Off to Liberal Democrat Conference

10.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 18th Sep 2004

Today sees the start of this year's Liberal Democrat Conference in Bournemouth. I am travelling down with a large group from Birmingham, many of them first time delegates, so I will be trying to ensure they all know what is going on and will give them an idea of what to expect on the train journey.

Unlike many previous years I will not actually be working at Conference this year, I am delivering a few training sessions and have a couple of meetings but will be able to enjoy the week a lot more than in the last couple of years.

The agenda seems to be a very good one and I am looking forward to many of the debates and of course Baroness Williams speech, which will be even more unmissable now she has announced her retirement.