I find all the party conferences frustrating, because the media focus on the disagreements between people and too much on "personalities" rather than on the issues that I want to hear about.
The Lib Dems came across as more positive about their prospects, but with a sense of realism that, however much many of us would want to see them in government, it was not likely under the present system. I was surprised that there was no emphasis on proportional representation for elections. Scotland is using this alongside first-past-the-post, and it does allow for smaller parties to get representation.
I feel that the Lib Dems are well on the way to being a credible party of government - but perhaps the election after next.
I question their apparent rejection of willingness to be part of a coalition. At least then they would be able to gain experience of power.
The matter of the council tax needs reviewing, but is a local income tax the answer? To have another major change would be very costly and I would prefer to see the present system improved by taking into account the change in value in house prices, and to offer rebates to those on low incomes who have lived in their homes for many years.
I liked the imaginative ideas about dealing with young offenders. Prison really is no answer. We must change attitudes! The policies on prison of both the present and previous government are too harsh. I am particularly concerned about the number of women in prison; surely the need is for treatment for addictions and community sentences. These would enable these women to become better citizens and good mothers.
The big plus for me was the Lib Dems' stand against the Iraq war. But can they offer really constructive ways of disengagement to bring peace? And what about the "road map" for peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
