Regional repetition?

EVERY Labour Party regional organisation was hosting its own reception at the conference last night - from the East Midlands to the "region" of Scotland - and the Prime Minister made a point of turning up at every one of them. Whether or not he said the same thing at every one of them is a matter of some speculation.

Police ring of bright water

SECURITY may be tight in and around the Brighton Conference Centre, but Sussex Police are trying not to come over too heavy with delegates. While some forces may have gone for a tough-sounding name for their week-long presence, Sussex Police decided on "Operation Otter". Aaah.

Fair trade forgotten for tea

WHEN the right-on tribes of the political left gather, the cause of trade justice is always high on the agenda. The message appears to be lost on the Labour spinners, though - their private kitchen sports a big box of non fair-trade teabags.

Snubbed again

IT'S bad not to be welcome in Cape Town, but even worse to be shunned at a Labour Party conference. Jack McConnell was looking forward to posing with Ken Livingstone at a meeting, but the London mayor cancelled without explanation.

Safety in numbers

OF COURSE, just because Sussex Police are nice, it doesn't mean they're stupid. A "dividend" of the conference has seen dozens of arrests in Brighton in the heightened security run-up. The use of a new vehicle number-plate recognition system - along with 1,300 officers - has led to 43 arrests in the city in the last week.

Tony's tune

YOU heard it here first. Tony Blair's big speech is always introduced with some cutting-edge pop tune that also carries a not-so-subtle message to the faithful. This year's is If the Kids are United, by Sham 69. In case you don't know the lyrics, the chorus is "If the kids are united then we'll never be divided".