Harrogate 2009 - As it Happens

5.37.00pm GMT Fri 6th Mar 2009

Rolling update containing results of votes, summaries of debates and all the latest news from the party's spring conference.

Reporters: George Crozier and Rupert Dewey

Friday 6th March

17.30 Time for a report back from this afternoon'd meeting of the Federal Conference Committee - the people who schedule and plan the conference (and also the people who chair most of the debates, carrying out the challenging duty of keeping everyone to time and ensuring balance in debates).

17.00 It's good to be back in Harrogate, just a year after we were last here. On a conference circuit dominated by seaside resorts this lovely Yorkshire spa town is delightfully different. As well as the beautiful old buildings there is, right in the centre of town, one of the largest town centre parks you are likely to find in a town of this size, known as The Stray. Just the place for conference-goers to find some peace as they work to find those sparkling phrases and witty put downs for their speeches. Plus of course there are the famous Betty's Tea Rooms on - to make the MPs feel at home - Parliament Street.