Party Conferences

When you think of the ordeal of the British hostage, Ken Bigley, and his family, and see the news coverage of the deteriorating situation in Iraq, it is difficult to focus on the normal business of politics. Yet during the annual party conference season, we must. These events are crucial for the health of our democracy.

At party conferences, political leaders get tested. By their own parties, and by the press. Although things are mostly stage-managed and the press rarely report the whole story, the party conference is a time for each party to set out their priorities, and be questioned.

So this year, on an issue like tax, Labour are talking about tax credits. Liberal Democrats talk about fairer tax and our idea to scrap council tax, while the Conservatives will talk about the pressing need to reform inheritance tax, so people can inherit more than the current £263,000 tax-free threshold.

You may hate all politicians, but these debates about policy priorities are essential. For democracy to work, voters need a real choice.

It's easy to be cynical and say "you are all the same", but party conferences show we're not. There are real policy differences - whether it's Iraq, tuition fees, pensions or the NHS. And people will have different views on which politicians and parties they can trust. Then it's over to you.