The Charlotte Gore Blog

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Conference Diary Day 2

September 21st, 2009 at 4:10 pm

Slightly drunken ramblings


libdems

Lot’s more people in suits than I imagined. It seems the days of sandals and beards may well have passed. That or the Marriott hotel has a policy of preventing beardy sandal wearers entering the building. It’s funny how many people look like Tories. If it wasn’t for the lanyards, I really wouldn’t have a clue.

My intern is returning to derby now, so I’m sat in a bar with Liberal Visioner Sara Scarlett, who’s every bit as feisty as you’d imagine, and sharp to boot and we’re watching out for people we recognise. Have had a long (and interesting) chat with fellow Lib Dem Blogger Mark Valladares, husband of the party’s president and altogether charming and friendly man – one of those people that seems to know absolutely everyone.

mark

WARNING: THIS PICTURE HAS BEEN AIRBRUSHED

Armed with Wi-Fi and a laptop, I’m now trying to get a handle on everything’s going on. The next big event is the Richard Dawkins fringe – the War on Irrationality. I can’t wait for this one. I’ve heard a rumour that Richard’s been a Lib Dem voter for 25 years, something which fills me with a spazzy joy. Seriously, this actually makes me feel pretty good about being a Lib Dem. Wonder if I’ll get a chance to grab a few words with him?

In other news, Alex Massie of the Spectator has been mulling the prospect of voting for the Lib Dems… if there were a few more liberals of the classical variety kicking around. Is there some kind of effort to reclaim the word ‘liberal’ to something I’d recognise?

More on this later. There’s still a lot of work to do in helping other people who share my particular view of liberalism feel able to stand up and express their opinions and views without fear. That’s ‘step one’ I think. One thing that attending Lib Dem Conference is showing me is that this party is a lot cooler and more open minded than I realised. They’re mostly reasonable and can be persuaded by good argument. I mean, that’s probably why Richard Dawkins likes us.

There is hope, but it needs people to be willing to stnad up and make those interventions and argue properly, positively and openly. The party is what we make it, but the people who want to change it are sat in the pub drinking (and celeb spotting… was that Nick Clegg doing the classic, ‘walking up the prom saying something interesting’ scene?) instead of debating on the floor.

Has this post inspired your inner pedant? Try Pedants' Corner.

8 Responses to 'Conference Diary Day 2'

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  1. Talwin said...

    21 Sep 09 at 5:22 pm

    ‘This picture has been airbrushed’. And the desired effect was….?

  2. Charlotte Gore said...

    21 Sep 09 at 5:41 pm

    The appearance of more youthful skin

  3. Julian H said...

    21 Sep 09 at 6:01 pm

    Fear not, all – one is almost Back in Bournemouth, where one will engage in more drinking and gazing (although not necessarily at male MPs).

    Someone tell Dawkins to put his spiel back 20 minutes.

  4. Dazmando said...

    21 Sep 09 at 8:08 pm

    Oh man I really enjoyed the conferance, surprised by how many young people there were etc. Maybe I should of put on that suit after all. Very nice to meet you BTW 80)

  5. Mark Valladares said...

    22 Sep 09 at 3:33 pm

    Talwin,

    Charlotte has been most kind. However, she is making a joke here, and I am merely the canvas on which she has worked…

    I don’t know, you try a little humour and people come across all literal…

  6. Stu said...

    22 Sep 09 at 3:53 pm

    I’m just disappointed she didn’t give you laser eyes, Mark.

  7. Charlotte Gore said...

    22 Sep 09 at 4:08 pm

    Actually I did, but it was too terrifying. :)

  8. [...] None of the above Jump to Comments Bless ‘em, it seems as if the ‘traditional media’ are struggling to cope with the vagaries of electioneering in these modern interconnectivity-driven times.  First the formerly ‘great ignored’ Nick Clegg gets a 10-point bunk up due largely to appearing on the gogglebox and not coming across as a complete twat.  Then all hell breaks loose, as the Tory-cheerleader press goes apeshit at the thought of Facebook campaigns causing the ‘natural party of government‘ to miss out on the heralded and therefore inevitable coronation, thus unleashing hell against those they used to deride as sandal-wearers. [...]

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