

I was actually a bit nervous. I’ve read about modern political conferences being choreographed for the TV cameras. I would have hated that. I’ve seen some where it looked as if dissent was was considered tantamount to treason. I should have had more faith in the Liberal Democrats. What I experienced was a relaxed but very committed conference of people intent on pulling in the same direction, and keen to share ideas.

I even found myself inspired. Not by the leader’s speech, excellent though it was. Not by policy, not by campaigning techniques, not by rhetoric. What inspired me was to be in Liverpool, and to feel the change that was taking place. To hear how that great city, brought to its knees in conflict between Mrs Thatcher and the Militant Tendency, was now being transformed commercially and culturally under Liberal Democrat leadership. To recognise how a local party that was almost down and out had earned the trust of its community, and in earning that trust had enabled a transformation of both itself and the city.

I couldn’t help thinking about the County Durham we live in, where so much has been laid waste by Thatcherite economics, and so much else undermined by Labour Party inertia. It desperately needs a party that earns its trust and enables a transformation. That’s the challenge that brought me back buzzing from the Spring Conference. That’s the challenge of this May’s election.