The full Harlow contingent is in the conference hall bright and early for the emergency motion debates at 09:00. The first debate, on detention of prisoners at Guantanamo, is well argued with some effective and hard-hitting speeches.

Then it's time for the debate on Harlow's motion on the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Bill. David gives the introductory speech he wrote the day before; David Heath MP, Lord Garden and Lord Goodhart all speak in the debate; and David Howarth MP - whose article in the Times first alerted us to the issue - sums up. The vote is overwhelming; no-one opposes the motion, which now becomes the party's policy on the matter. Both Lord Garden and David Howarth thank Harlow publicly for bringing the issue to conference, as does party president Simon Hughes MP in a conversation with David at the end of the conference.

There are various committee reports, and then a debate on aviation and ways to reduce its impact on the environment. Watford Mayor Dorothy Thornhill and her council group give a presentation on their achievements.

Finally, after a financial appeal from the party treasurer, a short speech from Simon Hughes, and an even shorter one from Dunfermline by-election winner Willie Rennie (who's not in the hall when he's introduced, causing an anxious few minutes and a high-level 'hunt the speaker' frenzy), it's Ming Campbell's first conference speech as party leader. "For those of you who think I'm going to be just a caretaker leader," he tells us, "I have a statistic. The last Ming dynasty lasted 267 years." The hall erupts. It's an excellent performance, a strong speech, and we're all very much encouraged that the new leadership is off to a good start.

Conference is over; it's time to join the queue at Betty's for afternoon tea, pop into Farrah's for Harrogate toffee and presents from the delicatessen for the family, and then home down the A1. It's been a good conference.