The Liberal Democrats in Harrogate: Quotes of the day

'We won't have ethnic cleansing here.' Nigel Jones, MP for Cheltenham, debating controls on travellers' mobile homes.

'The Maastricht treaty was conceived in secret, its birth bungled by 12 midwives pulling in different directions.' David Grace, Brussels & Luxembourg representative.

'John Thomson from Devizes asked me, 'Are referendums only good when they produce the result you want?' . . . Yes, of course they are.' Sir Russell Johnston.

'There is a psephological term for the argument Alex Carlile used - it is 'bollocks'.' Simon Titley, speaking in favour of a ban on fox hunting.

'We are the party that can talk about animal protection: after all, we did bring a parrot back from the dead.' David Fox, North Dorset Council.

'Life's too short to stuff a mushroom. And for most people, life's too short to go on without achievement.' Chris Davies, Littleborough & Saddleworth, on the need for a dialogue with other parties.

'Socialism may be dead in the pussycat South-east. Elsewhere, socialism is the practice of power for the sake of power.' Martin Thomas, Wrexham.

'Why vote for the organ grinder when you can have the monkey?' Tony Greave, on why voters might vote Labour in a Labour/Lib Dem pact.

'Which Labour Party do we want to talk to? Socialism isn't dead in some Labour parties.' Liz Lynne, MP for Rochdale.

'Talking to Labour would be as bad for us as a hole in the head.' Simon Corden, Swindon council.