Running a conference at a new venue is always a risk. But Manchester has proved an inspired choice for the Conservative Spring Forum. The venue is excellent, commfortable and even has spotlessly clean loos - unlike the disgustingly filthy toilets at Bournemouth's BIC or the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. The staff here couldn't be more helpful and friendly. The hotels are also reasonably priced and clustered around the conference centre. My only previous trip to the city was to see West Ham beat Man U 1-0 at Old Trafford and I thought no return trip could live up to that, so until now I haven't been back. So well done to those at CCO who had the balls to take a flyer on Manchester - it's paid off. A tip for next year - try Cardiff!
7 comments:
How does Manchester compare to Tunbridge Wells? The beer is better, the football is better (apart from Man City of course), the accents are nicer and best of all - it is pretty much a Tory MP free city.
By the way Iain, I believe your lot now refer to it as CCHQ and not CCO.
Will you be checking out the Cardiff hotels when West Ham get to the FA Cup Final, Iain?
Cardiff is a wonderful city; a modern, vibrant, dynamic and young capital. [But I might be slightly biased ;)]
The only problem is that there is no real conference venue. The Millenimum Centre, Millenium Stadium and a few other venues can host small numbers of people, but not enough for a major gathering of either of the main parties.
The Welsh Labour Party conference is held in Swansea and Llandudno, as there is no suitable venue in Cardiff
Have just spoken to an old pal who despite being from North Wales is keen on the Cardiff idea-he did however express concern about a thing called the Swansea Boys Club causing Dave further damage-yes, I did ask what it was-but he declined to answer over our office telephone lines.
Well.... I don't want to be sectarian here Iain, as you well know, but isn't it true that the Tories don't have ANY councillors in Manchester? Of course the place is well run. Perhaps next year you will visit Birmingham and see what a shambles Mike Whitby's Tories (propped up by their little yellow friends) have made of the City over the last two years. Barely a single positive move in two wasted years.
I attended the 2002 lib dem conference here.
I think you are playing catch up.
Next year's Spring Forum is supposed to be in Nottingham - in the City Centre.
Manchester was very welcoming and a good venue - that's mighty praise from a scouser turned southerner.
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