Neil Fawcett: my first conference memories

I joined the Liberal Party during the 1987 general election having been signed up by local Lib Dem councillor Stan Wilson. This led to my first canvassing experience on behalf of Glyn Nightingale in the ward held by Lib Dem blogger Chris Abbot and, after the election, much encouragement that I should go to conference.

So, 20 years ago this week, I was given a lift to Harrogate not having the first clue what to expect and pitched my tent in a small campsite just outside town (yes, really!). Luckily I found myself pitched next to a family of Lib Dems who were staying in their touring caravan who offered to give me a lift in to town and back each day.

The big issue was whether we should merge with the SDP.

For many longstanding members of the Liberal Party this was a difficult decision. The heart said no but the head said yes. I vividly remember the passion of those who opposed the merger and the raw emotion of the debate.

Coming from Redcar, where the Liberals and SDP had worked happily together, I didn’t quite understand the unhappy relationship that existed in some parts of the country. For me it was just The Alliance anyway.

The vote was overwhelmingly for the merger, but not without a lot of tears along the way.

During conference I also met several people from Leicester where I was about to head off to University. These included Chris (now Lord) Rennard, Arnie Gibbons, who I was later to help elect as our first out gay councillor in Leicester, Mark Jones (now in Plaid) and Iain Sharpe, now a longstanding councillor in Watford, mentor and friend.

A week after conference I was Leicester bound and, after being signed up at the Freshers stall by Chris Rennard, promptly doubled the number of active Lib Dems in the University at the time. My first election victory (to win the sixth of six places on the NUS delegation by 0.08votes) was to follow a few months later and then on to success as an elected sabbatical officer and a year on the NUS NEC.

A stint with LDYS, organiser of Evan Harris and several further campaigns jobs later and I’ve just enjoyed my 36th federal conference here in Brighton. Time doesn’t half fly when you’re having fun, and Harrogate is still my favourite conference venue by far.

Neil Fawcett is Deputy Director of Campaigns with special responsibility for the south east of England.