Nik Darlington, 05.12.2011

Journalist and historian

David Cameron is one of life's natural optimists. He wants the British people to "summon the appetite to fight for a better future". If material economic gains will only slowly fill the nation's bellies, Mr Cameron will need to offer something alternatively holistic to feed the nation's soul.

James Mills, 20.11.2011

Labour Party Researcher, Campaigner and Commentator

If the proposed rainbow coalition of smaller parties and Labour was not possible it was not the only option. The Lib Dems could have told the Tories to go it alone as a minority Government. The Lib Dem defence for entering Coalition instead of remaining in opposition is bazaar, as it is big headed.

Stuart Bonar, 19.11.2011

Lib Dem campaigner and blogger

Coming to Liberal Democrat conference has changed over the years. It used to be the case that you were ignored. You'd spend your days earnestly debating policy motions and amendments then read precisely zilch about it in the next day's papers.