Sunday, October 01, 2006

Conservative conference - what happens when?


Why do party conferences start on Sundays now? Its crap.

William Hague is currently charming the party faithful.

"David Cameron is already an outstanding leader who deserves the loyalty of us all," apparently. Now the Tories are talking the language of de-centralisation.

As they couldn't get Bill Clinton, the Tories have got Senator John McCain, who they imagine might become the next President. Not likely, in my view. It should be a good speech anyway.

Nicholas Sarkozy, the diminutive French interior minister, who is tipped to succeed Chirac as President of France, will also address the conference.

Sen McCain will be followed this afternoon by the leader. Cameron has already rejected any talk of promising tax cuts in a series of pre-conference interviews. He will address the party for about 30 minutes, and will speak to delegates again on Wednesday afternoon.

The focus of this conference is, er, well not very much. "An overall vision for Britain" is what Hague said. Whatever that is.

As the party are short of any policies, there will be a series of "Hot Topic Debates" on nebulous issues such as advertising aimed at children. They have snappy titles like "cheap flights are a false economy" and show just how little the party have to really talk about.

The party have also invited a range of speakers to address the conference, among them lesbian novelist Jeanette Winterson, the Miami Chief of Police and some bird off Dragons Den.

Tomorrow conference will debate public services, crime, the environment and 'social action.' Ecology totty Zac Goldsmith will be making an appearance, so at least there will be someone pretty to look at. Other highlights include Camilla Batmanghelidjh, founder of charity Kids Club, and Shami Chakrabati from human rights group Liberty.

Tuesday's "hot topic" mini-conversation ("alcohol does more harm than drugs") is followed by debate on social justice, the economy, foreign affairs and international security. There will also be a debate about devolution, where no doubt the party will complain about the imbalance in the current constitutional settlement. There are no obvious highlights on Tuesday.

Thirty minutes on Wednesday morning will be given over to debate the creative industries, followed yet another heated debate, "global companies are a force for good." It is not clear if that is a question or a statement.

There will be a "conference choice" of topic, followed in the afternoon by debate on global poverty and social action (again). No matter what they pick, it seems Boris Johnson will be speaking, which is always a highlight.

David Cameron will close the conference with a speech, which is pencilled in as an hour long. Apparently he was transfixed by Blair's star performance last week.

DC will need to be at the top of his game to beat that.