Brian Bartons Blog: Labour Party Annual Conference, Liverpool, Sunday 25th September to Thursday 29th September 2011

Saturday 10th September 2011

Was at the computer doing my emails, and heard a thud through the letterbox, I went to the hallway and saw a package for me it was my delegates pack for the Labour Party Annual Conference, I am the Milton Keynes North CLP Delegate.

I had an email the week before from Sue Stainthorpe from the Labour Party Head Office in Victoria Street saying they were on there way.

The pack contained the following items:

A letter from Carol Linforth Director of Conferences and Events with my conference pass and instructions, which I have to peel out the pass, turn it over and place it face down in to the laminate window then push it through the window, and attach your pass to the lanyard, on the back of my pass it said "USDAW the campaigning union http://www.usdaw.org.uk/ the letter said that I must wear my pass at all times during conference.
An USDAW lanyard (the campaigning union http://www.usdaw.org.uk/) on it in a plastic package.
A Delegate ticket with my name on it (which says Note: Seats not taken by 2pm will be allocated to other guests.) for the Leaders Speech by the Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP Liverpool 2011.
Delegates Welcome Reception ticket on Saturday 24th september at 7:30pm ACC Hall 2E Refreshments Provided and sponsored by Tescos!
A Labour South East , South East Delegate Reception on Sunday 25th September, 8:30pm - 10pm ACC, Hall Refreshments Provided sponsored by Microsoft!
An invitation by the Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament and the European Parliamentary Labour :Party to the Europe Reception speakers Ed Miliband MP, Leader of the Labour Party, Glenis Willmott MEP, Leader of the EPLP, Eddie Izzard (tbc), Ruairi Quinn, Irish Minister for education and Skills on Monday 26th September 8:00pm ACC Hall 3A
A Merseytravel complimentary Labour Party Delegate's Walrus Card valid Saturday 24th - Thursday 29th September 2011 on any train or bus and not for the Ferries, apparantly I would be one of the first in the UK to recieve this card as they are phasing in readers at each railway station and on the bus terminals.
A Conference Magazine with a fold up map of Liverpool attached to it on the front cover, the contents consists of Welcome from ed Miliband, A Better Future for Britain, New General Secretary Iain McNicol, Conference Timetable, Refounding Labour To Win, Conference Day By day, Refounding Labour Seninars and Training, Investing in New Technology, Other Training and Seminars, Project Game Plan, Open Zone, Welcome from Harriet Harman, Liverpoool: What to See and do, Where to Eat and Drink, Fringe Guide (fold out tab), Exhibition Listings (fold out tab), Best Stand Competition, A-Z of useful information, Conference Zone map, plans of venue, Liverpool City Map, Conference Security.
A National Executive Committee Annual Report 2011 contents consist of Message from Ed Milliband, Introduction from Ray Collins, General Secretary Designate Iain McNicol, National Executive Committee, 2010/2011 National Executive Committee, NEC Committees, Obituaries, NEC aims and objectives, Elections 2011, Elections 2011, Parilamentary by elections, Preparing for the General Election, Project Game Plan, Elections 2012, London Mayoral elections 2012, Boundary Reviews, Campaigning with new technology, Effective Campaigning, A renewed Party, Partnership into Power, International, International, European Parliamentary Labour Party, Stablity in our finances, stablity in our finances, Conference and Events, Donations, Financial Statements 2010, Appendices, Members of the Shadow Cabinet, Members of Parliament, Members of the scottish Parliament, Members of the Welsh Assembly, Members of the European Parliament, Members of the Greater London Assembly, Directly elected Mayors, Leaders of Labour Groups, House of Lords Opposition Front Bench, Labour Peers, NEC Disputes.
A National Policy Forum Report 2011 contents consist of Forward from the Rt Hon Peter Hain MP Chair of the National Policy Forum, Policy Commission Annual Reports, Britain in the World, Crime, Justice, Citizenship and Equalities, Education and Skills, Health, Prosperity and work, Sustainable Communities, Appendices, 1. National Policy Forum Membership, 2. Submitting Organisations.
A Labour Party Annual Conference Labour South East Staff small contact card the list consisted of Malcolm Powers (Regional Director), Kathy Cumming (Regional Communications), Simon Wady (Regional Organiser), Dan Simpson (Regional Organiser), Rachael Martin - Smith (Trainee Organiser.)

In seperate cover I recieved a letter from the Trade Union and Labour Party Liaison Organisation (TULO) and the Trade Union Group of Labour MPs (TUG), http://www.unionstogether.org.uk/ inviting me to the Trade Union Conference (TUG/TULO) Reception on Sunday 25th September 5:30pm - 7:30pm. Sponsored by THOMPSONS Solicitors!

I have just recently recieved another package with a covering letter from Ray Collins General Secretary listing the Policy Seminars hosted by the Policy Commissions Seminar 1 Britain in the World - Monday 26th September 16:15 - 17:30 ACC Hall 1B, Seminar 2 Economy, Jobs and growth Monday 26th September 16:15 - 17:30 ACC Hall 1C, Seminar 3 Greener Living, environment, energy and Climate Change Monday 26th September 16:15 - 17:30 Jurys Inn, Suite 3, Seminar 4 Health and Social care Tuesday 27th September 16:15 - 17:30 ACC Hall 1B, Seminar 5 Crime and Justice Tuesday 27th September 16:15 - 17:30 ACC Hall 1C, Seminar 6 The Cost of Living Crises Tuesday 27th September 16:15 - 17:30 Jurys Inn, Suite 3, Seminar 7 The British Promise: Education, Culture and Creativity Wednesday 28th September 16:15 - 17:30 ACC Hall 1B, Seminar 8 Stronger Communities: Local Govdernment, Housing and Transport Wednesday 28th September 16:15 - 17:30 ACC Hall 1C, Seminar 9 New Politics: Constitutional Reform, Citizenship and Equalities Wednesday 28th September 16:15 - 17:30 Jurys Inn, Suite 3 along with details of the New Politics Fresh ideas Open Zone, Receptions and Events.
Enclosed was the Delegates Report from the Conference Arrangements Committee contents consist of Conference Arrangements Committee Members, Notices - Conference Sessions Conference business, including the timetable for ballots, Conference logistics, Constitutional Amendments 2010, Constitutional Arrangements 2011, Elections to National Committees and Positions, Candidates Statements, How Conference Works - FAQs, Provisional Conference Timetable.

Also I was sent under separate cover I recived a covering letter from Carol Linforth Director of Conferences and Events and was requested to email Katy Diggory to confirm my acceptance for the following events (which I did and had a reply to say I was on the guest lists):

Your personal invitation to a special Question and Answer Session with Rt. Hon Ed Milliband MP, Leader of the Labour Party 5:30pm Wednesday 28th September Liverpool ACC Main Conference Hall
Your invitation to the young British Talent Showcase Hosted by Eddie Izzard 4:15pm Wednesday 28th September Hall 1C Come and see the best of Britains new young talent compete to win this special showcase which celebrates the potential of the next generation.

I also recieved an email from Mary Southcott Parliamentary Officer of the Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform (LCER) inviting me to the Electoral Reform Society Fringe event "Common Endeavour? Conversations across the Political divide at the Jurys Inn Suite 1, the speaker is John Denham MP Shadow Secretary for Business Innovation and Skills and will be Chaired by Katie Ghose Chair of the electoral Reform Society, I was asked if I would be a Regional Contact which I replied back that I would be willing to do so.

As an aside the Labour Party has a Conference App - new for 2011 I can either scan the barcode supplied to download for all the latest information - or go to www.labour.org.uk/conferenceapp or if your phone has internet functionality you can view all conference events at http://www.mobile.labour.org.uk/ I plan to do so soon as you can organise the events and fringe meetings that you want to attend and it will let you know what you want to attend on the day!

This is the first time a political party has created an app for a conference, also I have discovered that it is the first time the Labour Party has held its Annual Conference in Liverpool.

I shall be staying at Devonshire House Hotel 293-297 Edge Lane Liverpool L7 9LD . It is 2 miles from the Conference Centre unfortunately. Tel 0151 264 6600 http://www.devonshirehouse.co.uk/

The Milton Keynes Labour Party will pay for my delegate fees travel and accommodation only (including breakfast) but no other expenses. However its is fairly easy I have been told by conference season goers, to negotiate around fringe events and receptions that offer food at varying quantities and qualities at no cost.

I plan to give you a daily blow by blow account of my first time as a delegate at conference I hope you find it interesting.