Birmingham

The centre of political attention in Britain has moved to the second city, Birmingham. The Conservative Party conference is being held there - and today the speech of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne is expected.

Birmingham has grown into a vibrant and pleasant city. I grew up in the West Midlands and remember how run down some of the central areas were. The delegates to the conference won't see that. The once overgrown canals are not pleasant waterways surrounded by cafe's. The Symphony Hall - part of the ICC, where the Conservative Party Conference is being held is part of the great regeneration project that resulted from a successful partnership between Birmingham City Council; the UK Government and the European Union.

If delegates tire of the party events there is much to do and see in Birmingham. Further details about the delights of Birmingham can be found here.