Saving the planet from asteroids and tied agents

The Liberal Democrat Conference ended last week in Bournemouth with a rousing call to arms heading into next year&#39s expected general election.

The mainly blue-rinse pensioner delegates descended on the Southern seaside resort town by the coachload, determined to make their voices heard by the party that promises a new way of politics.

They were only outnumbered by the media who, desperate for something to write about after the long summer recess, showed up en masse to take advantage of the equally large amount of free alcohol.

What they found was a third party, inspired by the impressive Charles Kennedy. Based on the numerous well scripted speeches and debates held throughout the week, one could be forgiven for not realising the LibDems have about as much chance of forming the next Governmentas West Ham does of winning the Premiership this season.

There were meetings and motions about state pensions, the delivery of healthcare and, even more interestingly, about saving the planet from a future collision course with an asteroid.

In the brief window when MPs were not talking about the petrol crisis or the incompetence of the William Hague-led Conservatives, it was discovered that IFAs are well liked by the party hierarchy. Not one MP had anything but praise to heap on the importance of independent financial advice. Calls were made for the Government to relax the increasing burden of regulation on all small business, IFAs included.

Walking away from the conference one could be comforted by the fact that in the unlikely event of the LibDems being elected, IFAs would be well looked after.