Conservatives plan party conference in Liverpool in run-up to next election
The Conservatives are planning to hold their annual conference in Liverpool in October, 2014 – the run-up to the next general election.
The 11,000-strong event, the first time the Tories have held their conference in the city since the 1920s, could pump as much as £15m into the local economy.
And fears strong local anti-coalition government sentiments could stymie preparations have been overruled.
Last week, Conservative Central Office (CCO) sent two small, undercover reconnaissance teams to the Labour conference to check out facilities, hotels and city amenities.
A senior CCO spokesman said: “We very impressed. Liverpool clearly has a lot to offer both in terms of conference venues and first-class attractions.”
The CCO teams had meetings with Liverpool City Council Labour Leader Joe Anderson.
Further meetings are planned with top Conservative officials, cabinet ministers and, further down the road, with premier David Cameron.
Mr Anderson said: “The Conservatives I spoke to were clearly impressed by what they saw and impressed by the determination and vitality of local people.
“Politics aside, the Labour conference injected £15m into the local economy and we expect a similar amount to be generated by a Conservative conference.
“That is certainly in the best interests of the city, and we welcome this opportunity.”
Reports from last week’s Tory conference in Manchester suggested many representatives were shocked by the sometimes hostile reception they encountered when they left the security of the conference “bubble”.
But both CCO and Mr Anderson said that was unlikely to make the party have second thoughts over choosing another north west venue.
Mr Anderson said: “Whatever the experience in Manchester, we in Liverpool can guarantee a warm, friendly welcome. We all have our own views about this government.
“But we are talking about a tremendous boost to the local economy, confirming Liverpool’s reputation as a world-class conference venue.”
Labour leader Ed Miliband thanked Liverpool as his party’s first-ever conference in the city drew to a close, describing it as a “fantastic backdrop” to the event.
[Image: David Cameron at Daresbury]
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