This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/oct/07/lib-dem-conference-diary-gatwick-expansion

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Lib Dem conference diary: no Gatwick expansion, but no one updated the app Lib Dem conference diary: no Gatwick expansion, but no one updated the app
(35 minutes later)
Major plane crash on Tuesday for lobbyists who stalk Lib Dem conferences nowadays, sponsor events and seek to whisper in David Laws’ powerful ear. At fringe meetings they even have the cheek to demand more accountability from public bodies without providing much themselves. Alas, a wasted effort: delegates noisily rejected the Cleggster’s bid to reverse the party’s opposition to more runways, especially near London. • Major plane crash on Tuesday for lobbyists who stalk Lib Dem conferences nowadays, sponsor events and seek to whisper in David Laws’ powerful ear. At fringe meetings they even have the cheek to demand more accountability from public bodies without providing much themselves. Alas, a wasted effort: delegates noisily rejected the Cleggster’s bid to reverse the party’s opposition to more runways, especially near London.
Shame then that the Lib Dem conference app opens with a full screen advert: “Where would a new runway deliver most economic growth with the least environmental impact?” “Gatwick obviously,” pings the answer. Gatwick lobbyists can now forget that option if a Lib Dem veto survives the election.Shame then that the Lib Dem conference app opens with a full screen advert: “Where would a new runway deliver most economic growth with the least environmental impact?” “Gatwick obviously,” pings the answer. Gatwick lobbyists can now forget that option if a Lib Dem veto survives the election.
But will it? Challenged about a 7 May massacre, Lib Dem fighters inside the conference bubble list the 30 seats (out of 58) they expect to hold. The party is solvent too. Ian Wrigglesworth, its ex-Labour party treasurer, boasts he has raised more than Labour from individual donors – not the unions – for 18 of the last 20 quarters, including a cuddly £5,000 from Nick Clegg’s father. Being last instead of first to stage their conference, thanks to Scotland’s referendum, also allows them to frame their message around their rivals performance: “Do you want Nigel Cameron, Ed Hollande – or Nice Nick?”But will it? Challenged about a 7 May massacre, Lib Dem fighters inside the conference bubble list the 30 seats (out of 58) they expect to hold. The party is solvent too. Ian Wrigglesworth, its ex-Labour party treasurer, boasts he has raised more than Labour from individual donors – not the unions – for 18 of the last 20 quarters, including a cuddly £5,000 from Nick Clegg’s father. Being last instead of first to stage their conference, thanks to Scotland’s referendum, also allows them to frame their message around their rivals performance: “Do you want Nigel Cameron, Ed Hollande – or Nice Nick?”
Lib Dem conference chairfolk use a verb rarely heard in the outside world now. They invite speakers to come to the rostrum and “summate”. Obviously, it stems from the Latin summare, to aggregate or sum up. Only a respectable cousin of “consummate”. Party black sheep like Mike Hancock and Chris Rennard are conspicuous in Glasgow by their absence. • Lib Dem conference chairfolk use a verb rarely heard in the outside world now. They invite speakers to come to the rostrum and “summate”. Obviously, it stems from the Latin summare, to aggregate or sum up. Only a respectable cousin of “consummate”. Party black sheep such as Mike Hancock and Chris Rennard are conspicuous in Glasgow by their absence.
With his Johnny-Cash, black-shirt look, Nick (“I’m not going to apologise”) Clegg remains No1 in the latest Lib Dem power list. It will not guarantee a full house for Clegg’s big speech this morning, since some delegates have gone home early. “They heard he was speaking again and fled,” says one old hand. • With his Johnny-Cash, black-shirt look, Nick (“I’m not going to apologise”) Clegg remains No 1 in the latest Lib Dem power list. It will not guarantee a full house for his big speech this morning, since some delegates have gone home early. “They heard he was speaking again and fled,” says one old hand.
Lake District MP, Tim Farron, roused the rabble in his final speech as a popular party president, more early Wordsworth than late. But replacing him is proving hard. Wannabes have to get 200 delegates’ signatures to be eligible. “They’re mostly women, but dull ones,” admits a power list woman. • Lake District MP, Tim Farron, roused the rabble in his final speech as a popular party president, more early Wordsworth than late. But replacing him is proving hard. Wannabes have to get 200 delegates’ signatures to be eligible. “They’re mostly women, but dull ones,” admits a power list woman.
Quote of the day: “When my turn comes and I can’t remember my name, let alone where I was when president Kennedy was shot, it is generation rent who will look after me.” – Islington baby boomer, Barbara Smith, in the ageing debate. • Quote of the day: “When my turn comes and I can’t remember my name, let alone where I was when President Kennedy was shot, it is generation rent who will look after me.” – Islington baby boomer, Barbara Smith, in the ageing debate.