Never mind the equinox, how quickly autumn sets in. I am sure I'm not alone in having got soaked this past weekend, but it's not just the rain that bothers me, nor that the heating's been turned on and it's still only September. No, for me, it's those nights drawing in that tip me over into my customary autumnal gloom.

That, and the party conference season. Never has so much hot air been expounded by so many to so few who believe a word they are hearing. Well, not since last year − when the Lib Dems were, um, threatening to tax the rich.

Should we cover them in depth? Like the format or not, a lot of future policy is floated at the conferences and we are duty bound to give it more space than we might be inclined to, because − spookily − there is usually not much other news about.

As ever, you will let us know your views − and perhaps even in person. In an attempt to lift the autumnal gloom and celebrate our second birthday, i will try to shrug off conference season and launch party season. So, on Tuesday 23 October at 7-9pm, we will be holding our second birthday party (two years! TWO YEARS!) to which, as ever, you are cordially invited.

The stunning venue this time is the brand new Skyloft, a pop-up warehouse-style events space at the top of Westminster's Millbank Tower, right by the Thames. The views down on to Parliament and across the capital are unmatched, and the decor is almost as cool, too.

So, if you would like to apply for a pair of tickets, please send an email to i@independent.co.uk and quote "i party" in the subject line. Tickets will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and we guarantee that a selection of your favourite (and perhaps not-so favourite) i names will be there. Free food and drink, those fabulous views, the sparkling company of the i family of readers and writers? That's nothing to say "sorry" for!

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