Labour expected to follow Lib-Dems in planning a Liverpool conference

Mar 8 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

THE arrival of the Liberal Democrat conference in Liverpool could be just the start of the city as a major political conference centre.

Last night officials at the BT Convention Centre said other parties had already shown interest in staging their conferences at the waterfront venue and they were “hopeful” of securing Labour.

Lord Rennard, chief executive of the Lib-Dems, said the party was impressed with Liverpool and bringing the party’s main Autumn conference was “certainly a possibility”.

Around 1,500 delegates were expected in Liverpool for the party’s biggest ever Spring Conference and the first for new leader Nick Clegg.

“The Lib-Dems were very keen to be the first major party to bring its conference to Liverpool, especially in Capital of Culture,” said Lord Rennard.

“We want to encourage other people to follow. We want people to come and see the regeneration as the place is in a much better condition than it was 10 or 15 years ago.”

There have been rumours that Labour are interested in eventually bringing their conference to the city.

“What all the parties tend to do is put their Spring Conferences into a venue,” said Jacquie Rogers, general manager of the BT Convention Centre.

“If they like it and the delegates like it, they would look at bringing their main conference.

“To get a party political conference in the first two weeks of opening is very important, there are other venues that have been trying for years. So this sends out a very positive message and adds kudos.”

She said the reaction to the Kings Dock venue had been “very upbeat”.

Nick Clegg last night celebrated his party’s record in Liverpool as he arrived for the conference.

“It is wonderful to be here in Liverpool, not only is it a great British city but also an icon of the world.”

He said his party’s message in May’s local elections would be simple. “Do you think Liverpool is a better place to live in now than 10 years ago? The overwhelming answer is yes.”

He was backed up by Lord Rennard, born in Liverpool in 1960, who attended Mosspits Primary School in Wavertree and the Blue Coat.

Lord Rennard said: “We will be reminding people how bad things were before 1998, when Liverpool had the highest council tax in the country. This is not the same city it was 10 years ago.”

Southport MP John Pugh, a Lib-Dem Treasury spokesman, who defied the party whip on the EU referendum looks likely to escape serious censure.

Mr Clegg said: “I am a great fan of John’s, but when there is a three line whip one needs to make sure there’s a basic sense of collective discipline.”