Enthusiastic, disjointed bemusement: Lib Dem conference so far

There is still a real buzz around Liberal Democrat events created by the volume, talent and eagerness of the party’s new members. That has been on display again at the party’s conference in Brighton. That is the enthusiasm of my headline.

As for the disjointed nature of the conference, consider this. Just before it, Tim Farron said education was his top priority. Then wander around conference, look through the paperwork or listen to the events. Education pops up now and again but not in a way that would give a clue it is now the top priority unless you already knew it is meant to be.

Finally, the bemusement epitomised by the most common question I’ve been asked – versions of ‘why are we flatlining in the polls even though we’ve started recovering in council by-elections?’

The good news in that question is that it shows a welcome realism about the limits of Premature Stakhanovite Optimism. It also shows a willingness to consider the tough choices necessary to change the way the party campaigns and operates. What it also needs is a degree of leadership to bring them about, and that so far – for a range of reasons, including the inevitable press of daily events on a small team – is mostly lacking.

The welcome changes flowing from the Governance Review in how the party makes and implements strategy (which I spoke in favour of on Sunday) make that easier now to do. But they still require people to step forward to make it happen.

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