Sir Menzies and friends pose by a giant
ice cream. Photo: Chris Ison/PA.Which mad genius is planning Sir Menzies Campbell's photo-opportunities down at the Liberal Democrat conference this year? That's the question being asked around the coffee table in the cramped bowels of the Brighton Centre.
First of all, Ming celebrates Charles Kennedy's triumphant homecoming speech yesterday by immediately heading off to a fruit juice bar. Ostensibly it was to learn more about the problems facing small businessess, but it doesn't take a Peter Mandelson to join up the dots - alcoholic former leader versus former Olympic sprinter and wheatgrass imbibing current leader.
But if that was all to the positive, this morning's turn before the cameras looks more of a clanger - a private visit to the local hospital in Brighton. As even Sir Ming's kindest critics would admit, the leader is an elderly-looking 65 who recently recovered from a cancer. Disappearing into a hospital prompted mutterings among the ever-cynical photographers: "What if they don't discharge him?".
This afternoon sees Sir Ming and Lady Elspeth touring the stalls at the conference. If I was his media minder, I'd be steering him well clear of the Help the Aged booth.
