The speech is now in full flow. It is not my purpose in posting to gush about how wonderful the speech is. You can make your own mind up. But I can comment on what we are seeing.
The first thing to notice is the array of "beautiful people" who frame the Leader. No televised speech for the last few years has been without this framing. They are all young people, pretty girls and handsome lads (not that that is incompatible with brains - I know or have talked with some of them - some of them are awesome. They are intelligent, articulate and are discussing complex issues in the many fringe meetings. If our future is in their hands - the future looks good!).
As a contrast (???) some of the older former and current players in British politics are occasionally shown. ( but watching the Leader from the side or from in front of him).
There is no auto cue - and he is not reading from notes. As an individual he is gifted at delivering a speech without notes - but which follows word for word (I've seen him do this with the text of the speech in front of me - it's very impressive how close he is to the printed text).
There are some jokes - with sudden switches to serious points. The delegates are lapping it up. Most of those around me are exhibitors, with a keen interest in the implications for their company, charity or pressure group. They are listening in silence as they weigh the speech up.
I shall stop to upload this - my next post will follow soon.
Tuesday, 24 September 2013
Leader's Speech
One ancient tradition of conference is queuing for the leader's speech. I usually join the other fanatics who start queuing the minute the morning session ends. More tickets are distributed than there are seats available (first rule of Leader's speeches - never allow a TV camera pick out an empty seat - so this precaution is necessary). This year however I had given my ticket away by mid morning (a tummy bug (and yes it was what I'd eaten not what I'd drunk!!!) meant I couldn't face standing in line for over two hours. Instead I'm in the exhibition hall, on a comfortable seat watching a big screen TV.
This morning's plans were abandoned as I sat drinking water - and chatting to friends. There's a large contingent from Milton Keynes - and as my head has been down recently finishing off the thesis, I've had a lot of catching up to do. I did witness Ed Miliband enter the building, but we still await the speech.
I'll sign off now - but will post again later. The odd tweet of mine may appear under my twitter handle of jdm_progressive.
A little (important) trivia - it was 50 years ago that Harold Wilson - in his conference speech - first promised a new type of university - the Open University. I'm the proud son of two of the OU's earliest students - who benefitted from an environment in which they set an example of tireless study as I was a teenager at secondary school; an Associate Lecturer at the OU (in Law), husband of an Associate Lecturer (Maths Education), and father of a daughter working at 'Walton Hall'. I'll be off later this afternoon to an OU sponsored meeting about MOOCs - Massive Online Open Courses. If you are reading this at Conference - do come along to the Osborne Room in the Metrople at 5-30.
This morning's plans were abandoned as I sat drinking water - and chatting to friends. There's a large contingent from Milton Keynes - and as my head has been down recently finishing off the thesis, I've had a lot of catching up to do. I did witness Ed Miliband enter the building, but we still await the speech.
I'll sign off now - but will post again later. The odd tweet of mine may appear under my twitter handle of jdm_progressive.
A little (important) trivia - it was 50 years ago that Harold Wilson - in his conference speech - first promised a new type of university - the Open University. I'm the proud son of two of the OU's earliest students - who benefitted from an environment in which they set an example of tireless study as I was a teenager at secondary school; an Associate Lecturer at the OU (in Law), husband of an Associate Lecturer (Maths Education), and father of a daughter working at 'Walton Hall'. I'll be off later this afternoon to an OU sponsored meeting about MOOCs - Massive Online Open Courses. If you are reading this at Conference - do come along to the Osborne Room in the Metrople at 5-30.
Monday Evening
Since my last post I've been very busy. There was a lunchtime fringe meeting on Europe - more Europe, but different Europe. While next year's elections were of course a feature, the focus was on the advantages of EU membership - and the disadvantages of withdrawal
I didn't get the opportunity to see any of the afternoon's plenary - you might be tempted to say that I was indulging in the dark back corridor plotting - but no, I was out in the wonderful. sunshine . And we weren't seeking to overthrow the leadership; or stitch up a vote or an election - we were talking about, and discussing solutions to various practical issues our constituents were facing. (I have the luxury of not having any constituents - but a lot of experience in seeking solutionst).
In the evening I went to a meeting about the House of Lords - put on by Labour's front bench team there. Very informative about how the House works - and how to communicate views to members of a House made up mainly of part-timers, who don't have any personal staff - who may not use a computer - let alone email. Personal letters are the key - to Peers who have demonstrated an interest in the subject (and a search of Hansard online - or a look at 'Who's Who' in the local library can reveal this). Mass email bombing can be counter-productive.
Short visits to a Europe reception; a Diversity evening event in a local restaurant; and a karaoke event No, I didn't sing - my singing what have got me kicked out! I then returned to the hotel for an early retirement to bed.
I didn't get the opportunity to see any of the afternoon's plenary - you might be tempted to say that I was indulging in the dark back corridor plotting - but no, I was out in the wonderful. sunshine . And we weren't seeking to overthrow the leadership; or stitch up a vote or an election - we were talking about, and discussing solutions to various practical issues our constituents were facing. (I have the luxury of not having any constituents - but a lot of experience in seeking solutionst).
In the evening I went to a meeting about the House of Lords - put on by Labour's front bench team there. Very informative about how the House works - and how to communicate views to members of a House made up mainly of part-timers, who don't have any personal staff - who may not use a computer - let alone email. Personal letters are the key - to Peers who have demonstrated an interest in the subject (and a search of Hansard online - or a look at 'Who's Who' in the local library can reveal this). Mass email bombing can be counter-productive.
Short visits to a Europe reception; a Diversity evening event in a local restaurant; and a karaoke event No, I didn't sing - my singing what have got me kicked out! I then returned to the hotel for an early retirement to bed.
Monday, 23 September 2013
Monday Morning...
I write this in the conference hall as the debate on "Britain's Global Role" continues (worth watching on BBC Parliament.
Since I last posted, I've attended a number of interesting events. Last night I attended an event on legal services. Again I filmed most of the short speeches - and they should appear in posts from later on this week. The issue of access to legal advice as a "Rule of Law" matter - and the practical problems that individuals and Courts are facing as a result of legal aid changes were stressed.
The vote on which issues will be debated as contemporaneous motions saw a large amount of support for the legal advice motion but missed getting into the successful four.
The Association of Labour Councillors held their reception, and there was an excellent turnout - both from members and front bench speakers.
This morning I attended a breakfast round table held by Diabetes UK. Some of the facts highlighted were mind-blowing .
* 10% of the NHS budget is accounted for in treating Diabetes.
* Of the £9.8bn spent each year, 80% goes on dealing with avoidable complications. Spending more on health education; identification of those at risk and those with Diabetes; and treatment - saves a massive amount of the costs needed for dealing with those complications.
It is worth visiting the Diabetes UK website - and if you or your loved ones are in a risk category - go to your doctor to be tested. Limbs and lives can be saved by exercise, an appropriate diet and medication.
The sad thing is that the incidence of diabetes is increasing. There are clear links to diet, exercise and obesity. The epidemic can be tackled - but it is not just an issue for healthcare professionals and decision makers. A safe environment for playing, walking and cycling can play a key role in avoiding developing diabetes, or if like me you have already been diagnosed, in pushing away the more serious consequences. Honesty in advertising and clearer labelling can help parents understand that the apparently 'healthy' breakfast cereal contains a dangerous level of sugar. In my view self regulation has failed miserably with food manufacturers; advertisers and retailers. There is increasing scientific evidence of the dangers and addictiveness of high fat, sugar and salt products - yet Cadbury's are able to link eating their sugar laden products with 'joy' - to increase standard sizes, and many retailers still cynically put temptation at child level height and near the queue for the checkout.
At lunchtime I intend to go to a meeting about the European Parliament. This evening I have a frustrating clash of fringe events - if only it was possible to be in three places at once. I'll be posting later on what I did get to attend.
If you are reading this at Conference, I'd encourage you to consider attending the fringe on "Legal Aid in Crisis - What Should Labour Do?" (Lord) Willy Bach ['fightbach' on twitter] who led for Labour in the House of Lords in opposing the Legal Aid legislation that was pushed through Parliament (LASPO Bill); Emily Thornberry, the Shadow Attorney General - and front line providers of legal advice, assistance and representation will be speaking. It is on at 17-30 in Lancing 2 in the Holiday Inn.
Since I last posted, I've attended a number of interesting events. Last night I attended an event on legal services. Again I filmed most of the short speeches - and they should appear in posts from later on this week. The issue of access to legal advice as a "Rule of Law" matter - and the practical problems that individuals and Courts are facing as a result of legal aid changes were stressed.
The vote on which issues will be debated as contemporaneous motions saw a large amount of support for the legal advice motion but missed getting into the successful four.
The Association of Labour Councillors held their reception, and there was an excellent turnout - both from members and front bench speakers.
This morning I attended a breakfast round table held by Diabetes UK. Some of the facts highlighted were mind-blowing .
* 10% of the NHS budget is accounted for in treating Diabetes.
* Of the £9.8bn spent each year, 80% goes on dealing with avoidable complications. Spending more on health education; identification of those at risk and those with Diabetes; and treatment - saves a massive amount of the costs needed for dealing with those complications.
It is worth visiting the Diabetes UK website - and if you or your loved ones are in a risk category - go to your doctor to be tested. Limbs and lives can be saved by exercise, an appropriate diet and medication.
The sad thing is that the incidence of diabetes is increasing. There are clear links to diet, exercise and obesity. The epidemic can be tackled - but it is not just an issue for healthcare professionals and decision makers. A safe environment for playing, walking and cycling can play a key role in avoiding developing diabetes, or if like me you have already been diagnosed, in pushing away the more serious consequences. Honesty in advertising and clearer labelling can help parents understand that the apparently 'healthy' breakfast cereal contains a dangerous level of sugar. In my view self regulation has failed miserably with food manufacturers; advertisers and retailers. There is increasing scientific evidence of the dangers and addictiveness of high fat, sugar and salt products - yet Cadbury's are able to link eating their sugar laden products with 'joy' - to increase standard sizes, and many retailers still cynically put temptation at child level height and near the queue for the checkout.
At lunchtime I intend to go to a meeting about the European Parliament. This evening I have a frustrating clash of fringe events - if only it was possible to be in three places at once. I'll be posting later on what I did get to attend.
If you are reading this at Conference, I'd encourage you to consider attending the fringe on "Legal Aid in Crisis - What Should Labour Do?" (Lord) Willy Bach ['fightbach' on twitter] who led for Labour in the House of Lords in opposing the Legal Aid legislation that was pushed through Parliament (LASPO Bill); Emily Thornberry, the Shadow Attorney General - and front line providers of legal advice, assistance and representation will be speaking. It is on at 17-30 in Lancing 2 in the Holiday Inn.
Sunday, 22 September 2013
Sunday Afternoon
I'm now seated in the conference hall, listening to Liam Byrne talking about disabilies. He is getting a good response from the the hall, which is close to full. Delegates - who have the right to speak and vote, are in the first twelve rows. I have a balcony ticket so am in the tiered seating area. It has lready been a busy day. I posted this morning from the Hilton Metropole. Those of us working or reading in the Bar (coffee only), watched Ed Miliband on the Andrew Marr Show. On our way to the Metropole, we had passed the seafront structure where Marr was broadcasting from.
I had to pick some stuff up from the city centre then made my way to the Europe Rally at the Odeon cinema. I filmed a number of the contributions and hope to share them with you when I return to Milton Keynes. We heard about the work of the European Parliament, and the importance of the Euro-Elections in May 2014.
I've met a lot of long-standing friends in the last few hours - a number of people are regular attenders at conference - and met many first time delegates. As I play no official role, I have freedom to do what I want - but delegates face a punishing schedule. They are here on behalf of their constituency Labour Party or their Trade Union. Generally they are expected to give a report upon their return. They have to vote on a number of matters during the work, and may have been mandated to vote a particular way on specific issues - by those they are representing.
As I have been writing, the subject matter has moved on. The Welsh Report is being given. Conference will adjourn at about 5pm, and I will be off to a series of "Fringe Events". Some will involve speeches & debate, whilst other will be more of a social nature.
I had to pick some stuff up from the city centre then made my way to the Europe Rally at the Odeon cinema. I filmed a number of the contributions and hope to share them with you when I return to Milton Keynes. We heard about the work of the European Parliament, and the importance of the Euro-Elections in May 2014.
I've met a lot of long-standing friends in the last few hours - a number of people are regular attenders at conference - and met many first time delegates. As I play no official role, I have freedom to do what I want - but delegates face a punishing schedule. They are here on behalf of their constituency Labour Party or their Trade Union. Generally they are expected to give a report upon their return. They have to vote on a number of matters during the work, and may have been mandated to vote a particular way on specific issues - by those they are representing.
As I have been writing, the subject matter has moved on. The Welsh Report is being given. Conference will adjourn at about 5pm, and I will be off to a series of "Fringe Events". Some will involve speeches & debate, whilst other will be more of a social nature.
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