Well that it is for another year, on the train back to London. Brown is in a stronger position than when he started and the right of the party is split – i.e. a good conference. The moderate, pragmatic centre left around Compass are on the move.
Today was ‘women’s day’. Didn’t start too well. Apparently at 3am Ruth Kelly resigned- in the bar of the Radisson! Well I was in the bar at 3am and I’m sure Ruth was not there. Although I do remember the whole of the press gallery running into the Hotel lobby after some familiar looking guy.
Harriet made a barnstorming speech. Didn’t get in the Conference Centre myself- wasn’t even sure that male delegates were allowed in this morning. Harriet and her gang have worked tirelessly all week- Chris Bryant, her PPS, should get a ministerial job for sure.
Reshuffle imminent- on ‘women’s day’ I suggest putting four women I met last night in the Cabinet- Carol Malone, Polly Toynbee, Alice Miles and Anne Treneman; now that would put some jump leads on the government.
Final fringe discussion ended with a strange question ‘what phrase fills you with dread?’ The winning response- not mine- ‘now let’s have a few words from David Aaronovitch’.
Overall a fascinating few days- a vibrant fringe discussing economics, inequality, tax and spend in a proper, open way. The first time for nearly 15 years- and the ceiling didn’t fall in.
Heroes of the week: Alastair Darling, Boo Weekley and Tom Watson’s family.
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