Regional Conference, hustings and candidates visits

8.52.22pm GMT Sat 18th Feb 2006

Liberal Democrat Leadership Candidates at the West Midlands hustings

Today has been a busy day for West Midlands Liberal Democrats. We had our Spring Regional Conference in Coventry, followed by the Leadership Hustings. The candidates have been busy too, Sir Menzies Campbell visited Solihull and Washwood Heath before the hustings, Chris Huhne visited West Worcestershire before the hustings and Sparkbrook afterwards, Simon Hughes visited both Milton Keynes and Northampton on the way to the hustings.

Firstly the Conference, it was a shortened Conference due to the hustings so we did not have any policy motions this time. The highlight of the morning was Vince Cable the Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor speaking on our economic policy and a discussion followed. The Afternoon highlight was the session where Liz Lynne MEP, Lorely Burt MP and John Hemming MP addressed the conference. We also had five training sessions - two for Moving Forward Seats on writing a Development Plan and a Campaign Plan, a session on membership, one on PPERA and a Question and Answer session ahead of the Local Elections.

Just before the hustings I returned the pig from the last conference. At the last conference I was given a pig money box and some chocolate coins and told to turn them into money - my target was £30 (it having been my 30th birthday). I raised £100 and then we auctioned the (now painted) pig for an additional £10. A good fundraiser but I hope I don't get the task again next conference!

The hustings were very well attended - the hall was packed, I have been told over 500 and closer to 600 turned up! I am sure everyone present had slightly different views of what happened by what follows was my take:

Sir Menzies spoke first, then Chris Huhne and finally Simon Hughes - all having about ten minutes each. Sir Menzies told us about him and why he should be leader. Chris concentrated on policy and his beliefs. Simon made a fairly left-wing speech, that went down a storm (in parts), about what was wrong and what we should do to fix it. Then we had a few questions, I would have liked more but time ran out. All did very well and I suspect a lot of people still left undecided. I think (and I admit to being biased) that Sir Menzies did best followed (closely) by Chris with Simon in third. A small but relatively important point (to me anyway), is Simon made two slip-ups - in his speech he said he wanted the Liberal Democrats to be know as the freedom party, the Freedom Party exists (only) in the West Midlands in South Staffordshire and are a nasty right-wing party (I winced when he said it, afterwards I spoke to a member from South Staffordshire who said he had too!) and he said we were at war with Iran (he of course meant Iraq) - two simple mistakes but quite important really.

I put a question in but it did not get answered - I had hoped this would get asked as I could have changed my vote on it but more importantly I wanted a commitment from the candidates. I asked "If elected will you commit to coming back to a West Midlands Conference before the next General Election." It seems an odd question to ask but they would have all had to say yes and then would have had an opportunity to get them back - Leaders seem to forget the West Midlands!

Sir. Menzies and Chris both made other visits in the West Midlands today, Simon is due back on Monday to Shrewsbury. Sir. Menzies met with Councillors and activists in Solihull and members in Washwood Heath this morning - I am told both visits went very well but sadly could not attend as I was at the Conference. Chris was due to visit a coffee morning in West Worcestershire but public transport put pay to that - I believe he made it but two hours later than planned Chris then went with Liz Lynne (MEP) opened the new Liberal Democrat office in Sparkbrook which I attended - it was quite an amazing event, it even had a drummer! It was a packed opening, sadly for Chris' campaign, but not for the Sparkbrook campaign, a lot of non-members attended - fantastic though!

One final point about today is two very good friends of mine attended the hustings with their candidates, both from London - so extra pleasing to see them! Chris Maines came with Chris Huhne and Sue Simmonds with Simon Hughes - it was quite funny as although we are great friends we were all giving out opposing literature.