Tory Party Conference: A postcard from Blackpool

In past years, as Party Conference venues go, Blackpool seemed more suited to the ‘beer and sandwiches’ days of the Labour Party, whereas Bournemouth seemed more appropriate for the genteel presence of the Conservatives. This year, Blackpool and the Conservatives seemed to have much in common. Susie Hughes reports from Blackpool for UKTECH.

Blackpool and Conservatives

Blackpool, once one of the liveliest holiday resorts in the UK, seemed sadly ‘empty’ as holiday-makers who had been faithful to the North West seaside resort for decades had found sunnier climes - or just stayed at home.

The resort, once colourful and exciting, seemed well past its former glory and a bit jaded and drab, existing on a sense of happier by-gone days where its popularity was unquestioned. There were also no obvious signs that it knew how to reverse the trend.

And perhaps one of the other shared features was the experience of the weather. The North-Westerly wind blew so hard on the sea front that it was impossible to walk a straight course. Conservative leader, Iain Duncan Smith must have known what it felt like as it seemed that at every junction when he tried to talk about policies, he was blown off course by more speculation about his survival as leader.

Iain Duncan Smith

IDS is clearly a decent, intelligent man with a passionate commitment to his Party and country and an equally passionate loathing of New Labour and Tony Blair. But he just doesn’t sell it. To this effect he is a Tory version of the comic book hero 'The Incredible Hulk' - most of the time quietly spoken with carefully considered delivery - but mention TB in ear-shot and you could be forgiven for thinking that he is about to turn green and burst out of his shirt!

While many supporters talk about the substance and hidden depths of the ‘Quiet Man’, most of the speculation among the political chattering classes is not ‘if’ or ‘when’ he will go - but how and who will take over.

Most believe there is a two-pronged attack heading in his direction - the grass roots Chairmen of the local associations are, allegedly, plotting to muster a vote of no confidence. While the MPs are already more than half way towards getting the 25 dissenters they need to force the issue. If the latter route is first past the post, then the theory is that the Party will put forward only one candidate or a Dream Ticket which would remove the necessity for a messy public contest. But would it be the old blood of the Tory vanguard or the young Pretenders waiting in the wings?

Who was where?

Blackpool has never been a popular venue with many conference goers from all Parties who complain frequently and loudly about the distance from London; the poor transport links; the lack of facilities in the B&Bs (although when all my lights and heating went off late one evening in my room and I realised I had to find and feed an electricity meter to keep warm and be able to work, I did have a degree of sympathy); the weather; the lack of mobile phone reception and general Northernist grumpiness.

Usually, the buzz of the conference will lift the mood of delegates and professional conference goers, but this year, it just didn’t happen - and that can’t solely be blamed on the weather.

Conference hotel and receptions are usually packed out, ensuring that moving about, meeting anyone or ordering a round of drinks is an exercise in endurance. On Sunday evening, the first night of the Conference, the main cry was ‘Where is everyone?’.

Monday was no better. The old Winter Gardens is the cavernous venue for the Conference and exhibition. Usually a huge downstairs hall; the upstairs ‘horseshoe’ and another spacious area are devoted to exhibition stands dominated by corporate organisations, keen to be seen doing their bit for political relations with a current or future Government; charities; pressure groups and anyone else interested in being seen to be there.

One of the few corporate exhibitors was EDS who had a stand promoting their value at both Party Conferences. Given their involvement with both freelancers and the Government, I asked for an interview for UKTECH about why they were there and what they hoped to achieve. The nice young man promised someone would get back to me - they never did.

Numbers

Although some of the protagonists were sometimes a bit coy about putting out firm numbers for comparison, one report suggested that a head count of people and events indicated that the Conservatives were falling behind.

Hired stalls at the exhibition

• Labour - 220;
  
• Conservative - 57;
  
• Lib Dems - 94

Fringe meetings

• Labour - 383;
  
• Conservative - 174;
  
• Lib Dems 249.

Hours of conference debate

• Labour - 27;
  
• Conservative - 13;
  
• Lib Dem - 33.

Passes for attendees

• Labour - 18,000;
  
• Conservative - 8,000;
  
• Lib Dems - unknown.

Conclusion

There is still an interesting and worthwhile debate to be had as to whether the Government and Labour Party, currently facing its worst time since taking power, has ‘done enough to lose the next General Election'.

However, there was very little debate about whether the Conservative Party had done enough to win it - even the most loyal followers of the Party must have left Blackpool realising the future was as bleak as the weather.

For UKTECH's view of last week's Labour Party Conference in Bournemouth, see Labour Party Conference: A postcard from Bournemouth