28 Sep 2016 Party conference season is upon us again. The annual jamborees attract thousands of delegates and activists to hear the keynote speeches, and take part in the hundreds of fringe events away from the main arena. Each party is at an important stage right now and what happens at conference this year could have a significance well beyond the convention centre. The Lib Dems are re-building. The Greens are looking for a breakthrough. UKIP have to figure out what role they have in a post-referendum world. Perhaps most notable this year is Labour, whose Liverpool conference is closing just as the Post hits the news-stands today. They will have heard from a Leader with a refreshed mandate – one who appeals strongly to his party's membership, but less so to his parliamentary team. Next week I will be with my Conservative colleagues in Birmingham. The focus will be on the new era we now have under a new PM, and the challenges and opportunities ahead as we manage the UK’s exit from