(1) The Conference did not start well. There were significant sound problems but the video wall is terrific. Pictured above is NY Mayor Michael Bloomberg when he addressed the Winter Gardens this afternoon. The Spectator's James Forsyth interpreted the Bloomberg invite as potentially offensive to our Republican allies across the pond. I disagree. It's good to have the mayor of one of the world's greatest cities address our party.
(2) William Hague has a rival as best conference speaker. Most people I've spoken to in the bars thought Boris Johnson stole the day. That's certainly Sky's view.
(3) "Rebalancing" is the word that describes this week. Alongside the modernising emphasis on a gentler, greener conservatism there's lots of talk of lower taxation and a very tough approach to crime. There's even rebalancing in the wardrobes of the über-modernisers. Francis Maude was spotted wearing a tie! Theresa May's boots must win the overall award for surprising wardrobe choice, however. Click here for a photo.
(4) Accreditation has been much, much better than last year but I did snap this photo earlier and there have been one or two horror stories.
(5) The latest ConservativeHome survey of members pointed to a 3 to 1 preference for loyalty over candour from MPs. Michael Ancram's decision not to give any interviews has been widely noted. There is a general hunger for unity here in Blackpool.
(6) I was on a panel earlier this evening with Peter Oborne, Nick Herbert and Jeremy Hunt - discussing David Cameron's relations with the grassroots. Tune into tomorrow's World at One on Radio 4 for highlights. The meeting came alive when one activist accused the BBC of systematic bias against the Conservatives. I almost felt sorry for Martha Kearney - such was the hostility that the audience felt for the BBC.
(7) There's one question everyone is asking: Are you a yes or a no person? I'm still a yes person and think Gordon Brown will look very diminished if he doesn't now call an autumn election. I was on the Westminster Hour tonight and learnt that there is now talk of Britain's first Sunday General Election. There is a rumour that Brown will recall Parliament for a statement on troop draw-downs in Iraq, a vote to authorise an election and enabling legislation for a Sunday poll.
(8) The men's toilets are full of photos of James Purnell photoshopped on to images of great world events. Silly, yes but quite funny.
(9) Blackpool is not in good shape for the final scheduled visit by any major political party for its annual conference. I hope the recent switch of political control - to the Conservatives - will do something to restore this once fine seaside resort... but it's going to take a lot of enterprise and time. Floodlighting the Tower in blue for the week is a nice touch.
(10) It's 11.45pm and I'm off to bed. My guess is that 99% of other conference-goers will still be drinking for a few hours yet but my day began at 7am with an interview with BBC Breakfast telly and I need my sleep!
Pictured above is NY Mayor Michael Bloomberg when he addressed the Winter Gardens this afternoon
And outlined a number of excellent arguments for sound fiscal policy.
Posted by: Yet Another Anon | October 01, 2007 at 00:31
Well done on your coverage guy's, it's been great, especially for folks like myself who can't make it this year.
I'm stuck in Trinidad with work, annoyingly to this Friday! The speech's from William and Boris were very good indeed, and bode well for a good week (we all pray). To those of you attending the fringe events and geting pissed in the bars of Blackpool, a big hello, enjoy!
Posted by: Oberon Houston | October 01, 2007 at 01:45
There should be more comment made of BBC bias. We call the organisation BPC for Brown's Propaganda Corporation.
Greetings from Baku - much more exotic than Trinidad.
Posted by: Colin Holland | October 01, 2007 at 03:14
I'm a 'no' person myself, I can't see that Mr Brown has anything to gain from an early election.
Glad to hear the BBC people got a talking to, I'll listen to WATO today :-).
Posted by: Dave Bartlett | October 01, 2007 at 04:51
Schwarzenegger, Bloomberg....inspiring to have American politicians tell us how super everything here is....maybe they can persuade us of their approach to gun ownership and abortion and the death penalty too...those would be radical policies to reconnect with our own history
Posted by: TomTom | October 01, 2007 at 07:13
Given we have said with absolute clarity, that we will not have unfunded up-front tax cuts, can Osborne after this Conference please send a list of the tax pledges we have made and the costings for each to the Associations?
Ive not seen a single figure put out for these tax cut pledges we have already made prior to this Conference.
Posted by: James Maskell | October 01, 2007 at 09:54
Predictably, on each news bulletin yesterday, the first thing that was concentrated on was the difficulty with the sound system, and the gentleman with the loud oxford accent asking if people could hear now, snide bias never changes!
Posted by: Patsy Sergeant | October 01, 2007 at 12:02
If Brown did decide to go for a Sunday Election, it would demonstrate for all to see that he is more Stalin man than 'son of the manse'!!!
Posted by: Patsy Sergeant | October 01, 2007 at 12:09