The night before conference ended up going out to explore Birmingham- there’s such a buzz around the city-promised myself an early night…got to bed about 3am I think with so many Conservatives in one place sleeping is clearly over rated!!
Getting ready was bit of a mission this morning as I donned a yellow dress; promptly got told to change into blue… I did a rare moment of doing what I was told it (so very sparkly blue outfit with dauntingly high heels; which I’m paying for now…)
I feel like I have accosted most of the shadow cabinet today- have a look at the pics George Osborne was just lovely. I went along to “The F Word” the debate on lottery funding and met Francis Maude.
There have been so many highlights today it’s difficult to pick one… hmmm so I’m going to pick two- I submitted a question to the nations and regions session and Cheryl Gillan who was chairing the meeting picked my question to ask which was great as I was sitting in the front row at the time and meeting David Cameron was really exiting.
I recently got onto the Conservative party approved candidates list so it was great to steal a couple of minutes and have a chat with him about that.
Everyone has been so friendly; thrilled to no longer be a conference virgin; Iain Dale was the first person I bumped into today at his Total Politics stand- he’s such a giggle.
Well am about ready to go back to the hotel for a quick change- can’t wait until tomorrow-spoke to my parents earlier apparently I was on Sky News today the line was… It’s all smiles at the Tory party conference..” followed by a very cheesy shot of me smiling – lots to smile about at conference can’t wait until tomorrow.
( 1 comments ) Tags: Conference
Comment by Paul Wynn on September 29, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I was glad to read that Shazia had a positive experience with day one of the conference and her visit to Birmingham. As a West Midlands Conservative, I am extremely proud that this years Party Conference is being held in Birmingham, a city that I love.
I often bring International business colleagues into Birmingham and they are always amazed at how wonderful it is, the only complaint is usually about the weather!
Sunday was also my first time at a party conference. I found it quite overwhelming, so much going on and so many people. I know the ICC and Symphony Hall areas very well and even I found it bewildering at times.
During my day at the conference, I did not meet anyone that I personally know and found it a little intimidating that everyone else seemed to know each other.
Highlights for me were the unsecheduled but highly motivating speech from David Cameron and of course the entertaining and always brilliant Boris Johnson.
I will be returning to the conference during Tuesday and Wednesday, hoping to change from being merely a spectator to someone fully engaged in the proceedings.
I wish everyone an enjoyable and informative conference experience.