The Two Headed Conference - Phil Hutty reports back from Birmingham (Central Devon Liberal Democrats)

Central Devon Liberal Democrats <info@centraldevon-libdems.org.uk>

The Two Headed Conference - Phil Hutty reports back from Birmingham

October 7, 2011 10:18 AM

It's that time of year again when political activist pack up their anoraks and make their way to conference venues in exciting places like Liverpool Manchester and, as in my case, Birmingham.

Once upon a time there were photo opportunities for sea side walks (remember Neil Kinnock's walk and fall on the beach?) now we gather behind security fences and extremely bored Policemen. But even though I lament the passing of the good old days, behind the "ring of steel" conference continues on pretty much the same way as others did in the past.

The New Central Devon? Map showing proposed boundaries

Of course the big difference now is that we our in Government and whereas before we had just one policeman and one protester (who has always attended conference doggedly standing outside the entrance with guitar in hand trying to change the world) we now have police with guns and reassuringly, the same protestor. We also talk about changing laws instead of dusty policies, and speeches are headed by Ministers instead of "a leading local Councillor."

This conference the buzz has been about three things - the NHS and attempts to change decisions made, Nick Clegg and the new boundary changes for constituencies.

Surprisingly Clegg has done okay here -talk of his departure has beefar less than I expected and his" steady as we go" mantra has been going down well with Members helped I'm sure by the slight pick up of poll ratings.

The NHS debate was muted and grown up, and even though we still voted against the odd motion to upset the leadership, hall debates have been surprisingly good.

But for me, the main topic has been the proposed changes in the constituency boundaries. One of my fellow members described the changes toCentral Devonas the seat growing a second head and he's not wrong!

Whilst some parts of the seat will drift away (Okehampton et al.) we will gain more rural bits on the head and some 'seaside' bits on the toe making it, what must be, one of the biggest seats in England. I fear I may need to take out a second mortgage for the petrol costs alone! Still there is a big difference between the proposals and final decisions and we will see what actually happens in the end. In the meantime there are lots of maps and stats to look at which makes the geek in me very happy.