Lib Dems get used to the first conference in coalition
But they were probably a little gentler in pace than the Labour and Conservative gatherings.
What a difference being in power makes.
is buzzing.
There's more media, more lobbyists, more delegates and more security.
The police boat in the Mersey all feels a little James Bond - sandals and beards it ain't.
The question is, has this Conference now lost its innocence, and its bite? Is it in danger of becoming as stage managed as its rivals' gatherings?
Not if this morning is anything to go by.
The party members still proved they can't be managed. The leadership suffered a heavy defeat over the Coalition's free schools policy.
It doesn't change the policy, but it seems to have made the members feel a bit better about themselves - more distinctly Lib Dem.
Mind you, it probably doesn't do the leadership much damage either in the end.
They give members their moment of rebellion, but coalition government continues unaltered.
And overall the mood here in Liverpool is positive.
There's no sign of outright rebellion and anger.
There's a desire for reassurance, a need to feel that the party still exists as a separate entity, but no disintegration.
The feeling in the media is that next year could be tougher, especially if the party loses council seats and the referendum on electoral reform.
It's the party's task this week to set in motion plans that can avoid both those eventualities, and keep us mischief-seeking reporters at bay for another year.
One area they might well look at is the impact of any cuts on the region.
A fringe meeting organised by the at lunchtime focused on how the region can work together to achieve the private sector growth it needs.
The consensus was that it will need a regional economic partnership on top of the five smaller Local Enterprise Partnerships planned for the North East.
David Faulkner, the leader of Newcastle City Council, believes Business Secretary Vince Cable is convinced of that, but he thinks others in government need persuading.
I'm guessing that's the Conservative side of the coalition.
Delivering in that sort of area will be vital if the party is to convince its local activists that it can make more of a difference in power than out of it.
I'm Richard Moss, the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s Political Editor for the North East and Cumbria. Welcome to my irreverent - but hopefully insightful - northern take on reporting politics for Look North and the Politics Show.
Comments
or to comment.