I’m now back from York, having stayed on for a bit of a tourist break. I’ve spent so much time in the city over the years, but have rarely deviated from the Golden Triangle of the Barbican, Novotel and Mason’s Arms.  I did not know until Monday that I had walked past the grave of Dick Turpin many times.

Thursday and Friday

I am writing this in York on Friday morning in an exceptionally comfortable and cosy room, propped up in bed with lots of plump and luscious pillows. A cup of Earl Grey at my side. It is always strange when I am away to have a whole bed to myself and not to have find a space clinging to the edge of the bed while my husband clings to the other edge and two spaniels take up all the space they can.

I arrived in York yesterday lunchtime and spent an enjoyable afternoon in the pub (me drinking tea I’ll have you know) with my friends.

In the evening we went to Toto’s, the Italian near the Barbican. The food was brilliant and the company stunningly good. I had prawns with avocado and Marie Rose sauce – a very generous portion – and then tagliatelle with a creamy salmon sauces. The Tiramisu was chocolaty and creamy though I would have added more amaretto.

Afterwards back to the Mason’s Arms, traditionally Awkward Squad HQ and where 6 of us are staying. The landlord had kindly bought in supplies of Whitley Neill Black Cherry gin. Jennie Rigg and I had drunk them out of that by the Friday night last year.

It was great to catch up with Our Hero of Rochdale Iain Donaldson and hear all the intel about the by-election and the aftermath. All you need to know is that George Galloway is far from being universally loved on that patch.

My path to the bar was blocked by beautiful border terrier Betty who very much needed a belly rub and that was the most important thing ever.

I got to bed at a civilised hour.

Friday started in very relaxed fashion.

It was Long Covid Awareness Day, I am acutely aware of how much smaller Conference has become for me. I can no longer cope with the whirlwind from day to night. If I don’t rest in the afternoon I pretty much collapse in a heap and that can set me back for days.

So a slow start was essential laziness.

The first thing I had to do was the Social Liberal Forum lunch at 12. I need to plan and pace everything within an inch of its life which does not really come easy to as free and impetuous a spirit as me.

The Social Liberal Forum gave, I very much hope, a glimpse into the future. The three speakers are PPCs in highly winnable seats: Victoria Collins our hope for Harpenden and Berkhamsted, Josh Babarinde for Eastbourne and Bobby Dean for Carshalton and Wallington. The links to their website are included in the hope that you get on to them, donate all the money you can afford to their campaigns and do what you can to help them. They all have so much to bring to the parliamentary party and we need them to get elected.

None of them come from a privileged background. They completely understand the barriers facing so many people. They share a single minded determination to break those barriers down and create a much more just, community minded country. Victoria talked about her door knocking since the budget. People are rejecting the cynicism of the 2p National Insurance cut. They’d rather, she said, be able to see their GP.  She spoke about her work trying to get business to support the community.

Josh talked about his work with ex gang members, giving them jobs in a social enterprise fixing phone screens, about his commitment to making sure that young people have the support and opportunities to live fulfilling lives.

Bobby talked about the cynicism of so many people who may be on the electoral roll but never vote, people on Council estates who have worked hard, never had enough money and who have lost faith in any politicians to make their lives better.

All three of them were very behind using the power of the state for good to create a society where people could live their best lives.

They are three highly charismatic, articulate people. They took questions in such a warm and engaging way.  The party needs them in Parliament.

It’s very possible that the party will be in a powerful position after the Election and I am confident that, if these three wonderful people go from candidate to MP, they’ll push for us to be bold and radical.

The rest of my Friday was spent with friends, taking advantage of the buy 2 steaks, get a free bottle of wine in the Mason’s Arms. I didn’t make it to the rally but you can watch it here.

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings