Conference summary

As no one else has posted on it yet, though would do a quick summary of Saturday's conference for members who couldn't make it.

As well as Andrew Withers election as party leader, the following officers were elected:

Chairman: Nic Coome
Treasurer: John Watson
Communications Director: Ken Ferguson
Nominating and membership Officer: Simon Fawthrop
Policy Director: Tim Carpenter

SE Branch Officers:
Regional Coordinator: Andy Janes (myself)
Treasurer: Simon Gibbs
Secretary: Rob Waller

Biggest discussion was over the proposal to change the party's name to the Libertarian and Constitution Part. This was rejected, along with a few other amendments to the constitution. We did agree to replacing the post of Communications Director with two posts - a Campaigns Director who would handle the newsletter, leaflet designs and suchlike, and the Online Communications Director who would be in charge of the website.

After that we agreed that the party should support the yes campaign in next year's AV referendum as a slight improvement on the status quo, and to look into a policy on campaigning for the reform of the electoral deposit system. Case in point- we briefly spoke on running a candidate for the London mayoral election until someone pointed out it needs a £10k deposit!

We finished by 3 and then had a few well deserved beers. Overall was a productive day