Manchester-bound

Off to Manchester tomorrow morning - spending the day attending 3 main events at the UK-conference:

1.00pm - The Co-operative Councils Network
Power to the People: How can the principles of Co-operation improve local public services? The Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Rt. Hon. Hilary Benn MP, will be joined by members of the Co-operative Councils Network sharing their experiences.

2.15pm - LEADERS Q&A with Ed Miliband, Leader of the Labour Party.

4.00pm – Community Organising – the Edinburgh Story
In Edinburgh the local Labour Party used social media to involve thousands of local residents in the writing of their manifesto. Come along and listen to Edinburgh campaigners tell their own story. Arnie Graf will also join us to talk about how Community Organising can work for your local Labour Party.

I am looking forward to the day, especially the 4pm slot --- and, whilst I know I'm somewhat biased, I did think Ed Miliband's speech earlier was a complete and total triumph: will be interesting to see the press coverage tomorrow and sample the reaction on-the-ground at the conference itself?

But regardless, for me - at long last - he managed to come across on camera ... in the most challenging of environments ... as he does in person: relaxed, bright, interested, thoughtful and yes, even funny :-)