Conference guide

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Party conference season has kicked off with the Liberal Democrats in Bournemouth. Here is your guide to the next three weeks of political action.

WHAT IS A PARTY CONFERENCE?

It is an annual event where MPs, MEPs, local councillors and ordinary party members gather to debate and vote on policies and listen to speeches. It is the one occasion in the year when political leaders come face-to-face with ordinary party members. Traditionally, conferences were all about forming the policies that would go in the next election manifesto. But in recent years they have become increasingly stage-managed events aimed at gaining positive media coverage.

SO WHAT IS THE POINT OF THEM?

Conferences can still provide moments of genuine surprise and drama. Many a political career has been made or broken by a party conference speech and the debates at fringe meetings and in the main hall are normally lively and well-attended. They are also an opportunity for the party faithful to spend three or four days debating policies, catching up with old friends and partying.

WHEN ARE THEY HAPPENING?

The Liberal Democrats are in Bournemouth from Saturday, September 13, to Wednesday, September

Labour will be in Manchester from Saturday, 20 September to Wednesday, 24 September.

The Conservatives will be in Birmingham, from Sunday, 28 September to Wednesday, 1 October

WHAT IS DIFFERENT THIS YEAR?

There is no need to pack a bucket and spade. With the exception of the Lib Dems, the parties have all abandoned the seaside and moved inland. So no more pictures of windswept politicians staring out to sea.

HOW DO I FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON?

The BBC will be providing full coverage on radio, the News Website and Parliament channel. The Daily Politics, on BBC Two, will also be live from each of the three big conferences and there will be a half hour Today at Conference programme every evening, with Andrew Neil.

<a class="bodl" href="<CPS:LINK HREF=">Daily Politics conference coverage</a>

WHERE WILL THE FIREWORKS BE?

All eyes will be on Labour this year. There is plenty of discontent about Gordon Brown's leadership but the party is not yet in open revolt. That could all change in Manchester. David Miliband might also be in for an interesting week. The media will be scrutinizing his every utterance for signs of a leadership bid. Jack Straw, Harriet Harman and Alan Johnson - the other names most often talked about as leaders-in-waiting - will also have to demonstrate extreme loyalty at all times or face similar headlines.

THE SPEECH OF HIS LIFE

That hoariest of conference cliches - the leader must make the speech of his life - might just be true this year for Gordon Brown. He should have no trouble convincing the party faithful - they always give him a rapturous reception. But how will the media react? The danger is that it much of the speech has already been briefed in advance - it will be more personal than usual, there will be a bit of mea culpa about his leadership - so it could be short on surprises.

NOT THE SPEECH OF HIS LIFE

David Cameron just has to make sure he does not blow it. We will know if he has decided to play it safe if he retreats behind a lectern for his big end-of-conference speech on the Wednesday. Why do a "look-no-notes" special if you do not need to? He will also want to avoid appearing triumphalist. No one in the party wants a Sheffield Rally scenario - when Neil Kinnock effectively blew his chances of becoming PM by holding a victory party before polling day. But with the sort of lead the party is enjoying over Labour, some Tories may not be able to help themselves. The bars of Birmingham could be echoing to the sound of champagne corks popping.

WHAT ABOUT NICK CLEGG?

After all the intrigue and drama of recent years, Nick Clegg will find himself in more familiar Lib Dem territory with his first speech to an autumn conference as leader - trying to make himself heard beyond the hall. Will his package of proposed tax cuts capture the imagination of the floating voters the party has always relied on?

WILL THERE BE ANY SURPRISES?

Gordon Brown may not be the only one with leadership worries. A recent blog poll suggested 33% of Lib Dems were unhappy with Nick Clegg's leadership. The party has got into the habit of changing leaders in recent years - and it can be a hard one to break.

Labour's left have just about given up hope of Gordon Brown rediscovering socialism, if the TUC conference just ended is anything to go by. Will he surprise everyone with a big gesture to the grassroots such as a windfall tax on the oil companies?

And David Cameron? It was a party conference speech that made him, in 2005, surely he will not allow one to break him with the prize of Number 10 so clearly in his sights?

CAN I ATTEND A PARTY CONFERENCE?

Security is very tight and entry tends to be restricted to party members, exhibitors and the media who must seek accreditation.