A personal view of this year’s East Midlands Conference, AGM and European Dinner

I had a fantastic and hectic day on Saturday at the East Midlands AGM and Conference. The day was packed with debate (HS2, Food Waste and A fair deal for the low paid and less well off) training on fundraising and membership recruitment, and of course the important business of the past year's work of the Regional Committee.

Chairman Tony Rogers gave a speech thanking local Chairs for their leadership and doing all they could to keep local parties going. He also thanked local parties for their generosity in supporting the fundraising appeal towards the Euro 2014 Elections.

I was particularly keen to hear from Baroness Liz Barker who came to speak to Conference about her work in the Lords. Afterwards she told me that Shirley Williams had been a great political influence to her. This was evident when Liz spoke-she had the same basic engagement along with a directness that makes you instantly want to listen to what she has to say!

Nottingham local party put forward a motion on food waste which was debated and passed as was Chesterfield's (with an amendment).

The "hot topic" was HS2. This was the second time in recent conferences we have looked at the impact of HS2. The submitted motion to "scrap it" was defeated but not before many contributors had spoken.

One of the main emphasises of the conference was our shared commitment to fight to return Bill Newton Dunn as our Euro MEP in 2014. Bill, along with a number of the other candidates, was at Conference to speak and answer questions about Europe. He reminded members (as if a reminder was needed!) of the terrible attendance record of UKIP MEPs, and to carry the message forward that we must stay in Europe to safeguard thousands and thousands of jobs.

In the evening I was delighted to go to a European Dinner at The Queens Head in Nassinton. MP Julian Huppert was guest speaker and entertained us with his energy and humour, giving an insight into what it is like to be a working MP. Bill Newton Dunn, along with four of the five Euro Candidates, was there to support the fundraising evening which included a popular auction. Top prize was a trip for two, lunch, and a tour in Brussels as Bill's guest. I was tempted!

I think what was so positive about the day and evening was the high attendance, the passionate and informed debating, and the Lords, Westminster and Euro support that we, in the East Midlands, were pleased to receive. Our Conference was a success because of the combined hard work of the organising committee, the contributors and our members.

Important work was done here, training, debating and letting members have their say. I am already looking forward to Gainsborough. We'll see you there!

Julia Cambridge is PPC for Chesterfield. The next Action Day in Chesterfield is on Saturday 30th November - for further information telephone Josh Robinson on 07506 122 238.