A weekend far from the madding crowd

One of the curious things about political parties is how they are organised, and where power lies. It isn't always where you might think, and it isn't always in the hands of the people you think would have it.

Whilst most people look at elected politicians and, quite reasonably, assume that they run the show, quite often they have power in the land, but not in their Party. Parties, as opposed to governments, are run by committee. For example, the Leader might want candidate X to be the chosen one for constituency Y. However, Committee A might either want candidate Z or, preferably, not care if candidate J is chosen instead.

So, as Labour Party members have recently discovered as they select their European Parliamentary lists, victory goes not to the swift, or the brave, but the friends of the shortlisting committee or those who appointed it. And the Conservatives have experienced similar problems in the recent past.

We're lucky like that in the Liberal Democrats. The English Candidates Committee is notorious for ignoring the desires of others, fiercely defending the concept of a level playing field for candidates. Alright, it may not always get that right, but that is its hope and aim. Returning Officers do not influence the decisions of shortlisting committees unless those decisions defy the rules and intent thereof.

However, some committees are obscure and probably deservedly so. For example, I sit on the Financial Advisory Committee of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in Europe (ALDE). "The what of who?", I hear you ask. "Exactly!", I reply.

We offer our financial knowledge to the ALDE Party as, if you like, a backup to the Treasurer and the Secretariat. We consider funding bids and audit reports, the membership fee structure and fundraising initiatives, amongst other things. And, given my background, I was considered to be a legitimate nominee for one of the five places on the Committee.

For that reason, I'm on a Eurostar train somewhere in East Kent, heading back from today's meeting. My colleagues, from Catalonia, Croatia, Finland, Germany and the Netherlands, and I have discussed a range of issues, made some proposals for future action, and are now heading for home.

Unfortunately, it has meant more time away from the County Council campaign, although the lingering effects of shingles, combined with my study commitments, have made my contribution fairly negligible anyway.

But the sun is shining, Ros and I have enjoyed a thoroughly decent weekend in a city we both rather like, and I have six bottles of good Belgian beer in my suitcase.

Life could be far worse, couldn't it?