Conference diary

* CASUALTY OF THE DAY
Spare a thought for Lord Razzall "Dazzall", Charles Kennedy's head of campaigns, who is walking around with a conspicuously-bandaged finger. A rogue insect bit the Lib Dem peer just as he was leaving for Blackpool and his finger swelled to truly hideous proportions. Luckily Evan Harris MP, a former GP, was there to provide free medical advice - if the infected finger hasn't healed by today he plans to prescribe antibiotics.

* UNDERCOVER OPERATOR OF THE DAY
Phil Willis, the likeable chairman of the Science Select Committee, is a popular figure among Lib Dem delegates and his parliamentary colleagues. But the MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough is rather keen to conceal his Lib Dem credentials from his Blackpool landlady. As he was checking in she declared: "I hope you are not one of those Lib Dems. We only have Tories here."

GINGER BABY
Politicians may love kissing babies, but Charles Kennedy's sprog, Donald, is being kept well away from the Lib Dem crowds. However, one sighting of Kennedy junior suggests he is the image of his father - with a shock of red hair.

TODAY'S AGENDA
10am: Speech by Graham Watson, MEP.
10.30am: Debate on the Post Office.
11.20am: Speech by Vince Cable, Treasury spokesman.
12.25pm: Speech by Sarah Teather, local government spokesman.
2.15pm: Emergency debate on preventing terrorism and defending civil liberties.