Bournemouth is quite the melting pot this weekend. The seaside town is used to the influx of summer tourists, but something else quite special has happened. Not only has Bournemouth been invaded by the Liberal Democrat party and all its followers… but it is also Bournemouth University’s freshers’ week.

In many ways, the two annual events have much in common – they can both involve silly amounts of alcohol and a lot of new friends who you never speak to again. “Hi, I’m Amber. Which hotel/halls are you in?”

Incidentally, I have just been informed about something to watch out for at this year’s conference. It is a game being played by three young London students with conference passes, entitled ‘Lifting the Lib’. Imagine a consensual and less painful version of ‘happy slapping’ and you are more or less there.

According to my source, it involves one young man taking charge of the camera, while the other two find a recognisable MP or their researcher. When they stumble upon a suitable candidate, they pick up the well-suited man/woman under each arm, lifting their feet off the ground, while the third young scamp simply points and clicks. While this behaviour is obviously irresponsible, I am told that it has all been taken in jest.

Also poked my head into a charity question time with Jenny Willott. All very amiable. The only thing that really caught my attention was news that a local Dorset sanctuary, which cares for 400 donkeys, has been given £15m. That works out as £37,500 per donkey. Ass-tonishing. (Sorry).

So it all appears to be fun and games down here in Bournemouth. I will be back later with something of more substance from the main hall. That is, if I am not kidnapped by a group of intoxicated students.