Lib Dem Brighton 2006 Conference

For regular attendees, returning to Lib Dem conference becomes increasingly like going to a gathering of the extended family. The more times you go, the more other Conference Reps you know, and the more Lib Dem friends you meet up with who lived in your area a few years – or a decade – ago. Some of the old friends I met up with voted a different way on the big issue of Conference – yesterday’s tax debate – but that never gets in the way of a chat and a drink.

At last night’s BBC reception, John Culshaw, who did a stand-up routine, commented that Lib Dems laugh at ourselves more than the other Parties – New Labour first check to see who else is laughing. Perhaps the facts that we don’t take ourselves too seriously and we feel free to react how we feel helps explain why Lib Dem conference is such a comfortable place to be.