Derbyshire Dales Labour

The third day of Conference was set to be the big one. Prospective MP Colin Swinell hoping to speak in the Housing debate and of course the leaders speech by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Unfortunately, the Chair of the Housing debate neglected to chose the best speaker, and Colin refocused his speech towards the Communities debate, set for Wednesday morning.

After the morning session ended, the hall was emptied in preparation for the leaders Speech. Huge queues formed in the Brighton Centre with everyone buzzing with anticipation for the speech.

Gordon delivered.

In a fantastic fightback speech, Gordon laid out important future policies for the next manifesto but also reassured everybody that the fantastic work the Labour government has done in the past 12 years will be maintained. Ensuring that the ‘green shoots’ of economic recovery would be nurtured and made safe, Prime Minister Brown invigorated the room making everyone want to go out and take the fight to the Tories.

The Prime Minister outlined interesting plans;

• Change for a new society, with measures to tackle anti social behaviour, offer of new social care for elderly people and additional funding for local authorities to keep them in their homes.
• Change of new politics, with any MP guilty of gross financial misconduct are recalled and a modernisation  of our democracy with a new voting system.
• Change for a new economy, with tough new rules for bankers and a new legal obligation for fiscal responsibility.

Colin made his live television debut speaking to The Daily Politics show before and after the Prime Minister’s key note speech, giving his honest and forthright opinion on the Prime Minister’s performance and Labour’s plans for the next parliament.

After a fantastic start to Conference on day one, the realities of what needs to be done (apart from enjoying the free drinks and food) set in.

PPC and District Councillor Colin Swindell and his team prepared a speech to be delivered at the Work and Prosperity debate, however, unfortunately, Colin was not chosen to speak at this debate.

Nevertheless, the hall was treated to rousing speeches from Chancellor Alistair Darling MP and in particular, business secretary Lord Peter Mandelson who gave an inspired and humourous fight back speech.

Both speeches inspired the Conference hall greatly and the mood once the day closed felt positive and certainly enthusiastic.

Evening activities for Day Two was a hilarious karaoke evening were members, staff and even MPs got together for a great evening to round off a great day!

After arriving in a scorching hot Brighton and settling into our respective accommodation we set off to the Brighton Centre to hear a whole host of speakers re-energising the party and kick starting Operation Fightback, to win a fourth term for Labour.

Listening to Ed Milliband MP and Douglas Alexander MP talking about potential manifesto material and further, how to campaign effectively has really charged up the Derbyshire Dales CLP to take the fight to the doorsteps.

After a pleasant break we made our way to the East Midlands Reception where Prime Minister Gordon Brown came and welcomed delegates and visitors personally, further invigorating everyone’s spirits.

Gordon was followed by Glenis Wilmott MEP for East Midlands, who congratulated all recent by-election victories, including our gain from the Tories in the Derbyshire Dales.

After meeting colleagues from across the region, including members from Amber Valley and the legendary Dennis Skinner MP, we headed back in preparation for a busy next day at Conference.

Some pictures from the East Midlands event;

Stay tuned for more updates from Conference 2009!

Members of Derbyshire Dales Labour are now on their way down to sunny Brighton for the 2009 Labour Party Conference. We will be using the DDCLP website and various social networking tools to keep any interested parties up to date with whats happening and summing up and analysing each day with a small diary feature. Stay tuned for further updates!