Conference season has been and gone. Labour have had a very good week. the conservatives a good week and the less said about the lib dems the better.....(http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/oct/05/miliband-cameron-approval-ratings-poll).It was at least memorable with more clear blue water- no pun intended than in recent memory (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10356346/Conference-season-What-a-party-that-was.html).
The conservatives have made some good noises about the growth of the british economy, they have also taken themselves into UKIP territory with some arguing such as the Spectator they risk alienating the centre ground as the party moves further to the right(http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/2013/10/tories-shift-their-plans-on-benefits-for-under-25s/). Yet the tories is seems have enjoyed a boost from the Manchester conference with George Osbourne making much of Ed Millibands plans to control energy prices until 2017(http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/433816/It-s-nonsensical-Cameron-hits-out-at-Labour-s-economic-plan-in-conference-party-speech); as well as making political hay of generating some small economic and employment growth in the general European gloom(http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24045546).
It would however be remiss if I wasnt to mention the proposed under 25 welfare reforms whereby benefits could be cut to those not in work or education under the age of 25 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24369514). This however could be seen to be business as usual and for those on the left perhaps a party bereft of new ideas, with the TUC arguing that much of this idea had the ramification of penalising the young rather than getting them into gainful employment. Not to mention there is still controversy around the Work Programme and its apparent inability to deliver (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions/series/work-programme-statistics--2).
However Ed Milliband has overcome it appears allegations of being a personality vacuum with his ideas around appropriating undeveloped land and his plans to freeze energy prices(http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2013/sep/30/ed-miliband-energy-cap-policy-blunder). He struck a chord it appears with his ideas around a cost of living crisis which despite successes of the conservatives in reducing unemployment ( however dubious those numbers may be). This might be an excellent strategy with many conservatives shifting onto this ground ,however it has also exposed him to criticisms to being unrealistic and Labour reverting to a socialist utopian party. Yet despite the allegations there was excuse the pun very little red meat. Now there was talk of reforming zero hours contracts , of increasing apprenticeships for young people and some general talk of raising the minimum wage. Yet I found little in essence to get excited about.
As for the Liberal democrats there was a lot of it defending itself from criticism over lack of opposition to the Conservatives cuts with it arguing they would be a whole lot worse without the moderation of the Lib dems, his party claiming partial credit for the economic recovery (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2424728/Lib-Dem-leader-Nick-Clegg-delivers-electoral-suicide-note-party-conference.html). However any hope of it moving to the left seems to be short lived with many in the party wishing to be seen as socially responsible yet fiscally prudent unlike the 1990s where it could be viewed as to the left of Labour until the election of Nick Clegg as party leader.
Whether it ammounted to very much I do not know. It appears given the small boost of the labour and conservative party in the opinion polls . It appears a lot of heat has been generated around the labour and conservative camps. However very little is still being said despite Ed breaking his vow of silence over policy (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/an-in-depth-look-at-labour-conference-week-ed-milibands-speech--did-you-hear-what-i-heard-8846580.html).
What this does signal is the beginning of an attempt by the three parties to define themselves in time for the general election in 2015. With Labour promising better living standards, the Conservatives better economic prospects in exchange for continuing with the economic austerity measures (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/conservative-party-conference-david-cameron-defends-tory-plan-for-more-seven-years-of-austerity-8851117.html) and continuing with its theme of controlling immigration and welfare. The liberal democrats it appears taking the middle of the centre ground wishing to be the party of moderation.
It appears with two main parties attacking each other , one as socialist , the other as callous and out of touch, whether or not this translates beyond London ,the South East and the media depends on whether they have any actual ideas and whether their policies make a difference in real peoples lives. Otherwise this was an autumn of all sound and no fury.
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