Something happened this morning that I don't think has ever happened before. Party conferences are usually about talk. But today something special happened: the Bishop of Birmingham held the conference in total silence.

Something happened this morning that I don't think has ever happened before. Party conferences are usually about talk. But today something special happened: the Bishop of Birmingham held the conference in total silence.
 
And that moment of reflection set the tone for what's been a very different conference already. Black Voices Gospel Choir Sang; the council leader told us how Birmingham has become a global city with a local heart; and Karren Brady cheered "Come on you Blues!"

But what's exciting for me, a born and bred Brummie, is seeing so many delegates experience Birmingham properly for the first time and being visibly moved by what a great place this is. Birmingham is a confident, vibrant place that has transformed itself almost entirely into a cosmopolitan city that is largely at ease with itself.

And then Sayeeda Warsi spoke, movingly and passionately about why she is a Conservative. She told us about good communities and set out some tough policies. And so the conference was alive. Welcome to Birmingham.