Political Currency What REALLY goes on at party conference?
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Sep 29, 2025 Join Sir Oliver Letwin, a former Conservative MP and Cabinet minister, as he shares a gripping first-hand account of the 1984 Brighton bombing. The conversation delves into the chaotic world of party conferences, from managing applause for political leaders to the intense security measures in place. Letwin reflects on the lasting impact of political violence on conference life, while discussing the fine line between messaging and reality. Discover how small incidents can create significant headlines in this insightful exploration of political dynamics.
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Conferences Create A Goldfish Bowl
- Conference life creates a
Managing A Leader's Spouse
- Eric Pickles once sat next to Denis Thatcher to cue him when to applaud during 1980s Tory conference speeches.
- Denis Thatcher learned to sit on his hands to avoid inappropriate applause after a year of coaching.
Faxing Speeches To No.10
- George Osborne's early job included faxing Tony Blair's Labour speech from conference to No.10 because it was pre-internet.
- His official role at Labour conference was as the Conservative 'observer' keeping government informed.